Análise Descritiva da Maturação Espermática em Potros (Equus Caballus)

Abstract

The conservation of genetic material can be done through the recovery of sperm from the genital tract of post mortem or orchiectomized equine. The aim of this study was to characterize the morphological aspects of foal sperm obtained from the testes, head/body of the epididymis, tail of the epididymis and vas deferens. Reproductive tracts from 3 animals were collected. The testicles were cross-sectioned and washed with modified Dulbecco's solution (PBS), the head/body and tail of the epididymis were sliced and also washed with the same solution. . Sperm morphology was evaluated on slides stained with Congo red and the supravital test with eosin-nigrosin. In the morphological analysis of sperm, a high number of abnormal cells was identified, with 37.33% in the testis, 40.33% in the head and body of the epididymis, 32.66% in the tail of the epididymis and 43.5% in the vas deferens. The supravital test showed an increase in live cells along the reproductive tract with 11% in the testis, 30% in the head and body of the epididymis, 69% in the tail of the epididymis and 75% in the vas deferens. The techniques used proved to be efficient for obtaining sperm in horses and the analyzes showed the importance of the epididymis in sperm maturation and selection in the species.