Effect of antioxidants on preservation of motility, viability and acrosomal integrity of equine spermatozoa during storage at 5°C

doi:10.1016/S0093-691X(01)00590-8

Theriogenology

Volume 56, Issue 4, 1 September 2001, Pages 577-589

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(01)00590-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

Preservation of liquid semen at 5°C is an important technique in the breeding management of horses. Oxidative damage to spermatozoa during storage is a potential cause of the decline in motility and fertility during hypothermic storage of liquid semen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of water-soluble and lipid-soluble antioxidants to improve the maintenance of motility of equine spermatozoa at 5°C during storage for 72 to 96 h. In Experiment 1, the effect of addition of catalase on the maintenance of motility, viability and acrosomal integrity was determined. Semen was collected, and these treatments were applied: catalase (0, 100 or 200 U/mL) in nonfat, dried skim milk extender (NFDSM; with or without seminal plasma) or 10% seminal plasma + NFDSM. Motility was determined by computerized semen analysis (CASA) at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Viability and acrosomal integrity were determined at 72 h of storage. There was no significant treatment effect on the maintenance of sperm motility during 72 h storage. In Experiment 2, the effect of adding lipid-soluble antioxidants on maintenance of motility was evaluated. Semen was diluted to a final concentration of 25 × 10⁶ sperm/mL in NFDSM containing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 2.0, 1.0, or 0.5 mM), Vitamin E (4.0, 2.0, 1.0 mM), or Tempo (2.0, 1.0, or 0.5 mM). Although the addition of BHT significantly reduced (P < 0.05) progressive motility during storage compared to the control, there were no positive treatment effects of either Vitamin E or Tempo on maintenance of motility. In Experiment 3, the effect of adding water-soluble antioxidants on maintenance of motility was evaluated. Semen was diluted in NFDSM containing these treatments: Trolox (2.0 mM), Tempo (1.0 mM), Vitamin C (0.45 mg/mL), BSA (3% w/v), combinations of these antioxidants, or control. Adding these water-soluble antioxidants did not significantly improve the maintenance of motility during cooled storage at 5°C. In conclusion, adding the enzyme scavenger, catalase, or a variety of lipid- and water-soluble antioxidants did not significantly improve the maintenance of motility during liquid semen storage at 5°C.

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Effect of antioxidants on preservation of motility, viability and acrosomal integrity of equine spermatozoa during storage at 5°C

Abstract

J Dairy Sci

Theriogenology

Poult Sci

Theriogenology

Theriogenology

Theriogenology

Free Radic Biol Med

Anim Reprod Sci

Anim Reprod Sci

Effect of vitamin E addition on equine sperm preservation

Comunicaciones Biologicas

Catalase activity in equine semen

Am J Vet Res