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5.2
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Journals
Animals
Special Issues
Breeding Soundness Examinations of Rams: Semen Collection and Evaluation
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Breeding Soundness Examinations of Rams: Semen Collection and Evaluation

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2027 | Viewed by 1537

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aikaterini Ntemka

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—Demeter, Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: reproductive physiology and pathology; assisted reproductive technology; artificial insemination; ultrasonographic examination of reproductive system
Dr. Noelia González Orti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, Miguel Servet, 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Interests: assisted reproductive technology; semen preservation (freeze dried, vitrification); embryo production and preservation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ram fertility is a crucial characteristic that affects the production and economic efficiency of sheep herds. Previous studies have revealed that 70–75% of rams in a flock are reproductively optimal; therefore, the management of rams is fundamental. Breeding soundness examination (BSE) refers to the overall assessment of a ram’s ability to service and impregnate ewes. BSE is based on a clinical and physical examination, as well as a semen quality evaluation. BSE should be performed at least two months before breeding, especially because this period is required for sperm production and maturation. A high percentage of rams are culled because of substandard semen quality, such as low concentration and motility, increased morphological abnormalities, and DNA damage, etc. Even though no single diagnostic test can accurately predict ram fertility, researchers have stated that a combination of physical and laboratory tests can predict fertility. Overall, the assessment of a ram’s reproductive capacity is a significant tool for the improvement of the reproductive performance of the herd and the prevention of contagious or hereditary diseases.

In this Special Issue, we invite researchers focusing on breeding soundness examinations of rams, with a special emphasis on semen collection and evaluation, to submit their work on the following topics:

  • Factors affecting BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
  • Use of artificial intelligence in BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
  • Culling of rams after BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
  • Artificial insemination following BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
  • Semen storage following BSE and semen collection and evaluation;
  • Use of contemporary or innovative techniques for BSE and semen collection and evaluation.

This Special Issue intends to collect recent articles focusing on up-to-date and comprehensive primary or secondary research on this subject that aim to contribute to sheep herd sustainability.

Dr. Aikaterini Ntemka
Dr. Noelia González Orti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • breeding soundness evaluation
  • semen collection
  • semen assessment
  • ram
  • fertility
  • reproductive capacity
  • herd sustainability

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 876 KB  
Article
Crocin Supplementation of Semen Extender Preserves Chilled Ram Semen Quality During Extended Storage
by Vasiliki G. Sapanidou, Maria P. Tsantarliotou, Sophia N. Lavrentiadou and Konstantinos Feidantsis
Animals 2026, 16(5), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16050773 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 375
Abstract
Ram semen is highly susceptible to cold shock, which induces irreversible damage to the integrity and fluidity of membranes. Chilled semen is commonly used within 24 h of collection. However, while its storage at 5 °C extends semen lifespan, it is often accompanied [...] Read more.
Ram semen is highly susceptible to cold shock, which induces irreversible damage to the integrity and fluidity of membranes. Chilled semen is commonly used within 24 h of collection. However, while its storage at 5 °C extends semen lifespan, it is often accompanied by quality deterioration due to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study evaluated the potential of crocin, a carotenoid with antioxidant properties, to improve the quality of chilled ram semen stored at 5 °C for up to three days in a soybean lecithin–based extender supplemented with two crocin concentrations (0.5 and 1 mM). Sperm motility, viability, glutathione levels, the expression of proteins involved in the heat stress response (HSR), and apoptosis were assessed at 24 h intervals. Crocin preserved motility (up to Day 1), viability (up to Day 2,) and kinematic parameters (up to Day 3). In addition, crocin enhanced intracellular glutathione and Hsp70 levels and inhibited apoptotic levels dose-dependently, indicating the antioxidant and cytoprotective role of crocin. Despite 0.5 mM being effective up to Day 1, 1 mM crocin augmented antioxidant capacity, modulated stress response mechanisms, and preserved sperm quality during chilled storage up to Day 3, highlighting its potential as a valuable additive of ram semen extenders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding Soundness Examinations of Rams: Semen Collection and Evaluation)
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20 pages, 830 KB  
Article
Effects of Selenium Nanoparticles and Sodium Selenite Supplementation on Cryopreserved Ram Sperm Quality, Oxidative Status, and PRDX5 Gene Expression
by Cumali Kaya, Cansu Can, Burcu Esin, Emre Dünder, Mesut Çevik and Melih Akar
Animals 2026, 16(3), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16030457 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 571
Abstract
Cryopreservation of ram semen is an essential tool in assisted reproductive technology; however, oxidative stress generated during the freezing process may compromise sperm quality. This study evaluated the effects of Se and SeNPs on post-thaw sperm quality, PRDX5 expression, and oxidative status in [...] Read more.
Cryopreservation of ram semen is an essential tool in assisted reproductive technology; however, oxidative stress generated during the freezing process may compromise sperm quality. This study evaluated the effects of Se and SeNPs on post-thaw sperm quality, PRDX5 expression, and oxidative status in cryopreserved ram semen. In this study, semen samples collected from five mature rams (three collections at 2-week intervals, yielding a total of 15 ejaculates) were frozen in liquid nitrogen using extenders supplemented with selenium (1 μg/mL, S1; 10 μg/mL, S2) or selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs; 1 μg/mL, N1; 2 μg/mL, N2) alongside a nonsupplemented control extender. Post-thaw sperm quality was evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) for motility, kinematic parameters, viability, membrane integrity (HOST) assays, chromatin condensation assessment, and morphological analysis. Total oxidant status (TOS) measurements and PRDX5 gene expression analysis were performed separately. Low-dose SeNPs (1 µg/mL) significantly improved total motility (55.73 ± 19.01%), progressive motility (25.05 ± 15.34%), viability (57.27 ± 19.30%), HOST-positive spermatozoa (50.87 ± 18.91%), and morphologically normal spermatozoa (88.27 ± 4.10%) compared with the control and high-dose sodium selenite groups (p < 0.05). Chromatin condensation abnormalities were lowest in the SeNP-treated group. S1 and N2 also improved motility and morphology compared with the control; however, the increases were numerically smaller than those observed in the N1 group. In contrast, S2 supplementation showed limited benefit, with values that were similar to those of the control. Morphologically normal spermatozoa were highest in N1, followed by S1 and N2, while S2 and the control exhibited the lowest values (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant differences were detected in TOS or PRDX5 gene expression among the experimental groups (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that low-dose SeNPs enhance post-thaw sperm functional integrity and cryotolerance without inducing measurable changes in bulk oxidative markers or gene transcription. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Breeding Soundness Examinations of Rams: Semen Collection and Evaluation)
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