Improving rooster semen cryopreservation with telmisartan-enhanced extender

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Cryobiology

Background:

• Semen cryopreservation is vital for poultry genetic resource preservation and artificial insemination.
• Avian sperm quality often declines during cryopreservation due to detrimental freezing effects.
• Telmisartan, an antioxidant and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, was investigated for its potential protective effects on sperm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of Telmisartan incorporated into semen extenders on post-thaw rooster sperm quality.
• To determine the optimal concentration of Telmisartan for enhancing semen cryopreservation in broiler breeders.

Main Methods:

• Semen from broiler breeder roosters was diluted with extenders containing varying Telmisartan concentrations (0, 7.5, 15, 22.5, 30 µg/ml).
• Cryopreserved semen samples were assessed for motility, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, antioxidant capacity, and apoptosis.
• Sperm quality parameters including total motility (TM), progressive motility (PM), and velocities (VAP, VSL, VCL) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Telmisartan at 7.5 and 15 µg/ml significantly improved sperm motility and velocity parameters compared to the control.
• The 15 µg/ml Telmisartan concentration yielded the highest improvements in membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and reduced sperm apoptosis.
• Antioxidant markers showed increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), with decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) at 15 µg/ml.

Conclusions:

• Telmisartan at 15 µg/ml optimizes rooster semen cryopreservation by enhancing sperm motility, mitochondrial function, and antioxidant defenses.
• This concentration effectively reduces lipid peroxidation and apoptosis in cryopreserved rooster sperm.
• Telmisartan-supplemented extenders show promise for improving fertility rates in poultry breeding programs.