Abstract: Preservation of liquid semen at 5 degrees C is an important technique in the breeding management of horses. Oxidative damage to spermatozoa during storage is a potential cause of the decline in motility and fertility during hypothermic storage of liquid semen. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of water-soluble and lipid-soluble antioxidants to improve the maintenance of motility of equine spermatozoa at 5 degrees C during storage for 72 to 96 h. In Experiment 1, the effect of addition of catalase on the maintenance of motility, viability and acrosomal integrity was determined. Semen was collected, and these treatments were applied: catalase (0, 100 or 200 U/mL) in nonfat, dried skim milk extender (NFDSM; with or without seminal plasma) or 10% seminal plasma + NFDSM. Motility was determined by computerized semen analysis (CASA) at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Viability and acrosomal integrity were determined at 72 h of storage. There was no significant treatment effect on the maintenance of sperm motility during 72 h storage. In Experiment 2, the effect of adding lipid-soluble antioxidants on maintenance of motility was evaluated. Semen was diluted to a final concentration of 25 x 10(6) sperm/mL in NFDSM containing butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 2.0, 1.0, or 0.5 mM), Vitamin E (4.0, 2.0, 1.0 mM), or Tempo (2.0, 1.0, or 0.5 mM). Although the addition of BHT significantly reduced (P < 0.05) progressive motility during storage compared to the control, there were no positive treatment effects of either Vitamin E or Tempo on maintenance of motility. In Experiment 3, the effect of adding water-soluble antioxidants on maintenance of motility was evaluated. Semen was diluted in NFDSM containing these treatments: Trolox (2.0 mM), Tempo (1.0 mM), Vitamin C (0.45 mg/mL), BSA (3% w/v), combinations of these antioxidants, or control. Adding these water-soluble antioxidants did not significantly improve the maintenance of motility during cooled storage at 5 degrees C. In conclusion, adding the enzyme scavenger, catalase, or a variety of lipid- and water-soluble antioxidants did not significantly improve the maintenance of motility during liquid semen storage at 5 degrees C.
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The research study explores the impact of antioxidants on the preservation of equine spermatozoa motility, viability, and acrosomal integrity during storage at 5 degrees Celsius. The investigation revealed that adding antioxidants or the enzyme scavenger (catalase) had no significant effect on maintaining motility during storage.
Research Purpose and Objectives
The primary purpose of this study was to understand the effect of various antioxidants on preserving the motility, viability, and acrosomal integrity of horse sperm at low temperatures.
The study aimed to improve the techniques of semen preservation, which are critical in horse breeding management.
The paper also sought to mitigate the oxidative damage that potentially causes a decline in sperm motility and fertility during hypothermic storage.
Methodology
The study was carried out using three different experiments over a period of 72 to 96 hours, with sperm stored at 5 degrees Celsius.
The first experiment evaluated the effect of adding catalase (parenteral antioxidant enzyme) to the semen. Measurements of motility, viability, and acrosomal integrity were taken after catalase treatments.
In the second experiment, the emphasis was on understanding how the inclusion of lipid-soluble antioxidants (i.e., Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Vitamin E, and Tempo) affected the maintenance of motility.
The third experiment focused on water-soluble antioxidants (Trolox, Tempo, Vitamin C, and BSA) and their impact on sperm motility.
After the addition of these substances, motility was evaluated using computerized semen analysis at different time intervals during the storage period.
Key Findings
The study found no significant impact of the addition of catalase on maintaining motility, viability, and acrosomal integrity in the first experiment.
The second experiment revealed that adding lipid-soluble antioxidants did not offer any positive treatment effect in maintaining sperm motility, and BHT even reduced progressive motility during storage.
In the third experiment, it was determined that the introduction of water-soluble antioxidants did not significantly improve the maintenance of sperm motility during storage at 5 degrees Celsius.
Overall, the study revealed that the addition of a variety of lipid- and water-soluble antioxidants or enzyme scavengers did not have a significant effect on preserving the motility of equine spermatozoa during storage at 5 degrees Celsius.
Cite This Article
APA
Ball BA, Medina V, Gravance CG, Baumbe J.
(2001).
Effect of antioxidants on preservation of motility,viability and acrosomal integrity of equine spermatozoa during storage at 5 degrees C.
Theriogenology, 56(4), 577-589.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0093-691x(01)00590-8
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