Seminal characteristics of German Shepherd dogs

Abstract

Semen was collected by masturbation from 25 German Shepherd dogs, 1 to 7 years old and weight from 30 to 35 kg. Aiming to utilize the semen for artificial insemination, only the second and partial third fractions were used. Results were as follows: mean ejaculation volume 7.17 ml; white colour and milky aspect: sperm motility 68.84%; vigour 3.5; concentration 136.192 spermatozoa/mm³ and 889.772.000 spermatozoa by ejaculation: 9.92% of major defects, 7.62% of minor defects and still an individual abnormalities classification. The pH of semen, of extenders and of extended semen, respectively, varied from 6.02 to 6.60; 5.85 to 6.90 and 5.97 to 6.76: osmotic pressure of 285.20 to 295.00; 240.00 to 310.00 and 272.32 to 303.92 mOlm and sodium and potassium concentrations, respectively, to seminal plasma and 4 extenders, 134.40 to 156.00 and 7.80 to 13.72 and 3.00 to 270.00 and 6.00 to 25.00 mEq/l. There was significant variation among dogs, in all seminal characteristics, except for osmotic pressure. There was also correlation between the seminal characteristics and between these and total sperm abnormalities. Variability of seminal characteristics among dogs is greater when comparing collections of each animal, with exception of osmotic pressure and sodium concentration variability that is reversed.