Sephadex and sephadex ion-exchange filtration improves the quality and freezability of low-grade buffalo semen ejaculates

The effect of sephadex and sephadex ion-exchange filtration on the improvement in quality and freezability of low-grade buffalo semen ejaculates was assessed. Two types of filtration columns were used: one containing only sephadex G-10 (FS) and the other sephadex G-10 along with ion-exchangers (diethyl amino ethane-52 (DEAE-52) cellulose and carboxy methyl-52 (CM-52) cellulose; FS+IE). Unfiltered samples served as controls. Semen ejaculates extended in Tris–citric acid (1:4) ( n=16; initial motility 40–50%) were filtered at the rate of 1.5 ml/min under negative pressure at room temperature (28–30 °C). The mean recovery rate (%) of motile spermatozoa in the FS (85.9±1.51) and FS+IE (77.10±2.28) filtrates did not differ significantly. Percentages of sperm motility, normal acrosomes, and intact plasma membranes were highest ( P