Storage of ram semen in liquid and frozen state, the diluents used for both methods, processing, cooling, freezing and thawing of semen are reviewed. Factors influencing the fertility of stored semen and methods used for improvement are discussed, and fertility results of long-term frozen stored ram semen are also given.

Objective To prospectively monitor Zika viral loads in semen from Belgian travellers with confirmed Zika virus infection, who returned from the Americas during the 2016 Zika virus epidemic. Methods We recruited symptomatic travellers consulting our clinic and we confirmed infection with either reverse-transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay or virus neutralization test. The p...

Some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been found in human semen but until this point it was unclear whether polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) could be detected in human semen. In this study, PBDEs were found for the first time in human semen samples (n=101) from Taizhou, China. The concentrations of total PBDEs (∑PBDEs) varied from 15.8 to 86.8 pg/g ww (median=31.3 pg/g ww) and 53...

The mobility of pooled turkey sperm following various storage regimens was assessed by objectively measuring the ability of sperm to penetrate a 2% Accudenz [5-(N-2,3-dihydroxypropylacetamido)-2,4,6-tri-iodo-N,N'-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)isophthalamide] solution at 41 C. When semen was diluted with Beltsville poultry semen extender and stored at 5 C with agitation at 150 rpm, sperm mobility decl...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of in vitro supplementation of selenium on fresh and frozen spermatozoa quality of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls. Five healthy buffalo bulls (5 ejaculates from each bull) were used. Each ejaculate was diluted at 37 ˚C with tris-based extender containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 µg mL(-1) sodium selenite and the sperm motility a...

A field trial was conducted on several hundred farms in The Netherlands to compare the fertilizing capacity of boar spermatozoa stored for 1, 2, or 3 d at 18 C in either Kiev or Beltsville liquid extender (BL-1). Two storage volumes (25 and 100 ml) were used. Twelve Dutch Landrace boars, all in routine commercial artificial insemination service, provided the semen in twice-a-week collections. O...

This study was conducted to evaluate rabbit semen characterization before freezing and after thawing. Also, to determine the sex ratio of rabbit offspring’s after artificial insemination (AI) using semen selected by Percoll or swim up method. Semen was collected from New Zealand white rabbit bucks (n=9) and 45 rabbit does in three groups (15 in each) were inseminated with frozen semen (control,...

Artificial insemination of dairy cattle is a common practice in the developing world that can improve farmer incomes and food security. Maintaining the fertilizing potential of frozen semen as it is manipulated, transported and stored is crucial to the success of this process. Here we describe simple technological improvements to protect semen from inadvertent thermal fluctuations that occur wh...

The authors examine the implications for individuals and society of how semen is provided for use in donor insemination treatment. In particular, they focus on whether 'donors' make a gift of their semen or are paid. The role of health professionals in shaping the nature and meaning of semen provision is also explored. The currently predominant practice of buying semen is compared with other re...

UNLABELLED To investigate the relationship between Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infection and semen quality. METHODS From 2001 to 2003, 346 eligible patients aged 20-45 years were invited from two hospitals in Shanghai, China, to participate in an investigation which included questionnaires about general and reproductive health, an external genital tract examination, UU culture and semen analy...