Use of Rhea americana egg yolk in substitution to chicken egg yolk in equine semen extenders

Use of Rhea americana egg yolk in substitution to chicken egg yolk in equine semen extenders

van der Linden L d S, Bustamante-Filho I C, Duglio Schiavo S, Maciel M A P, Farias Rodrigues M, dos Santos S I, Mattos R C, Pires Neves A

DOI: 10.21836/PEM20140110
Year: 2014
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
Pages: 61-64

The aim of this study compared the use of two commercial equine semen extenders supplemented with chicken egg yolk or Rhea americana egg yolk as a lipid source. Ejaculates from six Criollo stallions were visually and microscopically evaluated. Semen samples were divided in two aliquots and diluted in centrifugation extender. Each aliquot was mixed with 2 different commercial semen extenders with chicken or Rhea egg yolk for further cryopreservation. All the thawed samples were checked for total and progressive motility, physical and functional membrane integrity (HOST test and CFDA-PI fluorescence) 1 week or more after cryopreservation. The best results were observed between the commercial semen extenders but there was no strong evidence of Rhea egg yolk to enhance total and progressive sperm motility. However, Rhea egg yolk as an alternative lipid source improved the sperm membrane functionality in both commercial equi- ne semen extenders. The use of Rhea egg yolk might be a good replacement to supplement commercial equine semen extenders.