The implementation of a HACCP system improved the efficiency of a bull semen collection and processing center

Bull Semen Collection and Processing Centers (SCPC) have satisfactory control of sperm quality, but commonly lack standardized quality control of hygiene procedures. This study assessed the impact of implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in a bull SCPC, comparing microbial counts on various steps of semen processing, semen quality and costs across two periods (before and after the HACCP implementation). After surveying all routine activities of the SCPC, control points were identified, preventive measures were designed and corrective actions were employed, whenever necessary. Six months after HACCP implementation, the system was audited and production data covering two similar periods of two consecutive years were compared. Counts of colony forming units in samples collected from artificial vaginas, flexible tubes from the straw filling machine and from fresh and frozen semen after HACCP implementation were lower than during the previous period (P < 0.05). Improved post-thawing sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (P < 0.0001) and reduced rejection of semen batches and frozen doses were observed after HACCP implementation (P < 0.01), resulting in reduced opportunity costs. Thus, the implementation of a HACCP system in a bull SCPC allowed low-cost production of high-quality semen doses with reduced microbial contamination.

The implementation of a HACCP system improved the efficiency of a bull semen collection and processing center

Bull Semen Collection and Processing Centers (SCPC) have satisfactory control of sperm quality, but commonly lack standardized quality control of hygiene procedures. This study assessed the impact of implementing a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system in a bull SCPC, comparing microbial counts on various steps of semen processing, semen quality and costs across two periods (before and after the HACCP implementation). After surveying all routine activities of the SCPC, control points were identified, preventive measures were designed and corrective actions were employed, whenever necessary. Six months after HACCP implementation, the system was audited and production data covering two similar periods of two consecutive years were compared. Counts of colony forming units in samples collected from artificial vaginas, flexible tubes from the straw filling machine and from fresh and frozen semen after HACCP implementation were lower than during the previous period (P < 0.05). Improved post-thawing sperm motility, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity (P < 0.0001) and reduced rejection of semen batches and frozen doses were observed after HACCP implementation (P < 0.01), resulting in reduced opportunity costs. Thus, the implementation of a HACCP system in a bull SCPC allowed low-cost production of high-quality semen doses with reduced microbial contamination.(AU)

Efeito da adição de taurina sobre espermatozoides ovinos refrigerados a 5°C / Effect of taurine addiction on ram sperm cooled at 5ºC

O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da adição de diferentes concentrações de taurina ao diluente de resfriamento de sêmen ovino. Foram utilizados neste experimento 40 ejaculados de oito carneiros, diluídos nostratamentos: controle Tris-gema (T1) adicionado de taurina nas concentrações de 1 µM (T2), 2 µM (T3) e 3 µM (T4), sob refrigeração a 5°C por 48 h e avaliados através da análise de parâmetros de qualidade espermática de integridade de membrana, DNA e acrossoma, funcionalidade de mitocôndria e motilidade espermática. Observou-se que a motilidade espermática nas 48 h foi inferior no T2 (29,3%) em relação ao T4 (37,6%) (P < 0,05). Quanto aos parâmetros de integridade de membrana e DNA não se verificou diferença estatística entre os tratamentos.Para integridade de acrossoma, em amostras de sêmen fresco, encontrou-se 59.0%, e após 48 h de refrigeração, foram observadas taxas integridade nos grupos adicionados de taurina de 50.7% (T2), 51,3% (T3) e 51.6% (T4),que não diferiram do sêmen fresco. Conclui-se que a taurina nas concentrações testadas foi eficiente para manter a integridade de acrossoma no sêmen ovino refrigerado a 5°C.(AU)

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of different concentrations of taurine added to ramsperm cooling extender. We used in this experiment 40 ejaculates from eight rams, diluted according to the following treatments: Tris-yolk control (T1) taurine-added at the concentrations of 1 µM (T2), 2 µM (T3) and 3 µM (T4), under 5º C refrigeration for 48 hours and assessed through sperm quality parameters of membrane integrity, DNA and acrosome, mitochondrial functionality and sperm motility. We observed that sperm motilitywithin 48 hours was lower in T2 (29.3%) when compared to T4 (37.6%) (P < 0.05). As for the parameters membrane integrity and DNA we did not observe statistical differences among the treatments. As for acrosome integrity, in fresh semen samples, we obtained 59.0%, and after 48 hours refrigeration we observed integrity rates in the taurine-added groups of 50.7% (T2), 51,3% (T3) and 51.6% (T4), that did not differ from fresh semen. In conclusion, the concentrations of taurine we tested was efficient to keep acrosome integrity within cooled ram sperm at 5ºC.(AU)

Efeito da adição de taurina sobre espermatozoides ovinos refrigerados a 5°C / Effect of taurine addiction on ram sperm cooled at 5ºC

O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da adição de diferentes concentrações de taurina ao diluente de resfriamento de sêmen ovino. Foram utilizados neste experimento 40 ejaculados de oito carneiros, diluídos nostratamentos: controle Tris-gema (T1) adicionado de taurina nas concentrações de 1 µM (T2), 2 µM (T3) e 3 µM (T4), sob refrigeração a 5°C por 48 h e avaliados através da análise de parâmetros de qualidade espermática de integridade de membrana, DNA e acrossoma, funcionalidade de mitocôndria e motilidade espermática. Observou-se que a motilidade espermática nas 48 h foi inferior no T2 (29,3%) em relação ao T4 (37,6%) (P < 0,05). Quanto aos parâmetros de integridade de membrana e DNA não se verificou diferença estatística entre os tratamentos.Para integridade de acrossoma, em amostras de sêmen fresco, encontrou-se 59.0%, e após 48 h de refrigeração, foram observadas taxas integridade nos grupos adicionados de taurina de 50.7% (T2), 51,3% (T3) e 51.6% (T4),que não diferiram do sêmen fresco. Conclui-se que a taurina nas concentrações testadas foi eficiente para manter a integridade de acrossoma no sêmen ovino refrigerado a 5°C.

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of different concentrations of taurine added to ramsperm cooling extender. We used in this experiment 40 ejaculates from eight rams, diluted according to the following treatments: Tris-yolk control (T1) taurine-added at the concentrations of 1 µM (T2), 2 µM (T3) and 3 µM (T4), under 5º C refrigeration for 48 hours and assessed through sperm quality parameters of membrane integrity, DNA and acrosome, mitochondrial functionality and sperm motility. We observed that sperm motilitywithin 48 hours was lower in T2 (29.3%) when compared to T4 (37.6%) (P < 0.05). As for the parameters membrane integrity and DNA we did not observe statistical differences among the treatments. As for acrosome integrity, in fresh semen samples, we obtained 59.0%, and after 48 hours refrigeration we observed integrity rates in the taurine-added groups of 50.7% (T2), 51,3% (T3) and 51.6% (T4), that did not differ from fresh semen. In conclusion, the concentrations of taurine we tested was efficient to keep acrosome integrity within cooled ram sperm at 5ºC.