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Bull and Line Differences in the Survival of Spermatozoa after Freezing and Thawing¹

Department of Dairy Husbandry, University of Wisconsin and Dairy Husbandry Research Branch, USDA, Madison, Wisconsin

ABSTRACT

A study of the differences among bulls, among different inbred lines, and among different periods in the survivability of spermatozoa was made before and after freezing with 12 Holstein-Friesian bulls representing six inbred lines.

A marked difference was observed among bulls in the ability of their spermatozoa to withstand freezing, although there were no significant differences prior to freezing. No line differences were observed at any of the pre- or post-freezing periods and as such this study does not indicate any evidence of genetic difference in the survival of spermatozoa before or after freezing. Although the rate of decrease in motility of spermatozoa with time in storage at the temperature used in this study differed among bulls, the per cent of motile spermatozoa after 12 weeks storage generally could be predicted immediately after freezing. A highly significant decline in the per cent survival of spermatozoa was observed from period to period. The rate of decline was the highest during the first two weeks after freezing.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Research Committee of the Graduate School from funds supplied by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, by a grant from the Emmons Blaine, Jr., Fund, and by grants from Badger Breeders' Cooperative, Consolidated Breeders' Cooperative, East Central Breeders' Cooperative, Southern Wisconsin Breeders' Cooperative, and Tri-State Breeders' Cooperative. It is a contribution from the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station as a collaborator under the North Central Region Cooperative Research Project entitled "Improvement of Dairy Cattle Through Breeding — NC-2," conducted in cooperation with the Dairy Husbandry Research Branch, USDA.

² Agent of the Dairy Husbandry Research Branch, USDA