Addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in cauda epididymal plasma-2 (CEP-2) extender to Ongole grade bull sperm motility and membrane integrity during the freezing process

Abstract

The semen freezing process causes a decrease in quality, especially sperm motility and membrane damage. Decreasing the semen quality during the freezing process can be prevented by adding semen diluents that fulfill the nutritional needs of sperm, such as CEP-2 and extracellular cryoprotectants, such as BSA. Cauda Epididymal Plasma-2 diluents have a composition like bull plasma cauda epididymis and have been shown to be able to maintain the quality of bull liquid semen at 5°C for eight days. The addition of BSA with different levels in the CEP-2 extender was expected to support the function of egg yolk in preventing damage to the sperm membrane due to cold shock during the freezing process. The purpose of this study was to determine the best BSA level to maintain sperm motility and membrane integrity during the freezing process. The research material was a three-year-old Ongole grade bull ejaculate which was collected once a week with an artificial vagina and individual motility of at least 70%. The research method was an experimental laboratory with BSA level 0; 0.2; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8 and 1%. The results showed that the highest sperm motility was 0.6% BSA level (42+2.58%) and the highest membrane integrity at the BSA level was 0.4% (84.30±2.56%). The study concluded that the addition of BSA in CEP-2 diluents increased the motility and membrane integrity during the freezing process, met the Indonesian National Standards. The research suggested the use of a BSA level of 0.6% in CEP-2 diluents for commercial frozen semen production.