Comparison of cushioned centrifugation and SpermFilter filtration on longevity and morphology of cooled-stored equine semen.
Authors: Roach J, Schnobrich M, Ellerbrock R, Feijo L, Bradecamp E, Alvarenga M A, Kline K, Canisso I
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Seminal Plasma Removal Methods in Cooled Equine Semen Storage When preparing stallion ejaculates for cooled storage, removing seminal plasma can improve sperm longevity, but the optimal technique remains debated; this investigation directly compared cushioned centrifugation against SpermFilter filtration to determine which better preserves sperm quality during five-day refrigeration at 5°C. Researchers divided ejaculates into control, filtration and centrifugation groups, extended them to 25 million sperm/ml in skim-milk-based medium, then tracked total and progressive motility at 24-hour intervals using computer-assisted analysis, alongside morphological assessment via differential interference microscopy. Cushioned centrifugation significantly outperformed the filter group for progressive motility (P<0.001) and marginally exceeded control samples (P=0.03), whilst total motility showed no meaningful difference between filtration and control groups; morphological parameters—normal cells and detached heads—remained consistent across all treatments. For breeding facilities with centrifuge capability, cushioned centrifugation offers measurable advantages in progressive motility preservation over cooled storage periods, directly benefiting conception rates in mares receiving chilled semen. However, the modest practical differences suggest that farms without access to centrifugation equipment can reliably use SpermFilter as a viable alternative without substantially compromising semen viability, making this an important consideration when establishing semen collection protocols relative to available equipment.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •For stallion breeding operations, cushioned centrifugation should be the preferred method for seminal plasma removal if equipment is available, as it preserves progressive motility better than filtration over the 72-hour storage period
- •SpermFilter offers a practical alternative for farms without centrifuge access, though differences in performance compared to centrifugation are modest enough that either method is acceptable
- •Standard morphology assessment does not differentiate between the two seminal plasma removal methods, so decision-making should focus on motility outcomes and practical farm considerations
Key Findings
- •Cushioned centrifugation produced significantly higher progressive motility (%PM) compared to filtration (P<0.001) and control (P=0.03) groups after 72 hours of cooled storage
- •Total motility (%TM) was significantly higher in centrifugation group versus filtration, but not significantly different from control
- •No significant differences were found between groups for percentage of morphologically normal sperm cells or detached sperm heads
- •Cushioned centrifugation was superior for seminal plasma removal and sperm preservation during three-day cooled storage at 5°C