MSc

A systematic study was carried out on normal characteristics and preservation of buck semen in chilled and frozen conditions.
A total of 240 ejaculates from 3 Malabari and 3 Alpine X Malabari bucks were utilized for the study on normal semen characteristics. The overall average reaction time was 98.86 + 4.309 seconds. Significant positive correlation between reaction time and mass activity was observed. The mean semen volume was found to be 0.55 + 0.017 and 0.72 + 0.015 ml in Mala bari and Alpine X Malabari bucks respectively. Semen volume was significantly higher in cross bred bucks. The colour of buck semen varied from milky yellow to cremy white. The overall density score of buck semen was 3.52 + 0.030 out of four. Mean values for pH of Malabari and Alpine X Malabari semen were 6.74 + 0.026 and 6.74 + 0.019 respectively. Mass activity varied significantly between bucks. Significant difference was noted in motility percentage between breeds. Initial motility was having significant positive correlation with the live sperm percentage. The overall mean live sperm percentage was 90.64 + 0.317. Significant difference in sperm concentration was observed between bucks. Average total sperm abnormalities of 1.65 + 0.183 and 1.14 + 0.093 per cent were noted in Malabari and Alpine X Malabari bucks respectively.
Effect of room temperature and refrigeration temperature glycerolisation of Tris and reconstituted skim milk diluents, each having 0, 1,3 and 7 per cent glycerol, on preservability of buck spermatozoa was studied. Motility and abnormality assessment were made at zero hour to 144 hours, at 24 hours interval. Skim milk diluent with seven per cent glycerol at refrigeration temperature glycerolisation preserved above 30 per cent sperm motility up to 72 hours of storage. No added advantage could be observed in the addition of glycerol at room temperature in skim milk diluent. Tris diluent with one per cent glycerol was found to be suitable for preservation of buck spermatozoa at 5°C, in room temperature and refrigeration temperature glycerolisation. Refrigeration temperature glycerolisation was found to be significantly superior to room temperature glycerolisation in preserving motility percentage in both the Tris and skim milk diluents.
In both the diluents, total abnormality percentages at room temperature glycerolisation were significantly higher than that at refrigeration temperature glycerolisation. With both methods of glycerolisation in Tris and skim milk, the total abnormality percentages were higher as the level of glyoerol increased. The present study revealed an increase in acrosomal defects with the advancement of storage period. The occurence of acrosomal defects was significantly higher in room temperature glycerolisation.
ill
four ejaculates each from six bucks were diluted in Tris and skim milk diluents each with seven per cent glycerol, to study the effect of deep freezing and post-thawing motility. The average post-thawing motility in Tris and skim milk diluent was 44.44 and 31.06 per cent respectively. Tris diluent was found significantly superior to skim milk diluent for freezing buck spermatozoa.