Mass Sperm Motility Is Correlated to Sperm Motility as Measured by Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) Technology in Farmed Ostriches

Pfunzo T. Muvhali, Maud Bonato, Irek A. Malecki, Schalk W. P. Cloete

Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, South Africa; Directorate Animal Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture Elsenburg, Private Bag X1, Elsenburg 7607, South Africa; School of Agriculture and Environment, Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Australia

Abstract: Semen analyses have gained momentum in various livestock industries. However, in farmed ostriches, semen analysis is still in its experimental stage, and males are not screened for sperm quality before breeding. This study investigated the correlations between computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) technology and the traditional, yet affordable, mass sperm motility score. Semen was collected from nine South African Black ostrich males (mean age ± SD: 5.25 ± 1.21 years), using the dummy female method for 5 consecutive days monthly, for 8 months. Mass sperm motility scores were recorded on a scale of 1–5 (1: little to no sperm movement; 5: rapid sperm movement). The CASA traits recorded were: total motility (MOT), progressive motility (PMOT), curve–linear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), and beat-cross frequency (BCF). The results revealed positive correlations between mass sperm motility and PMOT, MOT, VCL, and VAP ranging from 0.34 to 0.59 (p < 0.0001). In contrast, negative correlations were recorded between mass sperm motility and LIN, STR, and BCF, with correlations ranging from −0.20 to −0.39 (p < 0.0001). VSL, ALH, and WOB were not correlated to mass sperm motility (p > 0.05). Ostrich farmers may thus be able to evaluate sperm motility reliably and potentially select breeding males by using the affordable mass sperm motility scoring method. Determining the correlation between these methods and fertility after artificial insemination or natural mating is however needed.

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Animals 2022, 12(9), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12091104
Received: 15 February 2022 / Revised: 18 March 2022 / Accepted: 1 April 2022 / Published: 25 April 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Reproduction: Semen Quality Assessment)