Bull sperm selection for assisted reproduction

Abstract

The sperm population within an ejaculate is heterogeneous, reflecting differing ability to fertilize an oocyte. Selecting sperm sub-populations with certain desired characteristics may have a positive effect on pregnancy rate in assisted reproduction. This review describes different methods of biomimetic selection for bull spermatozoa, focussing particularly on colloid centrifugation. Migration, microfluidics and magnetic activated cell sorting are also described. Several versions of the colloid centrifugation technique known as single layer centrifugation are available, differing in the volume of sperm sample to be processed. Samples can be processed in volumes ranging from 0.25 to 150 mL, in appropriately sized tubes. Processing small volumes of semen (0.25 mL–1.0 mL semen on 1 mL colloid) is best done in a 15 mL tube, since the interface between the semen and colloid is greater than in a 1.5 mL tube. In addition to current applications, future uses of colloid centrifugation are described, for example, as biomarkers of fertility, for improving the semen quality of young bulls, and for removal of pathogens.

Keywords

Biomimetic selection; Colloid centrifugation; Fertilizing ability; Reproductive efficiency; Livestock production

Published in

Title: Frontier Technologies in Bovine Reproduction
ISBN: 978-981-19-3071-3, eISBN: 978-981-19-3072-0Publisher: Springer

SLU Authors

• Morrell, Jane

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Genetics and Breeding
Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-3072-0_5

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/120673