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Effects of L-Carnitine on Equine Semen Quality During Liquid Storage.
Abstract: l-Carnitine (LC) plays a key role in sperm metabolism, easily providing energy through β-oxidation, which positively affects motility. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between blood plasma and seminal plasma LC levels, as well as the effect of LC as an additive in a skimmed milk-based extender during sperm storage at 5°C. In the first experiment, semen and blood samples from 14 Quarter Horse stallions were used. The LC content in blood plasma and seminal plasma was determined by spectrophotometry and their relationships with seminal parameters were evaluated. In the second experiment, ejaculates ( = 16) from four Quarter Horses were used. Each ejaculate was split into four treatment groups with different LC concentrations: 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM. Sperm motility, integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, intracellular reactive oxygen species content, and plasma membrane stability were evaluated immediately after samples reached 5°C (0 hour) and after 24, 48, and 72 hours. There was a positive correlation ( < 0.05) between LC levels in seminal plasma with both sperm concentration and plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity. Furthermore, the addition of LC (1 and 2 mM) preserved the motility of equine sperm stored at 5°C. It was concluded that the concentrations of LC with seminal plasma present correlate to semen parameters and the addition of LC to skimmed milk-based extender preserves the motility of equine sperm stored at 5°C for up to 48 hours.
Publication Date: 2020-08-17 PubMed ID: 32799560DOI: 10.1089/bio.2020.0025Google 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 observes the impact of L-Carnitine (LC) in maintaining the quality of horse sperm during storage. The research finds a strong correlation between LC levels in the semen with the sperm concentration, integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, and the positive role of LC in preserving the mobility of the stored sperm.
Objective and Methodology
- The aim was to evaluate the relation between LC levels in blood plasma and seminal plasma, and its effect when added to a skimmed milk-based extender during sperm storage.
- The research was conducted in two experiments. The first experiment involved taking blood and semen samples from 14 Quarter Horse stallions to determine the LC content. The correlation between LC content and seminal parameters was examined.
- In the second experiment, ejaculates from four Quarter Horses were used and split into four groups with different LC concentrations. The research evaluated sperm motility, integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species and plasma membrane stability at different time intervals.
Findings
- The experimental results showed a positive correlation between LC levels present in seminal plasma and both sperm concentration and the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes.
- The subsequent addition of LC in a concentration of 1 and 2 mM managed to preserve the motility of equine sperm stored at 5°C, highlighting its role in maintaining sperm quality during storage.
Conclusion
- The concentration of LC in seminal plasma has a significant relation to various seminal parameters.
- The role of LC as an additive can help preserve the motility and overall quality of equine sperm even while it’s stored at 5°C for up to 48 hours.
Cite This Article
APA
Nery IHAV, Araújo Silva RAJ, Souza HM, Arruda LCP, Monteiro MM, Seal DCM, Silva GR, Silva TMS, Carneiro GF, Batista AM, Câmara DR, Guerra MMP.
(2020).
Effects of L-Carnitine on Equine Semen Quality During Liquid Storage.
Biopreserv Biobank, 18(5), 403-408.
https://doi.org/10.1089/bio.2020.0025 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Bioprospecting Laboratory of Phytochemistry (BIOFITO), Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Bioprospecting Laboratory of Phytochemistry (BIOFITO), Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Federal University of Alagoas, Viçosa, Brazil.
- Andrology Laboratory (ANDROLAB), Department Veterinary Medicine, and Department of Molecular Science, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Carnitine
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Semen
- Semen Analysis
- Semen Preservation
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Macêdo IN, Arruda LCP, de Santana BB, de Moura TCM, Guerra MMP, Bezerra DG, Carneiro GF, Silva SV. The interference of ozone gas in kinects and mitochondrial potential of equine sperm submitted on cryopreservation. Anim Reprod 2021;18(4):e20210075.
- Silvestre MA, Yániz JL, Peña FJ, Santolaria P, Castelló-Ruiz M. Role of Antioxidants in Cooled Liquid Storage of Mammal Spermatozoa. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021 Jul 8;10(7).
- Castiglione Morelli MA, Ostuni A, Giangaspero B, Cecchini S, Carluccio A, Boni R. Relationships between Seminal Plasma Metabolites, Semen Characteristics and Sperm Kinetics in Donkey (Equus asinus). Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 15;11(1).
- Akhigbe RE, Oyedokun PA, Adeogun AE, Ogunleye OO, Adegbola CA, Akhigbe TM. The aging male: impact of aging on male reproduction. Biogerontology 2025 Oct 31;26(6):198.
- 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).
- Díaz Rojas E, Carrillo Moreno DI, Contreras Villarreal V, Arellano Rodríguez F, Alvarado Espino AS, Ángel García O. Effect of nutraceutical supplementation on semen quality in stallions. Vet Med Sci 2023 Nov;9(6):2600-2605.
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