Resumen de Parámetros genéticos para caracteres de morfometría espermática en machos de raza ovina manchega
Pilar Jiménez Rabadán, María Dolores Pérez-Guzmán Palomares, J. J. Garde, O. García, A. Maroto-Morales, Ana Josefa Soler Valls, M.R. Fernández Santos, Maria Misericòrdia Ramon Juanpere
Artificial insemination (AI) is an important tool within breeding programs allowing the dissemination of genetic gain. Given the widespread use of AI, reproductive efficiency has become an important trait since a single male is able to inseminate several females. Therefore, an improvement of reproductive success could result in a higher genetic progress. Sperm morphology has been identified as a characteristic that can be useful in the prediction of fertilizing capacity. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for morphometric head dimensions such as area (A, Um2), perimeter (P; Um), length (L; Um), width (W; Um) and p2a (perimeter to area: P2/4PA). A total of 375 Manchego rams were used for this study and at least 150 spermatozoa per ejaculate were evaluated by CASA analysis. Estimates of heritability (h2) were medium to high with values of 0.23, 0.29, 0.25, 0.22 y 0.26 for length, width, area, perimeter and p2a, respectively. The latter has been reported to be higher correlated with sperm velocity and male fertility, and therefore, it would be of interest the study of this trait as a selection criterion to improve male fertility.
