Effect of Air Space in Storage Vials on Motility of Spermatozoa in Chilled Buck Semen

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to find out the effect of air space on the top of glass vial in which semen is

stored, on the motility of spermatozoa. 45 samples collected from two bucks over a span of 6 months were used

for experiment. Goat milk extender was the diluent used. Two ml each of diluted semen after noting their initial

motility was stored in 2 ml and 5 ml vials. Samples were stored at 5°C and motility of spermatozoa noted at 24

and 48 hours. Semen without air space was found to preserve the motility better than semen with air space on

24 and 48 hours of incubation. This could be better attributed to reactive oxygen species production by the

spermatozoa, but further investigation is needed in this aspect to confirm it.