Effect of vitamin E and selenium nanoparticles on post-thaw variables and oxidative status of rooster semen

This study was conducted to determine the combined effects of adding vitamin E (VitE) and selenium nanoparticle (Nano-Se) as antioxidant supplements to rooster semen extender for freezing. Semen samples were collected from 12 White Leghorn roosters and pooled. Subsequently, the samples were divided into nine equal groups using modified Beltsville extender. Extenders were supplemented with either two amounts of VitE (5 and 10μg/mL) or two amounts of Nano-Se (1% and 2%) or a combination of both VitE and Nano-Se, and no antioxidants extender (control group). Using 5μg/mL VitE and 1% of Nano-Se improved (P<0.05) total sperm motility (79.28±3.86%), progressive sperm motility (18.03±1.02%), sperm viability (81.46±2.16%) and integrity of the sperm membrane (77.21±2.12%) after the freeze-thawing process compared with control group (54.08±3.86%, 10.96±1.02%, 60.53±2.16%, and 54.47±2.12%; respectively). Also, extenders supplemented with 5μg/mL Vit E or 5μg/mL VitE and 1% Nano-Se had a lesser malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration compared to control extender (1.15±0.32, and 1.29±0.32, respectively). Total abnormal morphology of sperm was decreased (P<0.05) by adding 5 or 10μg/mL VitE alone or in combined with 1% or 2% Nano-Se. Moreover, extenders containing Nano-Se demonstrated greater glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity compared to other extenders. Catalase (CAT) activity was greater in extender supplemented with 10μg/mL VitE and 2% Nano-Se. Moreover, higher TAC was observed in extenders supplemented with VitE and Nano-Se. It can be concluded that addition of 5μg/mL vitamin E in combined with 1% Nano-Se improved the post-thawing quality and oxidative variables of rooster semen.