DNA INTEGRITY TEST FOR THE BOAR SPERMATOZOA DURING PRESERVATION IN BTS DILUENT

The assessment of DNA integrity influenced by sperm ageing, which is manifested in DNA double strand break was performed under neutral condition using comet assay. In the present investigation an attempt has been made to use modified neutral comet assay which also could be termed as single cell gel electrophoresis to assess DNA integrity of boar spermatozoa during liquid storage for 24, 48, and 72 hours at 24°C BTS diluent with ascorbic acid as antioxidant. Ejaculates sample taken for comet at 0 hour and then preserved for 24, 48 and 72 hours at 24°C. At 0 hour comet percentage was minimum and as the time advances it increases along with time. There was no individual variation among the boars and between the breeds. Study indicates there was elevated level of DNA damage at prolong storage (72 hours) and it seems that long term storage can affect genomic integrity of boar spermatozoa. Therefore, Screening of sperm DNA damage may be used as an additional test of sperm function that can have diagnostic value in practice.