Effect of Astaxanthin Supplementation on Semen (Karan Fries Bulls) Storage at 5 °C

Abstract

Astaxanthin (AX) is the major colourful pigments of seafood, i.e. salmon, trout, red sea bream, shrimp, lobster etc. Several studies revealed the beneficial health effect of AX as photoprotectants, eye health, antiinflammatory, improvement of immunity and other important application in nutraceuticals, cosmetics, food and feed industries (Yuan et al., 2011; Ciapara et al., 2006; Guerin et al., 2003). Due to its various health beneficial properties, commercially natural AX is cultivated from Haematococcus Pluvialis (richest source), which can accumulate higher amount of astaxanthin under stressful conditions (Wayama et al., 2013). AX is more powerful antioxidant than beta-carotene and lutein (O‟Connor and O‟Brien, 1998) enhancing antibody production (Jyonouchi et al., 1994) as well as boosts mitochondrial activity (Wolf et al., 2010). The supplementation of AX @ 2 and 4 μM shown to increase sperm vitality and plasma International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 5 (2017) pp. 23-28 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com