Effect of three diluent types and equilibration times on the quality and fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) semen

Abstract

The present research was conducted to determine the effects of three types of diluents and three equilibration times on the quality of buffalo semen. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design having two factors, i.e., diluent types (tris egg-yolk, Andromed, and Triladyl) and equilibration times (3, 4, and 5 hours). In first stage of experiment, semen samples (n= 60) from two bulls were analyzed for motility (%), abnormality (%), membrane plasma integrity (%), acrosome intact (%), and recovery rate (%). In second stage, semen fertility was tested on buffa-lo-cows (n=90) by calculating the pregnancy rate (%). Results showed that there was an interaction between diluent types and equilibration times on motility, membrane plasma integrity, acrosome intact, and recovery rate. The motility, membrane plasma integrity, acrosome intact, and recovery rate of buffalo sperm was higher (p<0.05) with Andromed diluent than with tris egg-yolk and Triladyl diluents. Furthermore, the best equilibration time for buffalo semen was 5 hours rather than 3 and 4 hours. The pregnancy rate (86.67%) was higher in buffaloes inseminated with Andromed diluent semen compared to tris egg-yolk (83.33%) and Triladyl (56.67%) diluents. In conclusion, Andromed diluent with 5 hours equilibration time have better effect on the characteristics of post-thaw semen and increase the pregnancy rate in swamp buffalo.