Effect of antioxidant additives on freezability of buffalo spermatozoa

Abstract

The cryopreservation induced sperm damage in buffalo is one of the hurdles responsible for its poor freezability and fertility. Therefore, the Present study was planned to understand the role of antioxidant additives on freezability of buffalo spermatozoa. Twenty four ejaculates were collected having mass motility ≥ +3 from 4 Murrah bulls (6 from each bull). Each ejaculate was divided into four groups viz., Group 1 as Control containing Tris-egg yolk-glycerol extender, Group 2 containing Pentoxiphylline 3.6 mM, Group 3 containing Theophylline 10 mM, Group 4 containing Theobromine 10 mM, Group 5 containing N-propyl gallate 15 µM and finally diluted upto 80×10⁶ sperm/ml. Ejaculates were evaluated after freezing for seminal attribute viz., individual motility, live sperm, acrosomal integrity (AI) and hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). One way ANOVA was used to analyse the data. Significantly (P<0.05) higher sperm motility was observed in semen samples treated with pentoxiphylline in comparison to control, theophylline and theobromine and propyl gallate treated semen. At day 0, 7 and 30 days, semen treated with pentoxiphylline had significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage of viable spermatozoa as compared to theophylline and theobromine and propyl gallate treated semen. HOST and AI was significantly (P<0.05) higher in theophylline, theobromine and propyl gallate treated semen, however, among additive treated groups, HOST and AI were significantly (P<0.05) higher in pentoxiphylline treated semen. In conclusion among various antioxidant additives, pentoxyphylline addition 3.6 mM significantly improved semen quality of buffalo bulls.