EVALUATION OF FROZEN SEMEN STORED IN PROVINCIAL AND FIELD STATIONS IN BICOL REGION, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

 This study described the storage, handling and quality of frozen semen samples used in artificial insemination (AI) in cattle and Philippine water buffalo at provincial and field stations in Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon in Bicol region, Philippines. Frozen semen straw samples were analyzed for motility, viability and morphology at the Philippine Carabao Center, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija. Interviewed were three Provincial AI coordinators and 26 AI technicians involved in AI. Frozen semen straws from the National Artificial Breeding Center and Philippine Carabao Center were stored in center tanks at the regional station in Camarines Sur where these are distributed to the different municipalities of Camarines Sur, and the provincial stations (Albay and Sorsogon). In Albay and Sorsogon, center tanks served as storage tanks and “station thawing” was commonly practiced during conduct of AI. In Camarines Sur, AI technicians used field tanks as storage tank. Storage rooms for center and field tanks were spare rooms without air-condition or corners inside offices. Number of handlers of frozen semen who were also trained AI technicians ranged from one to four. Storage of frozen semen samples ranged from few days to one year. Percent post-thaw motility (PTM) did not deteriorate based on subjective evaluation. However, computer-assisted sperm analysis showed 23.53% of samples had <70% PTM. There was highly significant reduction (p ≤ 0.01) in percent live and normal sperm when data from source was compared with results of laboratory analysis. Percentage abnormal sperm was higher in semen from cattle bulls.