Effect of asiatic acid supplementation in tris-extender on post-thaw functional competence, antioxidant enzyme activity and in vivo fertility of bull sperm

M Jameel ¹, I S Sheikh ², N Kakar ³

⁰Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan.

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association +

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March 27, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Asiatic acid (AA) supplementation in bull semen extender improves cryopreserved sperm quality and fertility. Optimal concentrations of 40-60 μM AA enhance motility, integrity, and antioxidant activity, leading to higher in vivo fertility rates.

Area Of Science

Reproductive Biology
Cryobiology
Biochemistry

Background

Cryopreservation of bull semen can induce oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species.
Antioxidants in semen extenders can mitigate oxidative damage during cryopreservation.
Asiatic acid (AA) is a potential antioxidant for improving sperm cryopreservation.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the effects of Asiatic acid (AA) supplementation in semen extender on frozen-thawed bull sperm quality.
To evaluate the impact of AA on in vivo fertility of cryopreserved bull sperm.

Main Methods

Bull semen was cryopreserved using a Tris citric acid egg yolk-based extender with varying concentrations of AA (0, 20, 40, 60, 100 μM).
Sperm quality parameters including motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, viability, DNA integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed post-thaw.
Catalase activity in seminal plasma was measured.
In vivo fertility trials were conducted using supplemented semen.

Main Results

Supplementation with 40 and 60 μM AA significantly improved post-thaw sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, viability, and DNA integrity (p < 0.05).
A high mitochondrial membrane potential was observed with 60 μM AA (p < 0.05).
Catalase activity was maintained with 20, 40, and 60 μM AA (p < 0.05).
Significantly higher in vivo fertility was achieved with semen extended with 60 μM AA.

Conclusions

Asiatic acid supplementation in bull semen extender enhances cryopreserved sperm quality.
AA improves sperm motility, cell integrity, and preserves antioxidant enzyme activity.
Asiatic acid at 60 μM significantly improves in vivo fertility of bull sperm.

Keywords:

Holstein Friesian antioxidants asiatic acid computer-assisted sperm analysis sperm cryopreservation