Evaluación de la curva de sobrevivencia espermática en un cooler en diferentes intervalos de tiempo

Abstract

Sheep production in Ecuador is experiencing a sustained decline in the national flock, coupled with constraints limiting the implementation of reproductive biotechnologies. This study evaluated the sperm survival curve of ram semen diluted with Triladyl® and refrigerated at 5°C in a cooler under field conditions. Viability (Eosin–Nigrosin), membrane integrity (HOST), and progressive motility were assessed from 0 to 24 hours using ANOVA (p<0.05) and linear regression analyses. The research was conducted at Universidad Católica de Cuenca within a community outreach project aimed at reactivating sheep production through the establishment of a germplasm bank using ejaculates from fertility-proven rams collected via artificial vagina. No significant differences were detected among the evaluated parameters; however, regression analyses revealed a gradual decline beginning at 2–6 hours, followed by subsequent stabilization. It is concluded that cooler refrigeration preserves viable seminal parameters for up to 24 hours, representing an accessible alternative for reproductive programs under real production conditions in the Andean region. Keywords: Ecuador; Ejaculates; Ovine; Refrigeration