Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña”
Semen cryobanks are critical for preserving autochthonous and rare breeds. Since sperm cryopreservation has been optimized for commercial breeds, non-commercial ones (often endangered) must be characterized to ensure the germplasm’s viability. This study reports an investigation of the “Asturiana de...
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/8/1402 |
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| author | Carolina Tamargo Amer Salman Jose Néstor Caamaño Felipe Martínez-Pastor Ángel Fernández Rodrigo Muiño María Teresa Carbajo Carlos Olegario Hidalgo |
| author_facet | Carolina Tamargo Amer Salman Jose Néstor Caamaño Felipe Martínez-Pastor Ángel Fernández Rodrigo Muiño María Teresa Carbajo Carlos Olegario Hidalgo |
| author_sort | Carolina Tamargo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Semen cryobanks are critical for preserving autochthonous and rare breeds. Since sperm cryopreservation has been optimized for commercial breeds, non-commercial ones (often endangered) must be characterized to ensure the germplasm’s viability. This study reports an investigation of the “Asturiana de la Montaña” breed (AM), a valuable Spanish autochthonous cattle breed adapted to the mountainous Atlantic environment. The survey included cryopreserved semen doses from 40 bulls stored at the Principado de Asturias Germplasm Bank. Data were obtained from the routine fresh semen analysis, CASA (motility), and flow cytometry analyses of fresh and post-thawing semen, and the 56-day non-return-rate (NRR) in heifers and cows (all results as 1st and 3rd quartiles). Fresh samples (artificial vagina) were within the normal range for cattle (4–6 mL, 5–10 × 10<sup>9</sup>/mL; mass motility 5). Post-thawing results showed motility below typical for commercial breeds (total motility 26–43%, progressive 14–28%), with higher values for viability (47–62%). Insemination results showed a good performance for this breed (NRR: 47–56%; higher for heifers). Sperm volume increased with age, with little or no effects on sperm quality. Few associations were found between post-thawing quality or freezability and NRR, LIN being the variable more strongly associated (positively). The AM semen bank shows a good prospect for preserving and disseminating the genetics of this breed. This survey indicates that dedicated research is needed to adapt freezing protocols to this breed, optimizing post-thawing results. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:19:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8a0a2a5e60e0439aadee1ee9bbb128dc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:19:04Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-8a0a2a5e60e0439aadee1ee9bbb128dc2023-11-17T18:01:20ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-04-01138140210.3390/ani13081402Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña”Carolina Tamargo0Amer Salman1Jose Néstor Caamaño2Felipe Martínez-Pastor3Ángel Fernández4Rodrigo Muiño5María Teresa Carbajo6Carlos Olegario Hidalgo7Selección y Reproducción Animal—SERIDA, Principado de Asturias, 33394 Gijón, SpainINDEGSAL and IMAPOR, Universidad de León, 24071 León, SpainSelección y Reproducción Animal—SERIDA, Principado de Asturias, 33394 Gijón, SpainINDEGSAL and IMAPOR, Universidad de León, 24071 León, SpainSelección y Reproducción Animal—SERIDA, Principado de Asturias, 33394 Gijón, SpainDepartment of Animal Patology, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, SpainDepartment of Medicine, Surgery and Veterinary Anatomy, Universidad de León, 24071 León, SpainSelección y Reproducción Animal—SERIDA, Principado de Asturias, 33394 Gijón, SpainSemen cryobanks are critical for preserving autochthonous and rare breeds. Since sperm cryopreservation has been optimized for commercial breeds, non-commercial ones (often endangered) must be characterized to ensure the germplasm’s viability. This study reports an investigation of the “Asturiana de la Montaña” breed (AM), a valuable Spanish autochthonous cattle breed adapted to the mountainous Atlantic environment. The survey included cryopreserved semen doses from 40 bulls stored at the Principado de Asturias Germplasm Bank. Data were obtained from the routine fresh semen analysis, CASA (motility), and flow cytometry analyses of fresh and post-thawing semen, and the 56-day non-return-rate (NRR) in heifers and cows (all results as 1st and 3rd quartiles). Fresh samples (artificial vagina) were within the normal range for cattle (4–6 mL, 5–10 × 10<sup>9</sup>/mL; mass motility 5). Post-thawing results showed motility below typical for commercial breeds (total motility 26–43%, progressive 14–28%), with higher values for viability (47–62%). Insemination results showed a good performance for this breed (NRR: 47–56%; higher for heifers). Sperm volume increased with age, with little or no effects on sperm quality. Few associations were found between post-thawing quality or freezability and NRR, LIN being the variable more strongly associated (positively). The AM semen bank shows a good prospect for preserving and disseminating the genetics of this breed. This survey indicates that dedicated research is needed to adapt freezing protocols to this breed, optimizing post-thawing results.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/8/1402cattleAsturiana de la Montañasemen banksemen cryopreservationfertility |
| spellingShingle | Carolina Tamargo Amer Salman Jose Néstor Caamaño Felipe Martínez-Pastor Ángel Fernández Rodrigo Muiño María Teresa Carbajo Carlos Olegario Hidalgo Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña” Animals cattle Asturiana de la Montaña semen bank semen cryopreservation fertility |
| title | Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña” |
| title_full | Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña” |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña” |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña” |
| title_short | Characterization of the Germplasm Bank for the Spanish Autochthonous Bull Breed “Asturiana de la Montaña” |
| title_sort | characterization of the germplasm bank for the spanish autochthonous bull breed asturiana de la montana |
| topic | cattle Asturiana de la Montaña semen bank semen cryopreservation fertility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/8/1402 |
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