Volume 15, Issue 1: 2025 - Article 185

Abstract
Sperm recovery from the cauda-epididymis can be very useful after the unexpected death of an animal with superior genetic traits.  This study evaluated the effects of storage time at 4℃ on the quality of cauda-epididymal spermatozoa recovered from White Fulani bulls after slaughter. Testes along with their epididymides of 20 White Fulani bulls were recovered after slaughter and stored at 4℃ in the refrigerator for 0 – 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours, after which the quality of the cauda-epididymal spermatozoa was analyzed following standard procedures.  Each group consisted of four pairs of testes-epididymides. Results showed that sperm motility (%) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 24 hours and 48 hours of storage compared with 0 – 3 hours group, which served as the control.  Sperm viability (%) did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the 0 – 3, 6, 12 and 24 hour groups. However, there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in sperm viability (%) after 48 hours of storage when compared with the 0 – 3 hour group. Acrosome integrity (%) significantly (p < 0.05) declined after 48 hours of storage when compared with the 0 – 3 hour group, but no significant difference (p > 0.05) was detected between 0 – 3 hour group and the 6, 12 and 24-hour groups in acrosome integrity. The percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology increased significantly (p < 0.05) after 24 hours and 48 hours of storage when compared with the 0 – 3 hour group, however there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between 0 – 3 hour group and the 6 and 12 hour groups. No significant difference p > 0.05 was observed in the sperm concentration between the groups.   The results of this study showed that viable epididymal spermatozoa with intact acrosomes can be recovered from the cauda-epididymis of slaughtered White Fulani bulls stored at 4℃ for up to 24 hours.


Keywords: Epididymal spermatozoa; Cold storage time; White Fulani bulls; Sperm evaluation; Assisted reproduction technologies; Sperm recovery.

How to cite this article:
Chima MU, Nweze EC, Akomas CS and Ezeonyido AC (2025). Effects of cold storage time on the quality of epididymal sperm recovered from White Fulani bulls after slaughter. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(1): 1005 – 1013.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     uchechima01@gmail.com      Phone: +234803600901

Effects of cold storage time on the quality of epididymal sperm recovered from White Fulani bulls after slaughter
Macnissi U. Chima *, Ernest C. Nweze, Chinonye S. Akomas and Anthonia C. Ezeonyido

Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine,      Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, PMB 7267 Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

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