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Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research2021; 8(4); 635-641; doi: 10.5455/javar.2021.h555

A combination of taurine and caffeine maintains sperm quality in equine semen during chilled storage.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of caffeine and taurine on the motility and viability of chilled equine semen. Methods: A total of 12 ejaculates were collected from three mature stallions with proven fertility during the breeding season. The gel-free spermatic fraction of each ejaculate was divided into two aliquots and diluted with a semen extender (either INRA 96® or BotuSemen Gold®). The aliquots were then split and assigned to one of the six treatment groups: control (no supplement), caffeine (2 and 4 mM), taurine (25 and 50 mM), and a combination of caffeine (2 mM) plus taurine (25 mM). Samples were stored at 4°C and analyzed at different time points (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h) to evaluate total (TMOT) and progressive (PMOT) motility and viability by computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results: Regardless of the extender, PMOT and TMOT decreased over time. However, compared with the control, the treatment with 4 mM caffeine significantly mitigated the decrease in PMOT at 72 h. Additionally, semen treated with a combination of caffeine plus taurine maintained a significantly higher PMOT at 96 h, with improved viability at all time points. Conclusions: The combination of caffeine plus taurine helps maintain chilled equine semen viability and progressive motility up to 96 h independently of the extender used.
Copyright: © Journal of Advanced Veterinary and Animal Research.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-03 PubMed ID: 35106304PubMed Central: PMC8757662DOI: 10.5455/javar.2021.h555Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article discusses the impact of caffeine and taurine on maintaining the quality of chilled equine sperm. The study reveals that these substances significantly improve the long-term viability and motility of the sperm during cold storage.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to scrutinize the effects of caffeine and taurine on the motility and viability of equine sperm during chilled storage.
  • The researchers collected a total of 12 ejaculates from three mature stallions with proven fertility during the breeding season.
  • The spermatic fraction of each ejaculate, free of gel, was divided into two aliquots and diluted with two different semen extenders. These extenders were known as INRA 96® and BotuSemen Gold®.
  • The aliquots were further split and allocated to six different treatment groups, and samples were stored at 4°C. The groups comprised the control group, 2mM and 4mM caffeine groups, 25mM and 50mM taurine groups and a combination group of 2mM caffeine plus 25mM taurine.
  • At different time intervals (0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours), the total and progressive motility and viability of the sperm were evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis.

Key Findings

  • The examination revealed a decrease in the Progressive Motility (PMOT) and Total Motility (TMOT) with the course of time irrespective of the semen extender used.
  • The decrease in PMOT was significantly mitigated at the 72-hour mark when the semen was treated with 4mM caffeine. This indicated caffeine’s potential to slow down the decline of sperm motility under cold storage.
  • Even more promising results were observed with a combination of caffeine and taurine. This mix retained significantly higher PMOT over 96 hours, while also showing improved viability at all the given time points.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that combining caffeine and taurine could help maintain the viability and progressive motility of chilled equine semen for up to 96 hours. This was observed independently from the extender used for the semen processing.

This research provides a significant lead in enhancing the efficiency of equine semen storage and transportation, potentially benefiting the breeding industry.

Cite This Article

APA
Ramirez-Perez H, Guerrero-Netro HM, Torres-Rodríguez P, Díaz-Durán M, Boeta-Acosta AM, Diaw M. (2021). A combination of taurine and caffeine maintains sperm quality in equine semen during chilled storage. J Adv Vet Anim Res, 8(4), 635-641. https://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2021.h555

Publication

Journal of advanced veterinary and animal research
ISSN: 2311-7710
NlmUniqueID: 101647585
Country: Bangladesh
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 4
Pages: 635-641

Researcher Affiliations

Ramirez-Perez, Hermelinda
  • Depto. de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria Zootecnia, UNAM, Ciudad de México, México.
  • These two authors contributed equally.
Guerrero-Netro, Hilda Morayma
  • Depto. de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria Zootecnia, UNAM, Ciudad de México, México.
  • These two authors contributed equally.
Torres-Rodríguez, Paulina
  • Instituto de Biotecnología, UNAM, Morelos, México.
Díaz-Durán, Maricruz
  • Depto. de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria Zootecnia, UNAM, Ciudad de México, México.
Boeta-Acosta, Ana Myriam
  • Depto. de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria Zootecnia, UNAM, Ciudad de México, México.
Diaw, Mouhamadou
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Li Y, Peng Q, Shang J, Dong W, Wu S, Guo X, Xie Z, Chen C. The role of taurine in male reproduction: Physiology, pathology and toxicology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023;14:1017886.
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  2. Halo M Jr, Tirpák F, Slanina T, Tokárová K, Massányi M, Dianová L, Mlyneková E, Greń A, Halo M, Massányi P. A Combination of Taurine and Caffeine in Stallion Semen Extender Positively Affects the Spermatozoa Parameters. Cells 2023 Jan 14;12(2).
    doi: 10.3390/cells12020320pubmed: 36672253google scholar: lookup
  3. Ullah A, Chen W, Shi L, Wang M, Geng M, Na J, Akhtar MF, Khan MZ, Wang C. Challenges and Enhancing Strategies of Equine Semen Preservation: Nutritional and Genetic Perspectives. Vet Sci 2025 Aug 25;12(9).
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