Milk, caseinate and lactoferrin addition to equine semen cooling extenders.
Abstract: Cooled semen has been used routinely to prolong sperm viability until artificial insemination time. However, spermatozoa are subjected to oxidative stress. The aim of the present work was to investigate the protective and antioxidant effect of the milk proteins lactoferrin (Lf) and caseinate added to equine semen cooling extenders. Semen from six stallions was cooled at 5 °C after resuspension with C1) milk- and glucose-based, C2) 0.6% caseinate, C3) C2 + Lf 200 μg ml-1 , C4) C2 + Lf 500 μg ml-1 and C5) C2 + Lf 1000 μg ml-1 extenders, and kept at 5 °C for 24 h. Sperm motility characteristics and intact membrane rates were not different among the treatments (P > 0.05). As a result of the cooling process, the nitrite concentration increased significantly in the cooled semen (69.6 ± 78.9 μm per ×106 spermatozoa) compared with the fresh semen (8.6 ± 1.9 μm per ×106 spermatozoa). In contrast, the H2 O2 concentrations were lower in the 0.6% caseinate extender (265.9 ± 221.3 μm per ×106 spermatozoa) than in the milk extender (430.9 ± 199.8 μm per ×106 spermatozoa, P < 0.05), showing an antioxidative effect of the caseinate compared with the milk. However, in all groups, hydrogen peroxide concentrations were similar to the undiluted fresh semen (332.8 ± 151.3 μm per ×106 spermatozoa). Caseinate showed to be as efficient as milk to protect equine-cooled spermatozoon.
© 2016 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2016-01-14 PubMed ID: 27739145DOI: 10.1111/and.12523Google 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 research investigated the potential benefits of adding milk proteins, namely lactoferrin and caseinate, to the cooling solutions used to preserve horse semen. The study found that these proteins could potentially protect spermatozoa from oxidative stress and maintain their viability for artificial insemination.
Research Objective and Methodology
- The aim of this study was to examine the protective and antioxidant effects of lactoferrin (Lf) and caseinate when added to solutions that cool equine semen. This is to ensure that the semen is viable for artificial insemination.
- The semen was collected from six stallions and cooled at 5°C, before being treated with various solutions, some containing milk proteins and others glucose-based.
- Several treatments were used: a glucose-based milk extender (C1), a 0.6% caseinate extender (C2), and three caseinate extenders with different Lf concentrations (C3, C4, C5).
- The semen was stored at 5°C for 24 hours after treatment, and subsequently evaluated for sperm motility and membrane integrity.
Research Findings
- The sperm motility characteristics and intact membrane rates were found to be uniform across all treatments, with no significant variations (P > 0.05).
- After the cooling process, nitrite concentrations significantly increased in the cooled semen compared to fresh semen. This shows the presence of oxidative stress.
- However, lower hydrogen peroxide concentrations observed in the 0.6% caseinate extender compared to the milk extender suggest that the caseinate may be having an antioxidant effect.
- It was also observed that the hydrogen peroxide concentrations in all groups were consistent with those in fresh, undiluted semen.
Conclusion
- Overall, the research concluded that caseinate was as effective as milk in preserving and protecting cooled horse semen.
- These findings suggest that caseinate, and potentially other milk proteins, could be a useful addition to semen cooling solutions in order to maintain the viability of sperm for artificial insemination.
Cite This Article
APA
Martins HS, Souza MR, Penna CF, da Silva GC, Côrtes SF, Stahlberg R, Lagares MA.
(2016).
Milk, caseinate and lactoferrin addition to equine semen cooling extenders.
Andrologia, 48(9), 862-868.
https://doi.org/10.1111/and.12523 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Clinic and surgery department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Technology and Inspection of Products of Animal, Origin Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Technology and Inspection of Products of Animal, Origin Department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Institute of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Institute of Biological Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Veterinary Faculty, PUC Minas, Betim, Bairro Angola, Betim, MG, Brazil.
- Clinic and surgery department, Veterinary School, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. mlagares@ufmg.br.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antioxidants
- Caseins
- Cell Membrane / metabolism
- Cold Temperature
- Horses
- Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism
- Insemination, Artificial / methods
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Lactoferrin
- Male
- Milk
- Nitrites / metabolism
- Semen / metabolism
- Semen Preservation / methods
- Semen Preservation / veterinary
- Sperm Motility
- Spermatozoa / physiology
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
