The role of rabbit seminal plasma natural antioxidants in the realization of spermatozoid activity after ionizing irradiation

Aim. To investigate the effects of X-rays on the content of rabbit seminal plasma L-carnitine and α-tocopherol, as well as physiological parameters of spermatozoid in 10, 30 and 90 days after whole body irradiation of animals in the dose range of 0.1–2.0 Gy. Methods. White rabbits-males Soviet Shinshila were irradiated by X-rays. Physiological parameters of sperm were evaluated by light microscopy, and the content of natural antioxidants was determined using liquid chromatograph “Agilent 1200”. Results. It was shown that low doses of ionizing radiation (0.1 Gy and 0.5 Gy) in 10 days after irradiation lead to the increase of the L-carnitine level in seminal plasma, whereas at 1.0 Gy and 2.0 Gy its concentration decreases. In additional, there is a decrease in the seminal plasma α-tocopherol content with a minimum of 2.0 Gy, although a dose of 0.1 Gy dose not cause changes in the index. The L-carnitine level is no longer different from the control for a dose 0.1 Gy in one month after rabbit irradiation, while the α-tocopherol concentration continues to decrease. Conclusions. The increasing of L-carnitine level in the rabbit’s seminal plasma at 0.1 Gy and 0.5 Gy contributes to increased motility and a radio-stimulating effect on sperm. Radiation-induced depletion of the α-tocopherol pool in semen disappears at a later period. Keywords: ionizing radiation, rabbits, seminal plasma, natural antioxidants