Effect of Nonenzymatic Antioxidants on Sperm Motility and Survival Relative to Free Radicals and Antioxidant Enzymes of Chilled-Stored Ram Semen

Abstract

The effect of inclusion of three antioxidants (Vitamin E, cysteine and glutathione) in ram semen extender on the release of antioxidant enzymes and free radicals was studied. A 3 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to test effects of supplementing ram semen extender with Vitamin E (1, 5 and 10 IU), cysteine (1, 5 and 10 mM) or glutathione (0.5, 1 and 2 mM) on the sperm survival and release of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Eighty ejaculates of eight fertile Najdi rams were collected, assessed for the gross examination and the good ejaculates (≥90% motility) were pooled and sperm count was assessed. Therefore ten extenders; control (C) and 9 treated (C plus antioxidant) were tested. Extended semen was stored at 5˚C for 96 h, examined for motility and survival and sperm cells were separated from plasma, sonicated, homogenized and exposed to the determinations of SOD, GPX and TBARS.