Graphene oxide enhances post-thaw sperm quality in tropically-adapted rams

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Cryopreservation of semen is crucial for livestock breeding.
• Maintaining sperm quality after thawing remains a challenge.
• Graphene oxide (GO) is a novel nanomaterial with potential biological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on the quality of frozen-thawed ram semen.
• To determine optimal GO concentrations for semen cryopreservation.

Main Methods:

• Ram semen ejaculates were cryopreserved using extenders with varying GO concentrations (0, 5, 50, 100 µg/mL).
• Post-thaw sperm parameters including motility, viability, morphology, and DNA integrity were assessed.
• Statistical analysis was performed using Tukey's or Dunn's t test (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

• GO at 5 and 50 µg/mL significantly increased total and progressive sperm motility and viability compared to the control.
• GO treatments (5 and 100 µg/mL) enhanced sperm DNA integrity.
• No significant effects of GO were observed on sperm morphology or VCL/VAP, although local motility increased at 100 µg/mL.

Conclusions:

• Graphene oxide supplementation, particularly at 5 and 50 µg/mL, improves key quality parameters of frozen-thawed ram semen.
• GO demonstrates potential as a beneficial additive in semen extenders for enhancing cryopreservation outcomes.
• Further research may explore the mechanisms behind GO's protective effects on sperm quality.