Effects of Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract Supplementation at Different Dilution Steps on Boar Sperm Cryopreservation and in vitro Fertilization

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of green tea extract (GTE) supplementation at different dilution steps on boar sperm freezing and in vitro fertilization. Sperm intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), motility, viability, acrosome integrity and morphology were determined. In addition, sperm IVF parameters (penetration and monospermy) and glutathione (GSH) levels of presumptive zygotes (PZs) were evaluated. Semen was diluted in lactose egg yolk (LEY) and cooled at 5℃ for 3 h (first dilution step) and then diluted in LEY with 9% glycerol and maintained at 5℃ for 30 min (second dilution step). Four experimental groups were compared: first and second dilution steps without GTE (control), first dilution step with GTE (Step 1), second dilution step with GTE (Step 2) and first and second dilution step with GTE (Step 1+2). The spermatozoa were frozen in nitrogen vapor. Higher sperm motility, viability and acrosome integrity after thawing were observed in Step 1, Step 2 and Step 1+2 groups compared with the control (P 〈 0.05). Lower H₂O₂ level was observed in Step 1+2 compared with control and Step 1 (P 〈 0.05). For IVF, matured oocytes were co-cultured with spermatozoa frozen according to the experimental groups. GSH levels of PZs were significantly higher in Step 2 and Step 1+2 than in control and Step 1 (P 〈0.05) without a significant difference in IVF parameters. In conclusion, supplementation with GTE in both first and second dilution steps during the freezing process resulted in better boar sperm cryopreservation and might be beneficial for further embryo development.