Biochemical characterization and sperm motility parameters of ostrich (Struthio camelus) semen

ABSTRACT m of the study was to obtain baseline values for biochemical parameters of ostrich seminal plasma and sperm motility parameters measured by CASA. Biochemical characteristics of ostrich semen included a high protein concentration (29.3 ± 9.1 g/l) and high amidase (280.6 ± 130.8 U/l) and LDH activity (1880.0 ± 983.6 U/l). On the other hand antioxidant, superoxide dismutase, anti-proteinase and acid phosphatase activity were low. Biochemical parameters of semen were variable. Motility of ostrich sperm was characterized by low linearity (23.0 ± 6.2%). The quality of undiluted semen stored at room temperature deteriorated within an hour due to agglutination and gelation. On the other hand, ostrich semen could be stored up to 4 h at 5 °C without loss of motility after which loss of motility occurred but could be partially mitigated using semen extenders (EK and Ovodyl).