Elsevier

Theriogenology

Volume 41, Issue 1, January 1994, Pages 45-50
Theriogenology

Main Program
Relationship of semen quality to sperm transport, fertilization, and embryo quality in ruminants*

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(05)80047-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Success of a mating is dependent upon both quality and quantity of semen delivered to the female. Males differ not only in fertility at all inseminate dosages, but also in the minimum number of sperm per inseminate required to reach maximum fertility. Thus, two aspects of a male's semen quality become important — that which is compensable, where increasing sperm dosage to the female results in a response in fertility, and that which is uncompensable, where differences in fertility among males can no longer be removed by increasing sperm dosage. Compensable traits of semen are those believed to be associated with the inability of sperm to reach the site of fertilization or to initiate the block to polyspermy by penetration of the ovum vestments. Uncompensable traits appear to be associated with the inability of fertilizing sperm to sustain the fertilization process and/or development of the early embryo. It is now important in the evaluation of semen and the male that these two aspects of reproductive deficiency be considered independently. There is also accumulating evidence that low sperm numbers at the site of fertilization (low competition among sperm), due either to problems of male (inseminator) or female origin, may favor fertilization by less competent sperm that may be unable to complete the fertilization process or sustain the young embryo.

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    *

    Acknowledgements. Our research on the quantity and quality of accessory sperm was supported by Select Sires Inc., Plain City OH and the Nat'l. Assoc. Anim. Breeders, Columbia MO

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