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Home / Equine Research Bank / Cells / A Combination of Taurine and Caffeine in Stallion Semen Exte...
Cells2023; 12(2); 320; doi: 10.3390/cells12020320

A Combination of Taurine and Caffeine in Stallion Semen Extender Positively Affects the Spermatozoa Parameters.

Abstract: This study was aimed to determine the impact of different taurine and caffeine combinations on the motility, viability, and oxidative markers of chilled stallion spermatozoa. Each stallion semen sample was diluted in a ratio of 1:2, with various taurine and caffeine concentrations (2.5-7.5 mg/mL taurine + 0.625-1.25 mg/mL caffeine) dissolved in a conventional extender. The control samples (CON) were prepared by diluting ejaculate only using the conventional extender. The motility was analyzed using a CASA system at different time intervals (0, 6, 12, 24, and 30 h) and the viability was evaluated using a mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT) performed at the end of the incubation at 5 °C. The liquid part of experimental samples was separated by centrifugation after 30 h of incubation and underwent the evaluation of oxidative stress via the quantification of markers ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and total oxidant status (TOS). The samples that were treated with a combination of taurine and caffeine significantly improved the motility parameters, mainly after 12, 24, and 30 h of incubation. Samples extended with combination of taurine and caffeine neither compromise viability nor alterations of redox status. The results of this study describe the combination of taurine and caffeine as an optimal supplement for improving the quality of stallion semen during chilled storage.
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Publication Date: 2023-01-14 PubMed ID: 36672253PubMed Central: PMC9856288DOI: 10.3390/cells12020320Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study investigated the effects of taurine and caffeine on the viability, motility, and oxidative markers of chilled stallion sperm. The findings suggested that a combination of these two substances can significantly improve the quality of stallion semen during chilled storage.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers set out to determine the impact of different combinations of taurine and caffeine on the motility, viability, and oxidative markers of chilled stallion spermatozoa.
  • The sperm samples from stallions were diluted in a ratio of 1:2. The dilution agent consisted of various concentrations of taurine and caffeine (ranging from 2.5-7.5 mg/mL for taurine and 0.625-1.25 mg/mL for caffeine) dissolved in a conventional semen extender.
  • Control samples were also prepared by simply diluting the ejaculate with the conventional extender only.

Analysis and Evaluation

  • The mobility of the sperm samples was analyzed using a Computer-Assisted Sperm Analyses (CASA) system at fixed time intervals, which were 0, 6, 12, 24, and 30 hours respectively.
  • The viability of the sperm was evaluated using a mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT) conducted at the end of the incubation period at a temperature of 5 degrees Celsius.
  • The liquid portion of the experimental samples was separated by centrifugation after 30 hours of incubation to assess oxidative stress. This assessment was carried out through the quantification of oxidative markers known as Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS).

Findings

  • The study revealed a significant improvement in the motility parameters of the sperm samples that were treated with a combination of taurine and caffeine, particularly after 12, 24, and 30 hours of incubation.
  • No compromise in viability or alterations in redox status were observed in samples extended with a combination of taurine and caffeine.
  • Overall, the study demonstrated that taurine and caffeine as combined supplements provide an optimum solution for improving the quality of stallion semen during chilled storage.

Cite This Article

APA
Halo M, Tirpák F, Slanina T, Tokárová K, Massányi M, Dianová L, Mlyneková E, Greń A, Halo M, Massányi P. (2023). A Combination of Taurine and Caffeine in Stallion Semen Extender Positively Affects the Spermatozoa Parameters. Cells, 12(2), 320. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12020320

Publication

Cells
ISSN: 2073-4409
NlmUniqueID: 101600052
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
PII: 320

Researcher Affiliations

Halo, Marko
  • Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Tirpák, Filip
  • AgroBioTech, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Slanina, Tomáš
  • Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Tokárová, Katarína
  • Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Massányi, Martin
  • AgroBioTech, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Dianová, Lucia
  • Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Mlyneková, Eva
  • Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Greń, Agnieszka
  • Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland.
Halo, Marko
  • Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.
Massányi, Peter
  • Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Semen
  • Caffeine / pharmacology
  • Taurine / pharmacology
  • Sperm Motility
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Spermatozoa

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Halo M Jr, Kirchner R, Tirpák F, Slanina T, Tokárová K, Kováčik A, Miškeje M, Greń A, Formicki G, Halo M, Madeddu R, Massányi P. Essential and risk elements in horses affect haematology, serum biochemistry and oxidative status parameters. Sci Rep 2025 Jan 28;15(1):3489.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-87908-6pubmed: 39875518google scholar: lookup
  2. Halo M Jr, Tirpák F, Massányi M, Dianová L, Lenický M, Slanina T, Zemanová J, Matušková A, Greń A, Halo M, Massányi P. Calcium affects stallion spermatozoa parameters in different incubation temperatures. Heliyon 2024 Aug 30;10(16):e35879.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35879pubmed: 39220990google scholar: lookup
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