Resveratrol Improves the Frozen-Thawed Ram Sperm Quality

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Cryobiology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Cryopreservation of semen induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, impairing sperm quality and fertility.
• Oxidative stress is a major factor contributing to sperm damage during cryopreservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of resveratrol in improving ram sperm quality post-cryopreservation.
• To determine the optimal concentration of resveratrol for cryopreserved ram sperm.

Main Methods:

• Ram semen was cryopreserved in media supplemented with varying resveratrol concentrations (0–100 μM).
• Post-thaw sperm parameters including motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial potential, antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH, GPx, SOD, CAT), ROS, lipid peroxidation (MDA), SIRT1, AMPK phosphorylation, and DNA damage were assessed.

Main Results:

• Resveratrol up to 75 μM improved sperm motility and overall quality.
• 50 μM resveratrol significantly enhanced acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial potential, ATP content, SIRT1, and AMPK phosphorylation (p < 0.05).
• This concentration also significantly reduced sperm DNA oxidative damage (p < 0.05), while 100 μM showed detrimental effects.

Conclusions:

• Supplementation with 50 μM resveratrol is optimal for preserving ram sperm quality during cryopreservation.
• Resveratrol effectively mitigates cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress and enhances sperm viability and function.