Consequences of adding gum Arabic as a cryoprotectant on motility and viability of frozen stallion semen.
Abstract: A trial was conducted to check effect of adding gum Arabic (GA) instead of egg yolk (EY) as a cryoprotectant for stallion sperm. Two experiments were designed; experiment I tested adding 3 levels of nonheated GA (i.e., 3, 6 and 9 g/100 mL diluents) in HF-20 extender. However, in experiment II the same levels were tested except that GA was heated at 80 °C for 60 min. HF-20 containing 10% of EY was used as control. In experiment I, sperm frozen in HF-20 containing nonheated GA exhibited lower percentages of motile sperm, progressively motile sperm and sperm with intact plasma membranes, vitality rate, and acrosome integrity after cooling or after deep freezing. Frozen semen in HF-20 containing 3-6% of preheated GA in experiment II maintained sperm motility at 46-50% and elevated progressive motility at 27%. The semen diluted in preheated GA (6%) and frozen exhibited a fertility rate of 40% (2/5). A similar fertility rate (40%) was found in the control semen (i.e. 10%) compared to those that were inseminated with frozen semen in preheated 3% GA (20%, 1/5). These results suggest that preheated GA could be used as an alternative cryoprotectant for cryopreserving stallion sperm.
Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2017-10-03 PubMed ID: 28986134DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.09.008Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 study explores the potential of using gum Arabic as an alternative cryoprotectant, replacing egg yolk, to freeze stallion sperm. It found that preheated gum Arabic could maintain sperm quality and fertility rates, suggesting its viability as an alternative protective substance for cryopreserving stallion sperm.
Research Design and Methodology
- This investigation consisted of two experiments where the effects of adding different levels of gum Arabic (GA), both nonheated and heated, to stallion semen were evaluated.
- The first experiment tested the addition of nonheated GA in three different concentrations: 3, 6, and 9 grams per 100 mL of diluents – this was done in an HF-20 extender, a commonly used solution for semen dilution and preservation.
- In the second experiment, the same levels of GA were added, but this time, they were preheated at 80°C for one hour.
- An HF-20 extender containing 10% egg yolk (EY) was used as a control for both experiments – this is a typical component in semen extenders for its cryoprotective capabilities.
Findings and Conclusions
- In the first experiment, sperm frozen in HF-20 with nonheated GA displayed a decrease in motility, integrity of sperm membranes, vitality rate, and acrosome integrity.
- However, when the GA was preheated, as in the second experiment, sperm retained better motility, with rates between 46-50%, and increased progressive motility, with a rate of 27%.
- The best fertility rate was achieved with frozen semen diluted in preheated 6% GA, showing a successful fertilization rate of 40% – comparable to the control semen rate. On the other hand, when frozen semen diluted in preheated 3% GA was used, the fertility rate dropped to 20%.
- The research concluded on a promising note, suggesting preheated GA as a potential alternative cryoprotectant to traditionally used substances like egg yolk for cryopreserving stallion sperm, given the maintained sperm motility and fertility rates.
Cite This Article
APA
Ali M, Musa MM, Alfadul S, Al-Sobayel K.
(2017).
Consequences of adding gum Arabic as a cryoprotectant on motility and viability of frozen stallion semen.
Cryobiology, 79, 21-28.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2017.09.008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Production and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim State, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: mohamed0_9@yahoo.com.
- Department of Chemistry, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia.
- King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, P.O.Box 6086, Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia.
- Animal Production and Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim State, Saudi Arabia.
MeSH Terms
- Acrosome / drug effects
- Acrosome / physiology
- Animals
- Cell Membrane
- Cryopreservation / methods
- Cryoprotective Agents / pharmacology
- Egg Yolk / metabolism
- Freezing
- Gum Arabic / pharmacology
- Horses
- Male
- Semen / physiology
- Semen Analysis
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Sperm Motility / drug effects
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Firouzabadi AM. Gum Acacia as a Novel Therapeutic Agent for Male Infertility: What Does the Evidence Say?. Am J Mens Health 2026 Jan-Feb;20(1):15579883261420406.
- Shehab-El-Deen M, Ali M, Al-Sharari M. Effects of Extenders Supplementation with Gum Arabic and Antioxidants on Ram Spermatozoa Quality after Cryopreservation. Animals (Basel) 2022 Dec 28;13(1).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
