Effect of Bioactive Compounds of Lemon, Onion and Garlic Extract on Buffalo Semen Quality, Antioxidant Status and Ultrastructure Changes

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare semen and fertility parameters of frozen-thawed buffalo semen extended in egg yolk based extender and the same extender supplemented with lemon, onion and garlic (LOG) extract as a natural antioxidant agents. The semen samples were re-suspended with basic diluents containing LOG extracts (10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 150; and 200 µl/ml). The control diluents comprised of only extender and lacked any antioxidant agent. Semen was collected from 10 mature buffalo bulls twice a week using artificial vagina. The supplementation of LOG at a concentration of 30 and 50 µl/ml significantly improved post-thawing motility and sperm viability. The status of acrosome and membrane integrity significantly improved in spermatozoa when supplemented with 30 and 50 µl/mlLOG extract. Also, 30 and 50 µl/ml LOG extract significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and increased total antioxidant activity (TAC). The highest rate of conception was observed in spermatozoa treated with 30 µl/ml LOG extract. The application of LOG extract resulted in improvement in the quality and fertility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Nevertheless, future studies are wanted to elucidate how the bioactive components in the LOG extract (especially in the low concentration) prevent cryo-damages in spermatozoa.