Fig. 4
From: REAC technology as optimizer of stallion spermatozoa liquid storage
Effect of REAC treatment on DNA integrity, as evaluated by the neutral comet assay, of stallion spermatozoa during 72 h. of storage at 4 °C. Evaluated parameters included the comet area (pixels) and the percentage of DNA in the head. For each parameter, panels a and b show the mean ± S.E values determined at the different time points in each experimental group. A total of 16 ejaculates collected from eight stallions of different breeds (1: Thoroughbred; 2, 3, 4, 6: Arabian; 5, 7, 8: Warmblood) were used. Images show representative comets following application of the neutral comet assay: (1) non-fragmented sperm nucleus; (2–3) fragmented sperm nuclei. Asterisks indicate statistical differences between REAC treated and untreated controls (General Linear Model): p > 0.01. Different letters indicate a statistical difference among values recorded at the different time points within the same experimental group (General Linear Model): p > 0.01. Upper case letters: REAC group; lower case letters: control group