Livestock Studies 2007, Vol 47, Num, 2     (Pages: 015-021)

Effect of antioxidants on the liquid storage of ram semen

Mustafa Numan BUCAK 1 ,Necmettin TEKİN 2 ,Recai KULAKSIZ 2

1 Tarım ve Köy İşleri Bakanlığı Lalahan Hayvancılık Merkez Araştırma Enstitüsü- Lalahan Ankara
2 Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dölerme ve Sun’i Tohumlama Anabilim Dalı-Ankara
- The aim of this study was to search for the effects of antioxidants taurine, GSH and trehalose on liquid storage of ram semen at +5ºC. Ejaculates obtained from three mature Akkaraman rams were used in this study. Ejaculates were collected using an artificial vagina twice a week during the reproductive season. After pooling, each pooled ejaculate was split into four equal aliquots and diluted with extender with taurine 50 mM, GSH 5 mM, trehalose 50 mM and no additives. Diluted semen samples was evaluated in point of spermatozoa motility, percent abnormal spermatozoa, HOS-test result and pH at +5ºC for 0, 24 and 30 hours of liquid storage. It was observed that antioxidants were not effective on motility during storage at +5ºC for 0. and 24. hours of storage. but trehalose provided the best protection (50.7±5.1%) for 30. hour. While taurin 50 mM ve trehaloz 50 mM gave the lowest rates (7.1±1.1% ve 7.8±0.7%) of abnormal spermatozoa at 0. hour (P<0.01), Statistical difference did not exist among the groups for 24 and 30. hours of storage. Trehalose 50 mM gave the highest results (60.0±1.2% ve 58.1±1.8%) at integrity of spermatozoon plasma menbrane at 24 and 30 hours (P<0.01). Semen pH value was lower in samples with glutathione than other groups during storage period (P<0.01). Consequently, it was observed that antioxidants added to extender provided the important contributions on spermatozoon survival at +5ºC for liquid storage of semen. Keywords : Antioxidants, ram semen, semen storage