Hoda Javaheri Barfourooshi - Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
Saeid Esmaeilkhanian - Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
Navid Dadashpour Davachi - Department of Research, Breeding and Production of Laboratory Animals, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
Nader Asadzadeh - Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
Reza Masoudi - Animal Science Research Institute of Iran (ASRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

Background: Although sperm cryopreservation seems to be an efficient technique for distributing competent sperm for artificial insemination, the process affects the quality of post-thawed sperm.Objectives: This study was designed to see how the novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant “Mito-TEMPO” affected buck sperm quality during cryopreservation. Methods: After proper semen samples collection, they were diluted and divided into ۵ equal groups and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen with ۰, ۱, ۱۰, ۱۰۰, and ۱۰۰۰ µM Mito-TEMPO. Sperm motility, lipid peroxidation, abnormal morphology, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity, and viability were all evaluated after thawing. Results: When the freezing extender was supplemented with ۱۰ µM Mito-TEMPO, total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and viability increased (P≤۰.۰۵), while lipid peroxidation decreased (P≤۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Finally, the novel mitochondria-targeted antioxidant “Mito-TEMPO” could be introduced as an effective cryo-additive to improve buck semen quality parameters during cryopreservation.

Buck, Cryopreservation, extender, Mito-TEMPO, Sperm