Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Theriogenology

The present study was designed to determine the ability of bovine serum albumin (BSA), trehalose (Tr) and zinc (Zn) {u2013} supplemented in semen extender to improve stallion sperm quality parameters during storage at + 5{u00BA}C and cryopreservation. Semen was collected from four pure Arab stallions (10 to 12 years old) on a regular basis (one ejaculate / week) for three months. After collection, semen was evaluated using conventional methods. Centrifugation of gel free fraction at 600 xg for 15 min for partial removal of seminal plasma was done. Dilution of pelleted spermatozoa using INRA-82 extender containing different concentrations of BSA (0, 10, 15 and 20 mg/ml), trehalose (0, 75, 100 and 150 mM) and zinc sulphate (0, 100, 150 and 200 æM) was performed. Then, diluted semen was cooled at + 5{u00B0}C and cryopreserved at 196{u00B0}C. With regard to the studied spermatozoa parameters (progressive motility, live percentage, total abnormalities, viability index and plasma and acrosomal membrane integrities), the effect of BSA (10 mg / ml) , trehalose (150 mM) and zinc sulphate (200 æM) on cooled-stored (+ 50 C) and frozen spermatozoa was significantly ( p {u02C2} 0.05) superior to the other concentrations used. In view of results of this study, it can be concluded that cold-storage (+50 C) and freeze-thaw processing of spermatozoa of Arab stallion in the presence of BSA 10 mg/ml, trehalose 150 mM and zinc sulphate 200 æM achieved a significant amelioration in the maintenance of ejaculated sperm quality parameters

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