Comparison the effects of lecitine, egg yolk and milk as extenders on preservation of Zandi ram semen in cool condition

The goal of this study was investigation of the effect of different semen extender including milk (M), Tris-egg yolk (TEY), and Tris-soybean lecithin (TSL) on ram sperm quality during cool storage condition. Semen was collected from four rams using artificial vagina. Afterward, ejaculates were pooled and then divided into three aliquots. Aliquots were diluted with either M, TEY or TSL based extenders and stored at 5°C for 48 hours. Total motility, progressive motility, and sperm viability were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, 24, and 48 hours after starting the experiment. The results showed as the experiment proceeds, the total and progressive motility significantly decreased in each three treatments. Also, total and progressive motility had no significant difference between three treatments, in exception of 3 hours after starting the experiment. Sperm viability as the experiment proceeds, significantly decreased in each three treatments, but there was no significant difference between different treatments. The results of this experiment show total motility, progressive motility, and sperm viability when semen was diluted with TSL extender had no significant difference in comparison with M and TEY extenders. So, TSL as an animal protein free extender can be an appropriate substitute for semen extenders containing milk and egg yolk to store ram semen in cool condition.