In Italy, over the years, there has been a progressive decrease in population of Italian rabbit breeds due to the massive use of high-performing commercial hybrids [1]. The "Cun-Fu 2" project aimed at promoting and supporting the conservation of the Italian rabbit genetic resources and in the meantime improving the productive and reproductive performances by actions for phenotypic, genetic, characterization of different rabbit breeds. In order to provide knowledge on reproductive performances among the breeds the fresh semen quality from different rabbit breeds was assessed. It resulted useful for both the in vivo and in vitro conservation program. In total 21 animals from 4 rabbit breeds were used: Argentata di Champagne (A.R.), Fulva di Borgogna (F.), Blu di Vienna (B.), Leprino di Viterbo (L.V.) were used. Ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina and the following semen parameters were evaluated: volume, concentration (Spectrophotometric analysis), viability (Cytofluorometric technique) and motility (CASA system) [2]. Sperm variables were compared among the breeds using the one-way method ANOVA. No significant differences among the breeds for volume, concentration and total motility were found, whilst significantly higher values of progressive motility were observed in B. (56.5%) and F. (57.9%) compared to L.V. (35.0%). Higher values of motility kinetic parameters (curvilinear velocity and average path velocity) were found in F. (53.0 and 29.7 µm/s) than L.V. (38.8 and 18.2 µm/s) respectively (p<0.05). Lastly, better sperm viability (87.9%) in the F. breed in respect to that in the A.R. breed (75.6%) was shown (p<0.05). The characterization of semen production in Italian recognised rabbit breeds provides a useful tool in predicting the fertilizing ability of each donor. Moreover, the quality of fresh semen is an important prerequisite for successful semen cryopreservation, which is a safe and effective biotechnology for ex situ in vitro program conservation, throughout the establishment of a semen cryobank. Cryopreservation of semen allows long-term storage of male genetic material, which is of strategic importance when in situ conservation methods are ineffective in maintaining genetic variability and preventing breed extinction. The characterization of fresh semen quality in other rabbit breeds and the knowledge of the biological mechanisms that lead to the sperm differences among breed will be our next goals.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON THE SEMEN CHARACTERIZATION OF ITALIAN RABBIT BREEDS
Fabrizio Lauriola;Michele Di Iorio;Giusy Rusco;Letizia Lerza;Nicolaia Iaffaldano
2023-01-01
Abstract
In Italy, over the years, there has been a progressive decrease in population of Italian rabbit breeds due to the massive use of high-performing commercial hybrids [1]. The "Cun-Fu 2" project aimed at promoting and supporting the conservation of the Italian rabbit genetic resources and in the meantime improving the productive and reproductive performances by actions for phenotypic, genetic, characterization of different rabbit breeds. In order to provide knowledge on reproductive performances among the breeds the fresh semen quality from different rabbit breeds was assessed. It resulted useful for both the in vivo and in vitro conservation program. In total 21 animals from 4 rabbit breeds were used: Argentata di Champagne (A.R.), Fulva di Borgogna (F.), Blu di Vienna (B.), Leprino di Viterbo (L.V.) were used. Ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina and the following semen parameters were evaluated: volume, concentration (Spectrophotometric analysis), viability (Cytofluorometric technique) and motility (CASA system) [2]. Sperm variables were compared among the breeds using the one-way method ANOVA. No significant differences among the breeds for volume, concentration and total motility were found, whilst significantly higher values of progressive motility were observed in B. (56.5%) and F. (57.9%) compared to L.V. (35.0%). Higher values of motility kinetic parameters (curvilinear velocity and average path velocity) were found in F. (53.0 and 29.7 µm/s) than L.V. (38.8 and 18.2 µm/s) respectively (p<0.05). Lastly, better sperm viability (87.9%) in the F. breed in respect to that in the A.R. breed (75.6%) was shown (p<0.05). The characterization of semen production in Italian recognised rabbit breeds provides a useful tool in predicting the fertilizing ability of each donor. Moreover, the quality of fresh semen is an important prerequisite for successful semen cryopreservation, which is a safe and effective biotechnology for ex situ in vitro program conservation, throughout the establishment of a semen cryobank. Cryopreservation of semen allows long-term storage of male genetic material, which is of strategic importance when in situ conservation methods are ineffective in maintaining genetic variability and preventing breed extinction. The characterization of fresh semen quality in other rabbit breeds and the knowledge of the biological mechanisms that lead to the sperm differences among breed will be our next goals.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
