Sephadex and sephadex ion-exchange filtration improves the quality and freezability of low-grade buffalo semen ejaculates

The effect of sephadex and sephadex ion-exchange filtration on the improvement in quality and freezability of low-grade buffalo semen ejaculates was assessed. Two types of filtration columns were used: one containing only sephadex G-10 (FS) and the other sephadex G-10 along with ion-exchangers (diethyl amino ethane-52 (DEAE-52) cellulose and carboxy methyl-52 (CM-52) cellulose; FS+IE). Unfiltered samples served as controls. Semen ejaculates extended in Tris-citric acid (1:4) (n=16; initial motility 40-50%) were filtered at the rate of 1.5 ml/min under negative pressure at room temperature (28-30 degrees C). The mean recovery rate (%) of motile spermatozoa in the FS (85.9+/-1.51) and FS+IE (77.10+/-2.28) filtrates did not differ significantly. Percentages of sperm motility, normal acrosomes, and intact plasma membranes were highest (P<0.05) in FS+IE, intermediate (P<0.05) in FS and lowest (P<0.05) in controls at the three stages of cryopreservation (postfiltration final dilution, after equilibration, and after freezing). Mean sperm abnormalities were lowest (P<0.05) in the filtrates of FS+IE, moderate (P<0.05) in FS and highest in controls at all stages of freezing. Compared to dilution and equilibration, freezing greatly reduced (P<0.05) the overall percent motility, normal acrosomes and intact plasma membranes. The spermatozoa eluted through FS+IE columns proved more resistant (P<0.05) in bearing dilution, equilibration, freezing and thawing stresses than the spermatozoa from FS and control samples. It is concluded that filtration systems containing an FS+IE column can effectively enhance the quality and freezability of extended, low quality buffalo semen.