Effect of Antioxidants Supplementation at Refrigeration Temperature on Sperm Motion Characteristics and Membrane Integrity of Sirohi Buck Semen

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of addition of various antioxidants at different levels, viz. glutathione reduced, glutathione oxidized, vitamin C and vitamin E to the extender on sperm viability, acrosomal integrity and hypo-osmotic swelling response during storage of semen at refrigeration temperature (40 C) till 96 hours of storage. Ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina and evaluated microscopically at 370C. The semen samples were diluted in a Tris based extender containing glutathione reduced (3,5,7 or 7mM), glutathione oxidized (3,5 or 7mM),vitamin C (3,5 or 7mM) or vitamin E (1.5,2.5,3.5 or 4.5mM) and Control. Analysis of data using ANOVA test revealed that sperm motility differed significantly (P < 0.05) at various levels of different antioxidants during 96 hours of preservation. The highest motility was observed in glutathione reduced (43.00±6.00 at 5mM concentration) and vitamin C (37.90±9.27 at 3mM concentration) than those of control, vitamin E and glutathione oxidized. It may be concluded that goat semen extended in diluents having 3mM vitamin C and 5mM glutathione reduced can help in holding the semen at refrigeration temperature.