Open Access
Alpha-tocopherol improves frozen-thawed sperm quality by reducing hydrogen peroxide during cryopreservation of bull semen
Author(s) -
Mona Motemani,
Mohammad Chamani,
Mohsen Sharafi,
Reza Masoudi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
spanish journal of agricultural research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.337
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2171-9292
pISSN - 1695-971X
DOI - 10.5424/sjar/2017151-9761
Subject(s) - extender , cryopreservation , semen , chemistry , malondialdehyde , semen cryopreservation , hydrogen peroxide , andrology , sperm , tocopherol , antioxidant , lipid peroxidation , sperm motility , vitamin e , zoology , biology , biochemistry , medicine , embryo , polyurethane , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of α-tocopherol in cryopreservation media on the bull sperm quality after thawing. Semen samples were collected from six Holstein bulls using artificial vagina twice a week. Semen samples were pooled to eliminate individual differences and then divided into four equal parts for freezing with extenders containing different concentrations of α-tocopherol according to experimental groups as follows: 0 (control), 1.2 mM (E1), 2.4 mM (E2) and 4.8 mM (E4). Motion characteristics, viability, plasma membrane functionality, lipid peroxidation and H2O2 status were determined after thawing. Results showed that malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was significantly lower in E4 (6.1±0.6 nmol/mL) than E1 and E2 extenders (8.1±0.6 nmol/mL and 8±0.6 nmol/mL, respectively). Also, the lowest significant concentration of H2O2 was observed in E4 (3.2±0.13 nmol/mL) compared to E1 (4 ±0.1 nmol/mL), E2 (5.3± 0.1 nmol/mL) and control (6.7±0.1 nmol/mL). Moreover, E2 and E4 produced the highest significant motility (74.2±1.6%, 75.9±1.6%), viability (78.2±1.8%, 76.1±1.8%) and membrane functionality (73±1.6%, 70.5±1.6%) compared to other groups. It can be concluded that α-tocopherol at the concentration of 4.8 mM can be an efficient antioxidant additive in Bioxcell extender for cryopreservation of bull semen