The importance of concentration in calculating semen doses for farming

Improving reproductive efficiency in the livestock industry is a primary goal for producers.

The relationship between semen doses used in artificial insemination (AI) and semen quality is a crucial factor in the reproductive efficiency of livestock farms.

The objective and accurate assessment of semen quality through CASA systems is essential in making decisions to select the most suitable semen doses. These systems allow for standardized and rapid evaluation of semen quality, providing producers with a valuable tool to maximize reproductive efficiency in their operations. Therefore, optimizing semen doses on livestock farms can significantly improve reproductive performance. Thus, the combination of technologies such as CASA systems and good practices in artificial insemination enables producers to achieve optimal sperm concentration and appropriate motility to achieve higher conception rates.

Numerous studies indicate that sperm from doses with high sperm concentration may have lower motility due to insufficient energy substrate (Flowers, 1997) or a lower proportion of buffer substances, as the amount of lactic acid produced is proportional to sperm concentration (Marcos et al., 1991). It is logical to assume, then, that semen doses with low concentration would have better sperm quality since they are subjected to greater availability of nutrients and buffers (high dilution rate). However, high dilutions could cause osmotic shock (Flowers, 1997) or provoke a proportional reduction in protective components of seminal plasma (Weitze et al., 2011). Therefore, doses with low sperm concentration could also negatively affect sperm motility.

These results support the importance of adopting science and technology-based approaches in the livestock industry, maximizing profitability and sustainability in the sector. A greater focus on optimizing semen doses is a key step towards reproductive success in today's livestock farms!

REFERENCES:

Flowers, W. (1997). Management of boars for efficient semen production. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility. Supplement, 52, 67–78.

Marcos, C. P., Sanchez, R., Palacio, M., Pursel, V., Garcia, T. P., & Rille, S. M. (1991). Effects of dilution rate on the motility and acrosome morphology of boar spermatozoa stored at 15°C. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 26, 112–116.

Weitze, K. F., Le, X. T., & Waberski, D. (2011). Influence of seminal plasma and extender on the quality of highly diluted boar semen. Animal Reproduction Science, 46, 97–98.