Semen quality of the Bernese Mountain Dogs in Sweden

Sammanfattning: This study aimed to have a better understanding of the semen quality of the Bernese mountain dog population in Sweden. Semen and blood samples were collected from 65 male Bernese mountain dogs, both breeding dogs and dogs not intended for breeding. Examination of testicles and prostates were also performed. Semen analysis revealed that sperm motility was negatively associated with age (p=0.049). Percentages of detached heads (p=0.004) and proximal cytoplasmic droplets (p=0.009) were positively associated with age. Percentages of pathological heads (p=0.002), proximal cytoplasmic droplets (p=0.008), knobbed acrosomes (p=0.008) and vacuoles (p=0.004) were significantly higher in dogs with abnormal testicle consistency. The percentage of morphologically normal sperm (p<0.001) and the number of live morphologically normal sperm (p=0.034) were significantly lower in dogs with abnormal testicle consistency (p<0.001). For dogs that had been breeding, sperm motility was significantly higher among those with offspring than those without (p=0.013).