IMPACT OF THE USE OF REFRIGERATED BUFFALO (Bubalus bubalis) SEMEN ON THE IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF EMBRYOS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE STATE OF RORAIMA
Oocyte donors, OPU, in vitro fertilization.
The objective was to evaluate the fertility of buffalo semen in IVP comparing the effectiveness of chilled and frozen semen. The ejaculates of four bulls were divided into two equal parts, submitted to refrigeration at 5ºC/24 hours and to freezing. The commercial Botubov extender (Botupharma®, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil) was used. The semen had its motility, vigor, turbulence and spermatic pathologies evaluated according to CBRA standards. Subsequently, both types of semen were used in in vitro fertilization for oocytes from OPU, observing cleavage rates and embryonic development. The results showed that the number of embryos produced was higher for refrigerated semen (72.4±13; 34.4±14, respectively) and that the bull influenced the embryo production rate (75±31; 71 ±39; 67.8±33; 49.8±36, respectively). It was concluded that refrigerated semen is an alternative to be used to improve fertilization rates in buffalo PIVE.