Vegetable solutions as diluent for sperm material of the domestic animals. III — The infusion of dried alfafa leaves (Medicago sativa) and dried «guandu» leaves (Cajanus sp) for the preparation of solutions for bovine sperm material

Abstract

The authors observed the bahaviour "in vitro" and "in vivo", of bovine spermatic material, diluted in infusion of dried alfafa leaves and dried "guandu" leaves, plus 50% of egg-yolk. Results obtained with semen diluted in those mixtures and preserved at 2-7ºC were considered good for the first 96 hours of preservation. It was observes that samples diluted in dried "guandu" leaves infusion presented lower number of living spermatozoa than samples diluted in dried alfafa leaves infusion in the first 96 of preservation. However, for a period of 240 hours of preservation the number of dead cells was larger in alfafa misture than in "guandu" one. The above mentioned diluters were prepared as following:
1) Dried alfafa leaves of dried "guandu" leaves were put in boiling water for 2 or 3 minutes in the proportion of 1:10.
2) The infusions were filtrated in gauze and the pH adjusted to 6.8 with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and sterilized by tyndallization.
3) seven hundred and fifty units of sodic penicillin and 750 mg of streptomycin sulphats were added for each ml of the infusion. egg-yolk was added in the basis of 1:1.
Conception rate in cows inseminated with semen diluted in those diluters (pregnant diagnosis by palpation) were 52,8% for alfafa (17 cows inseminated) and 55,5% for "guandu" (18 cows inseminated). Although the rates of conception can not be classified as satisfactory, local conditions must be considered. Cows were inseminated in the worse period of the year (dry season) and were in fair condition of nutrition.