Quality evaluation of fresh gander semen of Slovak White goose by CASA and flow cytometry: short communication.

In this preliminary study, the quality of fresh gander semen from the original Slovak White goose (SW) breed was analysed. Semen was collected from three (SW, n = 3) ganders into prepared sterile tubes by dorso-abdominal massage. Firstly, volume of individual gander semen was determined. Afterward, the concentration, motility parameters and sperm viability were evaluated using computer assisted semen analyser (CASA) and flow cytometry, respectively. Our results showed that the volume of individual semen samples varied from 0.05 to 0.38 ml. No significant differences in concentration and total motility of fresh semen was found among the ganders tested. However, significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in progressive movement of fresh semen between two males (SW2 and SW3) were observed. Moreover, differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic sperm between two males (SW1 and SW3) were revealed by a flow cytometry. These preliminary data suggest that the objective assessment of fresh gander sperm motility may be an effective indicator of frozen-thawed semen quality. Therefore, regular semen assessment is required in order to preserve good-quality insemination doses from native breeds.