Effect of adding astaxanthin and taurine to the Tris extender on the semen quality of Awassi rams during cooling storage

Abstract

This study was carried out at the animal farm\ Department of Animal Production\ Agricultural Engineering Sciences, College \ University of Baghdad, Iraq, during the period from 3\2 -28 \9\ 2019, to explore the effect of the adding astaxanthin and taurine to Tris extender on post-cooling semen characteristics of Awassi rams for different periods. In this experiment, used three mature Awassi rams. The semen was divided into nine experiments. Control group (without addition), T1 (1µМ astaxanthin), T2 (0.5 µМ astaxanthin), T3 (35 mM taurine), T4 (45 mM taurine), T5 (1µМ (astaxanthin and 35 mM taurine), T6 (1µМ astaxanthin and 45 mM taurine), T7 (0.5 µМ astaxanthin and 35 mM taurine) and T8 (0.5 µМ astaxanthin and 45 mM taurine), individual sperm motility, acrosome integrity, sperm abnormality and live sperm percentage were investigated following different periods. Using a combination of astaxanthin and taurine improved the individual sperm motility after dilution and after 72 hours. The addition of 45 µМ taurine has improved the percentage of acrosome integrity during different cooling periods. While the sperm abnormality was decreased after dilution and after 42 hours in group T6 and after 24, 48 in group T1. The results were showing that added astaxanthin and taurine separately or as a combination improve the live sperm percentage after dilution and after 24 hours. Through this study, we conclude the importance of adding astaxanthin and taurine in improving the qualities of diluted semen of Awassi rams.