Collection, physical attributes and short term preservation of semen from dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

In order to develop Artificial Insemination (AI) as a tool for breeding of camels, research study was initiated on collection and preservation of camel semen. Four adult Omani male camels were trained for semen collection using artificial vagina (AV). Regular collections were undertaken at 3-7 days intervals and ejaculates were subjected to quality evaluation, extension and preservation under refrigeration. A total of 178 ejaculates were collected in 197 attempts. Reaction time was less than 30 seconds and mean mating duration was 5.08+0.14 minutes. Semen volume was 4.5+0.22 ml and contamination with extraneous particles was very frequent (54 percent). About 50 percent ejaculates were sperm rich with mean concentration of 364.66+34.51 millions/ ml. Ejaculates transformed into thick gel within five minutes of collection and 57.83 percent of them liquefied within thirty minutes of extension. Triladyl egg yolk media was mostly used for extension and gentle agitation with plastic straw was useful for mixing with extender for further processing. Oscillatory and progressive motilities within five minutes of extension were 68.85+2.35 percent and 54.50+2.36 percent, respectively which tended to increase up to 20-30 minutes from the point of dilution. Chilled samples retaining at least 50 percent progressive motility at 24, 48 and 72 hours were 46, 23 and 10 percent respectively.