Tribulus terrestris aqueous extract supplementation effects on sperm characteristics and anti-oxidant status during chilled storage of canine semen

The reduction of spermatozoa survival time is a major problem of canine chilled sperm for artificial insemination. The current study looks at the possible advantages of chilling canine sperm to ۴.۰۰ ˚C for three days using Tribulus terrestris aqueous extract (TTAE). Three mixed-breed dogs were utilized to extract ۲۴ ejaculates, which were then diluted in a Tris-based extender. The ejaculates were then divided into five groups including ۲۰.۰۰, ۴۰.۰۰ and ۵۰.۰۰ µg mL-۱ of TTAE, sham (distilled water devoid of TTAE) and control (without TTAE) groups. During the three days of experiment, several parameters were measured every ۲۴ hr. It was noticed that after ۴۸ and ۷۲ hr of liquid storage, total and progressive motilities were greater in the group with the ۴۰.۰۰ µg mL-۱ TTAE concentration than the control group. Compared to the control group, the group with the ۴۰.۰۰ µg mL-۱ TTAE concentration exhibited superior motility and viability. The percentages obtained from the hypo-osmotic swelling test were much greater. In contrast to the control group, DNA integrity was poorer in the ۴۰.۰۰ µg mL-۱ TTAE concentration. After ۷۲ hr of storage, the group with ۴۰.۰۰ µg mL-۱ TTAE concentration had lower malondialdehyde levels but considerably greater total anti-oxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels than the control groups. The current study found that supplementing the semen extender with ۴۰.۰۰ µg mL-۱ TTAE improves semen parameters after ۷۲ hr of storage at ۴.۰۰ ˚C, and therefore can improve fertilization efficiency.

Keywords:

Anti-oxidant , Canine semen , Liquid storage , Tribulus terrestris aqueous extract