Conservation of camel genetic resources: epididymal sperm recovery

Camels represent part of the Arab heritage. The interest in developing assisted reproductive technologies and cryobanking for the conservation of animal genetic resources has recently increased. However, semen collections in camelids present many problems as sitting position during copulation, slow ejaculation and difficult animal handling. In these cases epididymal sperm from slaughtered or recently died animals will increase the opportunities to create semen storages. The present work was designed to assess motility of camel epididymal sperm extended in Ovixcell(r) and in Tris-fructose-egg yolk semen extender. Spermatozoa were extracted from 16 epididymides using the retrograde flushing technique, washing sperm cells in a retrograde direction from the ductus deferens through the cauda epididymidis with a syringe loaded with warmed (37°C) extender. Total motility was evaluated after 15 minute of incubation in a water bath at 37°C under phase-contrast microscopy using a pre-warmed (37°C) Makler Chamber. Total motility was similar in Ovixcell(r) or Tris-fructose-egg yolk semen extender (52.8 ± 0.7% vs 41.22 ± 33.56%, respectively). Further studies aiming to the test the fertilizing capacity should be carried out in order to confirm the optimal testicles storage condition for the creation of semen cryo storages in camels.