COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SPERM HARVESTED FROM THE EQUINE EPIDIDYMAL CAUDA

Abstract

The recovery of spermatozoa from the epididymal cauda and its cryopreservation represents a great technological advance, since it is the last possibility to preserve genetic material from dead or deceased valuable males. It is known that after death, spermatozoa remain viable in the epididymis for some time until decomposition affects its viability. Two recovery techniques are commonly used in equine epididymal sperm: flotation and retrograde flush. Studies in both deep uterine and intracytoplasmatic sperm injection (ICSI) with cryopreserved semen obtained from cauda epididymis have shown satisfactory results. Based on the possibility of harvest and fertility results, we can conclude that these spermatozoa can be used in artificial reproduction techniques, in order to obtain products from genetic valuable animals. The aim of the present study was to review the main techniques of recovery, preservation and use of epididymal sperm in horses.