Separation of sperm from seminal plasma using enzyme and centrifugation in camel semen — ASN Events

Separation of sperm from seminal plasma using enzyme and centrifugation in camel semen (#225)

Maryam Keshavarz 1 , Amir Niasari naslaji 1 , Hamid Zare 2 , Soudeh Ziapour 1 , Mohaddeseh Mirtavousi 1 , Ali Akbar Moosavi Movahedi 2 , Nasrin poursasan
  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, TEH, Iran
  2. Developmental Biology, Institute of biophysics and biochemistry(IBB), Tehran, TEH, Iran

The viscous nature of camel semen even after dilution limits its processing, evaluation and preservation. Thread test is a common approach to evaluate semen viscosity. Although this method is simple, it may not be accurate and applicable for diluted semen. This study presented an alternative method to assess diluted camel semen viscosity using enzyme and centrifugation approach. Semen was collected using phantom from 5 bulls (total samples=10). Immediately after collection, semen was diluted in Shotor diluents (1:11) and stirred (150 rpm) for 5 min and divided into two fractions. One fraction was treated with Ficin (0/05mg/ml) and stirred for further 10 min. The counterpart fraction (control) did not receive enzyme and stirred for 10 min. Following termination of enzyme exposure, semen, in 15 ml conical tube, was centrifuged at 600g (25°C) for 7 min. All procedures prior to centrifugation, were carried out inside incubator set at 35°C. The formation of pellet at the bottom of conical tube and its separation from supernatant were considered as the reduction of semen viscosity. In semen treated with Ficin, the pellet formed at the bottom of tube and separated from supernatant easily. However, in control tubes, the pellet formed at the wall of the tube and could not be separated from supernatant.  In conclusion, Ficin treatment followed by centrifugation could enhance the separation of sperm from seminal plasma in diluted camel semen.