Reasons for centrifugation
Centrifugation is often necessary for cooled-transported stallion semen to improve sperm quality and extend its viability for artificial insemination. Centrifugation helps remove seminal plasma, which can negatively impact sperm longevity and motility, and concentrates sperm, potentially improving the number of motile sperm per dose.
The benefits of better quality are particularly noticeable when storing for 24 hours or more. The longer the semen is stored or transported, the more beneficial centrifugation becomes. Therefore, centrifugation should be carried out, especially when shipping semen.
- Better motility. In 1991, Cornell University published a study from Padilla and Foote which showed a significant higher motility of samples stored for 72h when semen was centrifuged in a modified extender compared to uncentrifuged semen. (1)
- Less acrosome damage and more progressively motile sperm cells. In 2000 a team from Kansas State University showed higher acrosome intact sperm cells when semen was centrifuged prior to storage, especially when concentration was higher than 25 mio sperm cells per ml. In addition, this study showed a positive effect on the percentage progressively motile sperm cells after a 48h storage when samples were centrifuged. (2)
- Less DNA damage due to seminal plasma. A study from Texas A&M University in 2004 found that centrifugation and removal of the supernatant resulted in significantly lower sperm DNA damage than uncentrifuged semen samples. (3)
The benefits of better quality are particularly noticeable when storing for 24 hours or more. The longer the semen is stored or transported, the more beneficial centrifugation becomes. Therefore, centrifugation should be carried out, especially when shipping semen.
- (1) Padilla AW, Foote RH. Extender and centrifugation effects on the motility patterns of slow cooled stallion spermatozoa. J Anim Sci 1991;69:3308-3313.
- (2) Dawson GR, Webb GW, Pruitt JA, Loughin TM, Arns MJ. Effect of different processing techniques on motility and acrosomal integrity of cold-stored stallion spermatozoa. J Equine Vet Sci 2000;20:191-194.
- (3) Love CC, Brinsko SP, Rigby SL, Thompson JA, Blanchard TL, Varner DD. Relationship of seminal plasma level and extender type to sperm motility and DNA integrity. Theriogenology 2005;63:1584-1591.
