Comparative developmental competence of in vitro embryos recovered from Bali cattle with normal and poor sperm motility

Background and Aim: Fertility is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of livestock production, as it directly impacts the reproductive rates. A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between sperm quality and embryo development is key to optimizing reproductive outcomes and improving the quality of livestock. This study analyzed the developmental competence of in vitro embryos recovered from Bali cattle with normal or poor sperm motility. Materials and Methods: Nine bulls with normal fresh semen (NFS) or poor fresh semen (PFS) motility were ejaculated for semen. Semen ejaculates, including volume, motility, and sperm concentration, were evaluated immediately after collection to measure the quality of the fresh semen. Frozen semen was evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) for motility, progressive sperm motility, distance curve path, distance curve linear, distance straight line, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, linear velocity, straightness (STR), linearity of forward progression (LIN), wobble, and average lateral head displacement (ALH). Bull groups were used to determine in vitro embryo cleavage ability after fertilization of Bali cattle. Ovaries of Bali cattle were collected by slicing, and only cytoplasmic oocytes with compact cumulus cells were used in this study. The oocytes were matured, and in vitro fertilization was performed using fertilization media with a final sperm concentration of 1.5 × 106 spermatozoa/mL. After 48 h, the embryo cleavage ability of the cultured oocytes was evaluated. Results: There were significant differences in motility values between the NFS and PFS groups; however, there were no significant differences in the volume or sperm concentration. There was a significant difference in the LIN value between the groups but no significant differences in other CASA parameters. There were no significant differences in the cleavage rate and morula between the groups, but a positive correlation was observed between the cleavage rate and the morula and between the morula and ALH. A significant negative correlation was observed between the cleavage rate and STR and between the morula and STR; no significant differences were observed for other variables. Conclusion: Despite variations in sperm characteristics, both normal and poor sperm motility demonstrated comparable in vitro embryonic development competence. These findings provide important insights into the fertility potential of Bali bulls, providing valuable information that can enhance selection strategies to improve the quality of livestock production. Keywords: Bali cattle, embryos, in vitro semen quality.