Antioxidant effect of Cymbopogon citratus and Hypericum perforatum extracts in boar semen like a new alternative for conservation

Abstract

Because boar semen is highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation process, sperm capacitation and early acrosomal reaction is important the employment of antioxidant agents for seminal preservation, which is why in the present investigation the evaluation of natural extracts of Cymbopogon citratus and Hypericum perforatum is proposed as a new alternative to maintain the spermatozoa viability up to 70% for 72 h. For those reasons, three different concentrations (0.250, 0.125 and 0.0625 µl) of each extract and BTS were mixed with 5 ml of fresh boar semen. The extracts were characterized by DPPH*, total phenolics and HPLC for the determination of antioxidants activity and total sugars. Seminal motility was analyzed by optical microscopy and viability using a Seminal Quality System and the morphology by a specific staining kit. The results obtained of viability were compared with a short-term extender (BTS). For Cymbopogon citratus, 73% vs. 76% and, for Hypericum perforatum 73% vs. 85%, in a period of 3 days. By using these natural extracts, it was possible to maintain sperm viability above 70% for 72 h of storage.