Comparative blood and seminal plasma oxidant/antioxidant status of Arab stallions with different ages and their relation to semen quality

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the antioxidant/oxidant levels in blood serum and seminal plasma of Arab stallion with different ages and their relation to semen quality. MethodsHealthy Arabian stallions (n = 57), were divided into three groups. Young (5–10years), Moderate (11–16 years) and Old stallions (>16 years) were subjected to semen evaluation. Seminal plasma and blood samples were collected and stored at −20 °C for measuring glutathione reduced, nitric oxide, Malondialdehyde, ascorbic acid, copper and zinc. ResultsOld stallions had significantly greater (P < 0.05) ejaculate volume, % live sperm, and total sperm number compared to young and moderate aged groups. The moderate age horses had significantly the lowest (P < 0.05) sperm concentration. Compared to young horses, serum zinc concentrations of moderate and old horses were significantly high (P < 0.0 001), but NO concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) low. Seminal plasma zinc, ascorbic acid and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05 and 0.01) high in young stallion group. No significant correlations were observed between seminal zinc, copper, MDA and semen variables. Meanwhile, significant negative correlations were observed between seminal plasma ascorbic acid concentration and all semen variables except total sperm number and sperm abnormities %. Significant correlations were observed between reduced glutathione and both of sperm motility and % of live sperm. Nitric oxide concentrations correlated directly with individual sperm motility but adversely with total sperm number. ConclusionStallion age has significant effect on some semen variables, antioxidant/oxidant status of either blood serum or seminal plasma.