Semen quality in Katahdin sheep: effect of collection frequency and number of ejaculates in fresh and post-thawed semen

Victor Manuel Meza Villalvazo, Jose Abad Zavaleta, Emilia Lliteras-Martínez, Wilbert Hernández Montiel, Isabel Osorio Teran, Alfonso Chay Canul, Alfredo Trejo Cordova

Abstract


Background: The fertility of the flock depends largely on the male, so the selection of studs with high genetic potential and good semen quality is essential. The frequency of collection directly influences sperm parameters such as volume, concentration, motility, and viability, with variations depending on species and breed. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the number and frequency of ejaculate collection on pre- and post-freezing semen characteristics in Katahdin sheep. Methodology: Fifteen one-year-old males were used, divided into three groups according to collection frequency: high (every 2 days), medium (every 4 days), and low (every 8 days). Semen parameters such as volume, motility, concentration, vitality, and DNA fragmentation were analyzed in both fresh and post-thaw semen. Results: Motility was significantly lower in the high frequency group (67.4 ± 6.5%) compared to the medium (73.9 ± 6.0%) and low (72.3 ± 8.7%) frequency groups (p ≤ 0.05), with no differences between the latter two groups. Sperm concentration decreased in the high frequency group (3001.66 ± 709.7 * 10⁶/mL) compared to the medium (4024.15 ± 595.1 * 10⁶/mL) and low (4035.44 ± 420.7 * 10⁶/mL) frequency groups (p ≤ 0.05). Vitality was lower in the high frequency (72.6 ± 6.5%) compared to the medium (78.6 ± 4.7%) and low (78.3 ± 5.9%) (p ≤ 0.05). DNA fragmentation increased in the second ejaculate of the high frequency group (16.3 ± 4.2%) compared to the medium (11.5 ± 3.7%) and low (10.4 ± 2.8%) frequency groups (p ≤ 0.05). After cryopreservation, motility of the second ejaculate was lower in the high frequency group (39.2 ± 6.3%) compared to the medium (45.7 ± 5.9%) and low (46.3 ± 5.2%) frequency groups (p ≤ 0.05). Implications: High collection frequency reduces semen quality in Katahdin sheep, negatively affecting critical parameters such as motility, concentration, vitality, and DNA stability. Optimizing extraction frequency not only promotes semen preservation and reproductive program efficiency, but also contributes to animal welfare by avoiding excessive collections that compromise semen quality. Conclusion: Collection frequency and number of ejaculates significantly influence semen quality in Katahdin sheep. Too frequent collections decrease sperm motility, concentration, and vitality, in addition to increasing DNA fragmentation, especially in the second ejaculate. Key words: Seminal parameters; Katahdin sheep; DNA fragmentation; cryopreservation.

Keywords


Seminal parameters; Katahdin sheep; DNA fragmentation; cryopreservation.

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References


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URN: http://www.revista.ccba.uady.mx/urn:ISSN:1870-0462-tsaes.v28i3.62383

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.56369/tsaes.6238

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Copyright (c) 2025 VICTOR MANUEL MEZA VILLALVAZO, Jose Abad Zavaleta, Emilia Lliteras-Martínez, Wilbert Hernández Montiel, Isabel Osorio Teran, Alfonso Chay Canul, Alfredo Trejo Cordova

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