Antioxidant supplementation and purifcation of semen for improved artifcial insemination in livestock species

Abstract

Improving sire reproductive performance in artificial insemination (AI) programs and maximizing the use of sires withvaluable genomes are high on the list of priorities for livestock breeders in the United States and worldwide. While fxed-time AI andaccurate estrous detection have already ameliorated the reproductive management of cows and sows, substantial gains remain to bemade in the selection and utilization of male animals for feld AI. In addition to better, more objective evaluation of breeding soundnessand semen quality, numbers of spermatozoa per AI dose could be reduced and numbers of AI doses per collection could be increasedwithout sacrifcing conception rates if the fttest spermatozoa can be purifed from raw semen and protected from adverse effects ofdying and decaying spermatozoa present in both the fresh and the extended semen. The present article reviews recent progress inmethodology for semen purifcation, including nanopurifcation and semen/extender supplementation with antioxidants.