Antioxidant Effect of Melatonin on Arabic Ram Semen Parameters after Freeze - Thawing Process

Document Type : Physiology

Authors

• sedighe mohamadi ¹
• morteza mamouei ²
• Saleh Tabatabaei Vakili ³
• jamal fayazi ⁴

¹ Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan

² Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Ramin of Khuzesta

³ Faculty of Animal Sciences, Ramin Khuzestan University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malasani, Ahvaz, Iran

⁴ Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Ramin of Khuzestan

10.22067/ijasr.v10i2.61116

Abstract

Introduction Semen collection evaluation and addition of preservatives to increase storage period of sperm are essential for successful artificial insemination. Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is becoming more important because of new clinical requirements and current clinical practice. Although frozen-thawed semen has great practical benefits for reproduction, it is widely reported that the cryopreservation process involving cooling, freezing, and thawing induces serious detrimental changes in sperm functions. The viability, motility and membrane integrity of mammalian spermatozoa decrease during the cryopreservation process. Many studies exist as regards the effects of antioxidants on the cryopreservation aimed at improving the quality of post-thaw semen. Antioxidant molecules could decrease the impact of oxidative stress and therefore improve Sperm quality following the freeze–thawing process. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a derivative of tryptophan, is mainly synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland during the night in reaction to changes in light levels. Melatonin can stimulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GSH-Px. melatonin scavenges a variety of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in vivo and in vitro, signifying it has a powerful non-enzymatic antioxidant property. It has been shown that the spermatozoa undergo a freeze–thawing process produced high concentrations of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects different levels of melatonin supplementation (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mM/ml) in extender on semen characteristics the Arabic ram after freezing-thawing.
Materials and Methods This research was performed at Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan in the fall in 2015. Semen samples were collected from 6 Arabic ram with an average weight 73 ± 3 kg by electro ejaculator twice a week. Sperm samples motility were assessed by Computer Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) after freezing and thawing. The pH, viability, abnormal sperm percentage, membrane integrity and total antioxidant capacity were also assessed after freezing-thawing process. Pearson correlation test was used to assess correlation of melatonin with routine sperm parameters (pH, viability, abnormal sperm percentage, membrane integrity and total antioxidant capacity of plasma). Data analysis was performed using SAS software. P

Keywords

• Sperm
• Motility
• Membrane Integrity
• Survival
• Total Antioxidant Capacity

20.1001.1.20083106.1397.10.2.1.6

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