Effects of Different Levels of Trehalose and Different Storage Times in on Dalagh Ram Semen Characteristics in Liquid Condition

Inroduction &

Artificial insemination in sheep is an effective way to improve genetic and reproductive management. One of the vital stages of artificial insemination is the protection of ram sperm during storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of different levels of trehalose sugar and different storage times in Tris-chicken egg yolk and Tris-turkey egg yolk extenders on Dalagh ram semen characteristics in liquid condition.

In this study, for semen sample collection four Dalagh rams in the age of 2- 3 years were used. The samples were diluted in different extenders, then received different trehalose sugar treatments. Semen samples were aspirated into 0.5 ml straws, and were transferred into the refrigerator (5°C). Then at different times, spermatozoa characteristics including percentage of motile and viable sperm and membrane and sperm normality were evaluated. This experiment was carried out in 4×3 factorial arrangement with the use of completely randomized design. Treatments were included different levels of trehalose sugar (0, 80, 100, 120 mM) and different storage times (0, 24 and 48 hours). The data were processed in Excel spread sheet environment and was analyzed by ANOVA procedure of Statistical Analysis System SAS (version 9.1). Comparison of data means were performed by Turkey test at the level of %1 error.

The results showed effects different levels of trehalose sugar and different storage times in Tris- chicken egg yolk and turkey egg yolk extenders on the sperm characteristics were significant (P

For Dalagh ram semen dilution, the use 120 Mm of sugar trehalose in Tris-turkey egg yolk extender at the early hours of storage in liquid condition is effective.