Effect of Moringa oleifera on semen quality profiles in endangered Teressa goat under tropical humid island ecosystem

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on semen quality parameters in Teressa goat buck. Methods: A total of 25 semen samples from six bucks were selected for the study. Spermatozoa of 150× 106 were incubated in 0, 300, 500 and 700 μg of leaf extract as group I, II, III and IV, respectively. Liquid stored semen samples were analysed for motility, viability, total sperm abnormalities, plasma membrane, acrosomal and nuclear integrities, seminal plasma intracellular enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and spermatozoa malondialdehyde (MDA) and cholesterol efflux in comparison with the control group (group I) for up to 72 h. Results: Moringa oleifera leaf extract (500 μg/150× 106 spermatozoa)-treated semen had significantly higher motility, viability, plasma membrane, acrosomal and nuclear integrities, and TAC (P<0.05), and had significantly lower total sperm abnormalities, AST, ALT, LDH, MDA production and cholesterol efflux compared to those in other Moringa oleifera leaf extract treated (300 or 700 μg/150×106 spermatozoa) and control groups at different hours of liquid storage (P<0.05). Semen quality parameters and TAC showed an increasing trend and total sperm abnormalities, MDA production, leakage of intra-cellular enzymes and cholesterol efflux showed a decreasing trend from group I to group III and then an opposite trend from group II to group IV at different hours of liquid storage. Conclusions: Moringa oleifera leaf extract 500 μg/150×106 spermatozoa can be used for liquid semen preservation in Teressa goat at Andaman and Nicobar Islands.