Effect of Seminal Centrifugation with Iodixanol on the Sperm Quality of Goat Semen

Goat semen cryopreservation techniques facilitate the reproductive management of the herd and allow preserving the fertilizing capacity of the spermatozoa for long periods of time. However, they require centrifugation techniques for the removal of the seminal plasma. This centrifugation can mechanically damage the spermatozoon membrane, especially if it is performed at high gravitational forces and for a long time. In order to avoid this mechanical damage, the centrifugation of goat semen is studied with Iodixanol (Cushion® Fluid), a compound that acts as a “cushion”, avoiding the strong packing of the spermatozoa at the bottom of the centrifugation tube. Seminal samples obtained from Murciano-Granadina goats were divided into 2 tubes, with and without Iodixanol, centrifuged at 800 g for 20 minutes, the supernatant and quilting medium were removed and resuspended in Thilmant medium and refrigerated at 5°C for 24 hours. After that time, the quality of movement and % of motile sperm, the vitality with eosin-nigrosine staining and the % of morphoanomalies of each type of sample were evaluated. After analyzing the results statistically, we obtained that the post-centrifugation seminal quality does not vary significantly with both treatments, but the Iodixanol allows in the goat semen a more complete and less aggressive resuspension and homogenization of the spermatozoa after centrifugation, which would translate into a greater recovery of undamaged spermatozoa.