Terezija Silvija Marenjak

Biochemical properties of bull spermatozoa separated in iodixanol density solution

Bull spermatozoa samples contain variable portion of motile and normal morphology spermatozoa along with spermatozoa incapable of fertilization due to their pathologic changes. As semen quality is influenced by biochemical and morphological characteristics of all spermatozoa, the aim of the study was to separate spermatozoa in discontinuous iodixanol density gradient solution and to determine their cholesterol, phospholipid, triacylglycerol and lipid peroxide concentrations and creatine kinase activity. The study was performed in winter and included seven Simmental bulls aged 1.5-3.5 years. Semen samples were collected by use of artificial vagina. Upon evaluation of semen quality (volume, concentration and progressive sperm motility), the samples were centrifuged in iodixanol density solution to obtain two sperm fractions. The two fractions included sperms with progressive motility greater than 90% and less than 20%, respectively. A statistically significantly higher lipid peroxide concentration was determined in sperm fraction with <20% progressive motility. Different sperm subpopulations can be obtained by separating bull spermatozoa in different iodixanol density gradient solutions, while monitoring their biochemical properties can help assess the sperm quality.