Abstract

The present study aimed to compare semen and fertility parameters of frozen-thawed buffalo semen extended in egg yolk based extender and the same extender supplemented with lemon, onion and garlic (LOG) extract as a natural antioxidant agents. The semen samples were re-suspended with basic diluents containing LOG extracts (10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 150; and 200 µl/ml). The control diluents comprised of only extender and lacked any antioxidant agent. Semen was collected from 10 mature buffalo bulls twice a week using artificial vagina. The supplementation of LOG at a concentration of 30 and 50 µl/ml significantly improved post-thawing motility and sperm viability. The status of acrosome and membrane integrity significantly improved in spermatozoa when supplemented with 30 and 50 µl/mlLOG extract. Also, 30 and 50 µl/ml LOG extract significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increased total antioxidant activity (TAC). The highest rate of conception was observed in spermatozoa treated with 30 µl/ml LOG extract. The application of LOG extract resulted in improvement in the quality and fertility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Nevertheless, future studies are wanted to elucidate how the bioactive components in the LOG extract (especially in the low concentration) prevent cryo-damages in spermatozoa.

Key words: Lemon, onion and garlic extract; antioxidant; cryopreservation; ultrastructure; conception rate