The quality and fertilizing potential of red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) epididymal spermatozoa stored in a liquid state – a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to assess the quality and fertilizing potential of red deer epididymal spermatozoa stored in a liquid state for up to 11 days (D11). In Experiment 1, sperm quality was determined. In Experiment 2, the efficiency in vitro fertilization (IVF) and artificial insemination (AI) of stored sperm were evaluated. An analysis of sperm quality on D5 of storage revealed a decrease ( P  < 0.05) in motility, morphology, and a higher proportion of apoptotic spermatozoa. On D1, D7 and D10, the total motility of sperm for IVF and AI was determined at 82.6%, 71.0% and 64.8%, respectively. The results of IVF and AI demonstrated that the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa differ between days of storage. The percentage of blastocysts was higher when oocytes were fertilized with D1 (17.4%) than and D7 (8.5%) and D10 sperm (10.5%). Differences were noted in the pregnancy rates of inseminated hinds. The insemination with D1, D7 and D10 sperm led to live births (33% on D7 and D10). The results indicate that the quality of red deer epididymal spermatozoa remains satisfactory during ten days of storage in a liquid state, and that these spermatozoa maintain their fertility potential.