Abstract :
Although the application of modern technologies and techniques in ram semen evaluation
is not as widespread as in domesticated animal species, developments have been reported.
Improvements in extenders and cryo-protectants have contributed to extended ram semen
preservation and better results of ovine artificial insemination. For these reasons, semen
evaluation process offering high accuracy and reliability of the results is needed more than
in the past. Major advancements have been made on ram semen analysis by using computer
assisted semen analyzers. Moreover, evaluation of sperm function in depth as the
estimation of sperm mitochondrial status, sperm nucleus chromatin integrity and sperm
ability to bind and/or fertilize an oocyte have recently been included to ram semen assessment.
This review emphasizes to recent development in these technologies that start to
show satisfactory diagnostic value for ram semen evaluation, as well as to their relation
with field fertility.
