Semen quality and its relationship to fertility are major concern in animal production. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between frozen thawed sperm characteristics and fertility following in vivo fertility through Artificial Insemination (AI). Semen samples were collected from four buffalo bulls. Semen volume and sperm concentration appeared to be significantly different (P<0.05) among bulls, while sperm motility and live sperm percentage did not vary in fresh semen. Frozen thawed semen was evaluated for motility, viability, sperm abnormalities, membrane integrity and in vivo fertility. A significant variation was found in semen parameters among bulls after thawing. Highly significant (P<0.001) differences in membrane integrity between fresh vs. frozen semen samples were noticed. Pregnancy rate was significantly (P<0.05) different among bulls. Signifi-cant correlations were found between motility and sperm abnormalities (r=-0.64; P<0.05) and membrane integ-rity (r=0.64; P<0.05). A significant negative correlation (r=-0.73; P<0.01) has been reported between sperm abnormalities and membrane integrity. In addition, a correlation between pregnancy rate and live sperm percent-ages (r=0.65; P<0.05), has also been reported. In conclusion, in this study motility was correlated with sperm abnormalities and membrane integrity. Live sperm percentage was the only parameter correlated with fertility. Motility and live sperm percentage can be used as a predicative measure in semen evaluation. |
