Enhancement impact of Moringa oleifera leaves extract–base extender on cryopreservation and fertilization of Barki ram sperms: comparative study with vitamin E and selenium combination

Abstract

This study evaluated the impacts of inclusion of Moringa Oleifera leaves extract (MOLE) in semen extender on rams cryopreserved semen quality and fertilization potential. Forty ejaculates were collected from eight fertile Barki rams, pooled and divided into five groups. The semen extender of the control group was without additives. The semen extender of the second and third groups was supplemented with MOLE at doses of 300 and 600 µg/mL, respectively. The semen extender of the fourth and fifth groups was supplemented with a combination of vitamin E and selenium at doses of 2.5 and 5 µg/mL, respectively. One hundred ten multiparous Barki ewes were artificially inseminated with the semen supplemented without or with MOLE or vitamin E and selenium combination. Inclusion of MOLE in semen extender significantly elevated the motility, viability index, membrane integrity and fertilization capacity of the post-thawed spermatozoa, as well as the activities of semen catalase, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. However, it significantly decreased acrosomal defects and DNA fragmentation of spermatozoa, the activities of semen alkaline and acid phosphatase and the concentration of malondialdehyde compared with the other groups. Similarly, vitamin E and selenium significantly improved the above-mentioned parameters compared to those of the control group. This study indicated that inclusion of MOLE to semen extender improved the quality and fertility of the post-thawed rams’ semen through enhancing the activities of the antioxidant enzyme system and decreasing the spermatozoa DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation. Highlights Moringa Oleifera leaves extract (MOLE) protected spermatozoa against cryopreservation induced oxidative stress. MOLE enhanced cryopreserved semen quality. MOLE enhanced post-thawed spermatozoa fertilization capacity.