Powdered skimmilk as a diluter for bovine semen

Abstract

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to study the use of powdered skimmilk as a diluter for bovine semen. Commercial powdered skimmilk used in these experiments had the specifications as follows: The technique carried out to prepare the skimmilk dilutor was: a) dilution of powdered skimmilk in bi-distiled water (1:8); h) filtration after slitting; c) heating till boilling four times; d) filtration; e) cooling; f) addition of antibiotiques (penicillin and streptomycin); g) dilution of semen at 37®C of temperature. In laboralory test the skimmilk diluter compared as satisfactory as yolk-citrate diluter. On the basis of 84 inseminations with diluted semen on skimmilk diluter 51 calves were born (60.71%). For semen diluter in yolk-citrate 503 calves resulted from 1.094 inseminations (45.97%). Based upon satisfactory results it appears that the powdered skimmilk offers a convenient diluter for semen mainly due: a) an even composition; b) facility to sterilize; c) the powdered skimmilk can be kept for long time without damage; d) the diluter can be preserved at low temperature for long time; e) it is easy to prepare and there are facilities to buy for low prices.