Effect of milk based extenders on motility and acrosomal integrity of buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa at 5°C.

This study was designed to compare six different milk based extenders for the liquid storage of NiliRavi buffalo bull semen. Semen was collected from three Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls with artificial vagina (42°C) at weekly intervals (n=5). Semen was diluted (at 37°C) with six milk based extenders; homogenized milk (HOM), whole buffalo milk (BUF), whole cow milk (COW), whole camel milk (CAM), modified homogenized milk (MOD) and skimmed milk (SKIM). After dilution, semen was cooled to 5°C in 2 h and then it was refrigerated at 5°C for 96 h. Sperm motility (%) and normal acrosomal ridge (NAR; %) were recorded at 24 h intervals till 96 h. Sperm motility did not differ up to 72 h of storage in all experimental extenders, while higher (P 0.05) in SKIM, COW, BUF and HOM extenders at 24 h of storage. However, at 72 and 96 h of storage, values for NAR were higher (P<0.05) in SKIM and COW compared to HOM, BUF, CAM and MOD extenders. The values of NAR in terms of least square means remained higher (P<0.05) for SKIM and COW extenders compared to other extenders. In conclusion, skimmed milk based extender was found superior for chilled buffalo semen stored at 5°C.