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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous oxytocin and PGF2a on seminal quality and libido sexualis in bucks. To investigate the role of these hormones on male fertility, semen samples from 20 Norduz bucks (3-4 years of age) were collected with an artificial vagina twice a week with five replications in breeding season. Bucks were randomly assigned to five groups, control group was administered with 2 mL of sodium chloride, 0.9% (w/v)) i.m., whilst the experimental groups were administered with oxytocin 10 IU, i.v. (Group 1, n = 5), oxytocin 20 IU, i.v. (Group 2, n = 5), PGF2a 5 mg, i.m. (Group 3, n = 5) or PGF2a 10 mg, i.m. (Group 4, n = 5) 20 min before each collection. There was no statistical difference between the treatment groups in terms of motility (P>0.05). However, semen volume, concentration, abnormal spermatozoa rate, intact membrane rate and libido results were statistically significant among the different groups (P<0.05). As a result, administration of 20 IU oxytocin twenty minutes prior to semen collection in bucks did not improve overall semen quality, however, libido, semen volume, and sperm concentrations were increased. In contrast to oxytocin, PGF2a administration has led to a slight decrease in libido and has shown moderate effects on semen quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to compare the use and effectiveness of two different stains, one fixative solution and Motile Sperm Organelle Morphology Examination (MSOME) on morphological characteristics of spermatozoa in fresh dog semen samples from epididymis. After routine castration, cauda epididymides were collected from 20 dog testes. Morphological abnormalities were evaluated by using Hancock's buffered formol saline solution, the aniline blue stain, Diff-Quik stain and MSOME analysis in epididymal semen. Conventional semen analysies and MSOME were simultaneously performed on the same sample from each dog. Percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, head abnormality and acrosomal defects were significantly higher in samples with two different staining methods and one fixative solution than MSOME technique. It was concluded that the usage of the Aniline blue stain may be an efficient method for evaluating the sperm morphology of dog semen. Although no correlation was established amoung four different methods on sperm morphology assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different temperatures and doses on stallion sperm survival after 24 h and 48 h short-term storage. Ejaculates from four warm-blooded stallions were used in this study. Ejaculates were collected by an open-ended artificial vagina which separates fractions of semen into sterile plastic cups. Only the second and third fractions (spermatozoa-rich fractions) were used to obtain spermatozoa for the experiment. Semen was diluted with INRA 96 extender to final concentrations of 50, 100, 200 and 400×106sp/ml. Diluted semen were stored at different temperatures (2, 4 or 8°C) for 24-48 h. After 24 h and 48 h cooled storage, spermatozoon motility, abnormal spermatozoon ratio and membrane integrity were evaluated. According to results the highest motility values (52.5% and 55%) were determined at 50 and 100 ×106sp/ml concentration at 4°C after 24 h cooled storage After 48 h of storage, the highest motility was obtained from semen stored at 8°C. Abnormal spermatozoon and membrane integrity values were not significantly different after cooled storage. Consequently, it was determined that semen with 50 and 100 million spermatozoa/ml concentration stored at 4°C for 24 h and semen with 50,100, 200, 400 million spermatozoa/ml concentration stored at 8°C tor 48 h gave better results with respect to motility than the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to examine correlations of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels with age, ovarian function and fertility performance in purebred Arabian mares and to assess the potential use of AMH concentrations as a fertility indicator for the selection of breeder animals. For this purpose, thirty-six non-lactating purebred Arabian mares with no previous fertility problems constituted the material of the study. The animals were assigned to groups according to their age: Group I (aged 4-8 years), group II (9-18 years) and group III (19-25 years). Mean serum AMH concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.001) in group II (0.873±0.096 ng/mL) than in groups I (0.466±0.051 ng/mL) and III (0.347±0.068 ng/mL). Furthermore, serum AMH concentration was positively correlated with the daily increase in ovarian follicle diameter as well with mares with higher conception rates. It was also negatively correlated with anovulation and number of mating per conception. In summary, a strong relationship was found between peripheral AMH concentrations and fertility performance in purebred Arabian mares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]