Effect of asiatic acid supplementation in tris-extender on post-thaw functional competence, antioxidant enzyme activity and in vivo fertility of bull sperm

Authors

Keywords:

antioxidants, asiatic acid, computer-assisted sperm analysis, Holstein Friesian, sperm cryopreservation

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species at supra-physiological levels trigger oxidative stress during cryopreservation, which can be neutralised by incorporating suitable antioxidants into the semen extender medium. This study was intended to explore the effect of asiatic acid (AA) as an antioxidant in semen extender on frozen-thawed sperm quality and in vivo fertility of bull sperm.

Semen was collected from Holstein Friesian bulls for 10 consecutive weeks (total ejaculates = 60). Semen was cryopreserved with a Tris citric acid egg yolk-based extender supplemented with 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, and 100 μM AA.

The supplementation of the extender with 40 and 60 μM AA improved (p < 0.05) post-thaw motility kinematics, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, sperm viability, and DNA integrity of bull sperm. Mitochondrial membrane potential was high (p < 0.05) with 60 μM of AA concentration in extender media. The catalase activity in seminal plasma was maintained (p < 0.05) when semen was added with 20, 40, and 60 μM of AA. The in vivo fertility was found to be significantly high with the semen extended with 60 μM AA.

Conclusively, this study showed that AA supplementation in semen extender significantly improved sperm motility kinematics and cell integrity, conserved antioxidant enzyme activity, and improved in vivo fertility.

Author Biographies

  • M Jameel, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

    Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan

  • IS Sheikh, University of Balochistan

    Center for Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, University of Balochistan, Pakistan

  • N Kakar, University of Turbat

    Department of Natural and Basic Sciences, University of Turbat, Pakistan

  • MR Yousuf, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

    Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan

  • A Riaz, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

    Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan

  • W Shehzad , University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

    Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan

  • D Khan, Government of Balochistan

    Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan

  • M Iqbal, Government of Balochistan

    Semen Production Unit, Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Balochistan, Pakistan

  • AM Tareen, University of Balochistan

    Department of Microbiology, University of Baluchistan, Quetta Pakistan

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Published

2024-03-13

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Section

Original Research