Protective Effect of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Extract on the Sperm Quality During Cool Storage of Ram Semen

Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, poses a significant threat to sperm quality during storage.

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of cinnamon extract, a natural antioxidant, on ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4°C.

Semen samples from 10 rams were collected, diluted and divided into five treatment groups. Each group received different concentrations of cinnamon extract (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 µL/mL) added to the diluted semen. Sperm quality was evaluated at storage intervals of 1, 24, 48 and 72 h, with all samples maintained at 4°C during the storage period.

This study demonstrated that cinnamon extract significantly enhances ram sperm quality during liquid storage at 4°C. Notably, the addition of cinnamon extract, particularly at a concentration of 100 µL/mL, resulted in substantial improvements in progressive motility, total motility, sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity over the storage period. Specifically, after 1 h, the 50 µL/mL group showed a significant increase in progressive motility. At 24 h, both total and progressive motility were significantly higher in the 50, 100 and 150 µL/mL groups. By 48 h, the 50 and 100 µL/mL groups demonstrated significant enhancements in all measured parameters. The optimal results were observed at 72 h, where the 100 µL/mL group exhibited the highest values across all sperm quality metrics. These findings underscore the effectiveness of cinnamon extract as a natural antioxidant for preserving sperm quality during storage.

Supplementation with cinnamon extract significantly enhances ram sperm quality, with an optimal concentration of 100 µL/mL effectively maintaining sperm viability during 72 h of liquid storage. These results suggest that cinnamon extract may serve as a valuable natural antioxidant for improving sperm preservation in liquid storage conditions.