Effects of different L-carnitine concentrations on post-thaw ram semen characteristics and fertilizing potential

IF 2.5 2区农林科学 Q3 REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Theriogenology Pub Date : 2025-09-10 DOI:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117671

R. Masoudi , N. Asadzadeh , N.D. Davachi , R. Nateghi , H.J. Barfourooshi , P.M. Bartlewski

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Abstract

The main goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different L-carnitine concentrations on post-thaw ram semen characteristics and fertilizing potential. Five sexually mature Zandi rams (3–4 years of age), with confirmed fertility, were used in the six replicates of this experiment in the breeding season. Semen samples (n = 30, 6 samples per ram) were collected using an artificial vagina twice a week. Following the collection and initial assessment of ejaculates, all semen samples were pooled to eliminate individual variations. Plant-based freezing extender containing soybean lecithin was supplemented with varying concentrations of L-carnitine (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mM), and semen was diluted to a final concentration of 100 × 10⁶ spermatozoa/0.25-mL straw before freezing in liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial function, acrosome integrity, apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and fertilizing potential in vivo were assessed. Ram semen cryopreserved in a freezing extender supplemented with 5 mM of L-carnitine exhibited the highest (P ≤ 0.05) average path velocity and percentages of sperm with total/progressive motility, as well as the highest (P ≤ 0.05) proportion of sperm with intact mitochondria, plasma membranes, and acrosomes. This dose of L-carnitine was also associated with the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) levels of apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, and lipid peroxidation as well as with the highest (P ≤ 0.05) pregnancy and lambing rates in artificially inseminated ewes. Therefore, supplementing the semen extender with 5 mM of L-carnitine is an effective method for preserving the quality and fertilizing potential of frozen-thawed ram semen.

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不同左旋肉碱浓度对解冻后公羊精液特性及受精潜力的影响

本研究的主要目的是评价不同浓度左旋肉碱对解冻后公羊精液特性和受精潜力的影响。在繁殖季节，选用5只性成熟、生殖力确定的赞地公羊（3 ~ 4岁）进行6次重复试验。每周两次使用人工阴道采集精液样本（n = 30，每公羊6份）。在收集和初步评估射精后，将所有精液样本汇总以消除个体差异。添加不同浓度的左旋肉碱（0、1、2、5和10 mM），将精液稀释至终浓度为100 × 106个精子/0.25 ml吸管，然后在液氮中冷冻。评估精子活力、活力、线粒体功能、顶体完整性、细胞凋亡、DNA断裂、活性氧积累和体内受精潜力。在添加5 mM左旋肉碱的冷冻液中，公羊精液的平均路径速度最高（P≤0.05），总运动/前进运动的精子比例最高（P≤0.05），线粒体、质膜和顶体完好的精子比例最高（P≤0.05）。该剂量下，人工授精母羊的细胞凋亡、DNA断裂、活性氧积累和脂质过氧化水平最低（P≤0.05），妊娠率和产羔率最高（P≤0.05）。因此，在精液填充剂中添加5 mM的左旋肉碱是保持冻融公羊精液质量和受精潜力的有效方法。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Theriogenology 农林科学-生殖生物学

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

14.30%

发文量

387

审稿时长

72 days

期刊介绍： Theriogenology provides an international forum for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in animal reproductive biology. This acclaimed journal publishes articles on a wide range of topics in reproductive and developmental biology, of domestic mammal, avian, and aquatic species as well as wild species which are the object of veterinary care in research or conservation programs.