Comparison of different extenders with defined protein composition for storage of stallion spermatozoa at 5 degrees C.

To maintain the fertility of stallion spermatozoa during cooled storage, extender media are added to semen. In this study, three semen extenders were compared: EquiPro which contains defined caseinates and whey proteins instead of dried skim milk. The extender is provided in dry form and dissolved in distilled water prior to use. EquiPro TM has the same composition as EquiPro but is provided in a sterilized ready-to-use liquid form. AndroMed-E contains soybean lecithin as protein source. Semen was collected from seven stallions. Ejaculates were divided into three aliquots, diluted with the different extenders and stored at 5 degrees C for 4 days. Total motility, membrane integrity, average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear-velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), distance average path (DAP), distance curved line (DCL) and distance straight line (DSL) were determined by computer-assisted analysis. Total motility decreased in all extenders during storage. The parameters VAP, VCL, VSL, DAP, DCL and DSL in semen diluted in EquiPro TM at most times and in semen diluted in AndroMed-E at some times were lower than in semen diluted in EquiPro (p < 0.05). Viability on days 0 and 4 was lowest in semen diluted in AndroMed-E (p < 0.05). Velocity decreased faster when semen had been diluted in the sterilized liquid extender EquiPro TM or in AndroMed-E compared with the dry formula of EquiPro. Therefore the liquid sterilized EquiPro despite no difference in its chemical composition differs from the dry, non-sterilized EquiPro extender. Heat sterilization apparently changes effects of the extender on spermatozoa.