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Home / Equine Research Bank / Reprod Domest Anim / Evaluation of the effect of conventional and natural antifun...
Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene2022; 57(7); 701-710; doi: 10.1111/rda.14109

Evaluation of the effect of conventional and natural antifungals on motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen.

Abstract: Microbial growth in semen may cause a decline of sperm quality and fertility; however, the addition of antifungals to semen extender has been shown to impair the overall fertility of the sperm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of conventional and natural compounds, and their effect on the motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. A total of 15 ejaculates from five stallions were collected using the artificial vagina. Each ejaculate was supplemented with: fluconazole at 12.5 (F1), 25 (F2) and 50 (F3) mg/ml; amphotericin-B at 6.5 (A1), 12.5 (A2) and 25 (A3) mg/ml (A3); clotrimazole at 12.5 (C1), 25 (C2) and 50 (C3) mg/ml; isoespintanol at 50 (I1), 100 (I2) and 150 (I3) µM; thymol at 50 (T1), 100 (T2) and 150 (T3) µM; and a control without supplementation. Motility and kinetics of semen at 0, 24 and 48 hr of cooling at 15°C were assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). At hour 48 of cooling, the antifungal effect of the treatments was evaluated. At hour 0 of cooling, amphotericin-B and I3 showed a reduction in most of the motility and kinetic parameters evaluated (p < .05). These treatments, and also C2 and C3, showed similar results at 24 and 48 hr of cooling. Thymol maintained motility and kinetics of the spermatozoa at all evaluated refrigeration times. Besides, I2 showed a decrease (p < .05) in the colony-forming unit compared to that in the control. It is concluded that thymol and isospintanol could be added as natural antifungals in extenders for stallion semen refrigeration.
© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-09 PubMed ID: 35253292DOI: 10.1111/rda.14109Google 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.

This research aims to study the effect of conventional and natural antifungal compounds on the motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. The findings suggest that natural antifungal agents, thymol and isospintanol, demonstrate the potential to be included in extenders for preserving stallion semen.

Objective of the Study

  • The study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal activity of both conventional and natural compounds and observe their impact on the motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. This is due to concerns about microbial growth in semen, which can cause reduced sperm quality and fertility. Simultaneously, the usage of antifungals with semen usually decreases the overall fertility of the sperm.

Conduct of the Experiment

  • A total of 15 ejaculates from five stallions were used in this study. Each ejaculate was enhanced with different concentrations of conventional antifungal compounds including fluconazole, amphotericin-B and clotrimazole, and natural compounds isoespintanol and thymol.
  • The motility and kinetics or movement of the semen were determined using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) at the initial time (0 hours), then after 24 hours and 48 hours of cooling at 15 degrees Celsius.
  • Following a 48-hour cooling period, the antifungal activity of the treatments was evaluated.

Findings of the Study

  • Results indicated that the motility and kinetic attributes were significantly reduced by some treatments involving amphotericin-B and high concentration isoespintanol (I3) initially (at 0 hour). The same treatments, as well as clotrimazole at concentrations C2 and C3, demonstrated similar outcomes after 24 and 48 hours of cooling.
  • On the other hand, thymol managed to keep the motility and kinetics of sperm stable throughout the evaluated preservation times.
  • Additionally, a less concentrated isoespintanol (I2) demonstrated a significant reduction in the number of colony-forming units compared to the control group.

Conclusion of the Study

  • The conclusion drawn from this study is that thymol and isoespintanol have potential as natural antifungal agents which could be added to extenders for stallion semen preservation, due to their effective antifungal activity and lesser effect on semen quality.

Cite This Article

APA
Usuga A, Gutiérrez V, López ME, Pérez LF, Jaramillo L, Rojano B, Restrepo G. (2022). Evaluation of the effect of conventional and natural antifungals on motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. Reprod Domest Anim, 57(7), 701-710. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14109

Publication

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene
ISSN: 1439-0531
NlmUniqueID: 9015668
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 7
Pages: 701-710

Researcher Affiliations

Usuga, Alexandra
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
Gutiérrez, Víctor
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
López, María Elisa
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
Pérez, Luisa Fernanda
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
Jaramillo, Lorena
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidad CES, Medellín, Colombia.
Rojano, Benjamín
  • Faculty of Science, Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín, Medellín, Colombia.
Restrepo, Giovanni
  • Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia sede Medellín, Medellín, Colombia.

MeSH Terms

  • Amphotericin B / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Monoterpenes
  • Semen
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa
  • Thymol / pharmacology

Grant Funding

  • CES University

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Kchikich A, Kirschvink N, Raes M, El Otmani S, Chebli Y, Bister JL, El Amiri B, Barrijal S, Chentouf M. Carvacrol and Thymol Enhance the Quality of Beni Arouss Buck Semen Stored at 4 °C Thanks to Their Antimicrobial Properties. Vet Sci 2024 Sep 3;11(9).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci11090406pubmed: 39330785google scholar: lookup
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