PSXII-5 - Influence of the total content of toxic elements in hair on semen qualitative characteristics of the Holstein sires

It is known that chemical elements affect the quality characteristics of animal sperm. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the level of toxic load determined by the concentration of Al, Cd, Pb, Sn, Hg, Sr in wool on the quality characteristics of sperm.

The studies were carried out on the Holstein bulls, the age at the selection of biosubstrates is 3-4 years (n = 65), which, based on data according to the amount of toxic elements (∑tox, mmol / kg) in hair, were divided into 3 groups: I - up to the 25th percentile, II - 25-75 percentile, III - above 75 percentile. Parameters evaluated were ejaculate in volume (ml) for 2 adjacent wells, sperm concentration (billions/ml) using a digital photometer, sperm activity (points) using a phase contrast microscope, the number of frozen doses (pcs), on average for the month preceding the selection of hair. Hair samples were taken from the withers in an amount of - 0.4 g. The elemental composition of wool was determined by 6 toxic elements (Al, Cd, Pb, Sn, Hg, Sr) by the AES-ICP and MS-ICP methods. According to the research results, it was established that as ∑tox increases from 0.114 mmol/kg in group I to 0.341 mmol/kg in group III, the volume of ejaculate decreases by 37.1% (Р£0,05), the concentration of sperm by 30.0% (Р£0,001), activity - by 0.2 points (Р£0,05), the number of frozen doses - by 182.4% (Р£0,001). Thus, the results of the studies carried out show the dependence of the quality indicators of sperm on the total content of toxic elements in hair of breeding bulls and it can be used as a diagnostic biosubstrate. The studies were carried out in accordance with the research plan for 2019-2021. FSBSI Federal Research Centre BST RAS (No. 0761-2019-0006).