Collection, evaluation and cryopreservation of llama (L. glama) semen

摘要

In order to test a semen collection technique in llamas (Lama glama) and to study their seminal patterns, semen from 11 males was collected by an artificial vagina. During the experimental period, 72 ejaculates were obtained, 41 of them (57%) showed some kind of sperm motility. Recorded parameters and their averages were: copulation time (11.3+3.0 mm), ejaculated volume (3.6+1.7 ml), motility of native and extended semen (31 .00/o±19.6; 37.00/0+22.2) and sperm concentration (79xl0~3). Sperm morphology was recorded in 28 stained spermiograms. Only an average of 32.5% ±21.5 of spermatozoa was considered normal. The main abnormalities (37.7% ±21.9) were found in the middle pieces. Cryopreservation trials were conducted to compare TRIS and EDTA-extenders prepared with and without surfactant (Equex STM~(R)). Split samples of diluted semen were frozen comparatively at two levels above liquid nitrogen. Motility (MOT) and integrity of acrosomes (AN) were used as quality criteria of thawed semen. The differences of treatments were submitted to ANOVA and multiple range analysis, using Statgraf 5.1. Only TRIS extender had a significant effect (p