Vol. 8, Issue 9 (2019)

Author(s):
Ankesh Kumar, JK Prasad, SK Ghosh, GK Das, Bablu Kumar, HC Yadav and Rahul Katiyar

Abstract:
Bacteria present in the semen cause harmful effect on the spermatozoa through toxin production and generated metabolic end products that challenges the future fertility. It is now well known that preputial cavity is one of the main sources of contamination in ejaculated semen. Despite of the fact, there is no standard methodology and recommendations to eliminate such contaminations from prepuce prior to semen collection. Considering the above facts, the present study was designed to examine the effect of different volume of flushing fluid to reduce this preputial contamination in semen. Total preputial capacity (100%) was determined in 11 crossbred bulls by in-housed designed PDC (Preputial Douching and Cleaning) device and subsequently two different volumes i.e. 150 mL (50%) and 215 mL (70%) were calculated based on the full capacity keeping conventional 100 mL as control. The preputial bacterial load increased (P<0.05) significantly with the increase of washing fluid volume from 100 mL to 302 mL, Following washing, at day 1, the mean bacterial count in fresh semen significantly decreased (P<0.05) with the increase of washing fluid volume except 302 mL volume in which the count characteristically increased (P<0.05). At day 5 and 10, the same trend was also observed as in day 1, showing a decreased (P<0.05) mean bacterial count with the increase of washing fluid volume except 302 mL in which the count was increased (P<0.05) significantly. In post-thaw semen also, the bacterial count at day 1, 5 and 10, decreased (P<0.05) significantly in a similar fashion as in fresh semen following preputial wash.