Effect of argan oil on liquid storage of ram semen in Tris or skim milk based extenders

Abstract

Due to its high antioxidant content, the argan oil could play a beneficial role in liquid storage of ram semen. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of different concentration of argan oil (ARO) on spermatologic parameters, lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation during liquid storage of ram semen until 48h. Also effects of extenders and temperature on same parameters were assessed. For these aims, semen samples were collected from Boujaâd rams, extended with Tris egg yolk or skim milk extenders without (control) or supplemented with different concentrations of ARO (1%, 2%, 5% and 10% v/v) at a final concentration of 0.8×109 sperm/mL and stored until 48h at 5°C or 15°C. The sperm quality assessments were performed at different intervals during storage (0, 8, 24 and 48h). Sperm progressive motility started to decrease after 8h of storage in all temperatures – extenders combinations and dropped steadily during the 8–48h interval. However, sperm viability, progressive motility and membrane integrity were markedly higher in ARO groups (especially in 1% in Tris and 5% in skim milk) until 24h and 48h storage at both temperatures compared to controls. The argan oil also decreased the level of spontaneous and induced malondialdehyde (MDA) and the sperm DNA fragmentation until 48h storage. In conclusion, it was determined that addition of argan oil to conventional extenders may improve the quality of ram semen during liquid storage in different temperatures.