ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the possibility of replacing salamon with modified shotor diluent [MSD] and egg yolk [EY] with low density lipoprotein [LDL] for chilled storage of ram semen. Good quality semen [>80% progressive forward motility [PFM] of sperm] from 3 fertile rams was collected using an artificial vaginaandpooled for each experiment. Low density lipoprotein was extracted from fresh EY. In experiment 1, semen was divided into 2 fractions and extended in MSD or salamon. In experiment 2, semen was assigned into 5 fractions and extended in MSD supplemented with 12 and 15% EY or 3, 5 and 8% LDL. In experiment 3, semen was divided into 2 fractions and extended in MSD supplemented with 12% EY or 5% LDL. Viability of sperm was assessed at times 0 [immediately after semen dilution], 2 or 4 [at 4°C] and up to 72 h after semen dilution. Data was analyzed using General Linear Model [GLM] procedure, including repeated measures. In experiment 1, the viability of sperm was similar in two diluents [P>0.05]. In experiment 2, PFM of sperm was similar among groups at the time of dilution [P>0.05]; but remained elevated in 5 and 8% LDL compared to other groups afterward [P<0.05]. In experiment 3, PFM of sperm was superior at 48 and 72 h after dilution in 5% LDL compared to 12% EY [P<0.05]. In conclusion, MSD supplemented with 5% LDL is a suitable diluent for ram fresh semen preserved at 4°C for 72 h. Key words: Ram, Semen preservation, Low density lipoprotein, Diluent