Freezability of water buffalo bull (Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa is improved with the addition of curcumin (diferuoyl methane) in semen extender.

Abstract

Effects of curcumin as antioxidant in extender were evaluated on freezability of buffalo spermatozoa. Semen from each of the five bulls (n=3 replicates, six ejaculates/bull, a total of 30 ejaculates) was diluted in Tris-citric acid extender containing curcumin (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0mM) or control. At pre-freezing and post-thawing, total antioxidant contents (μM/L) and lipid peroxidation levels (μM/ml) were higher (p<.05) and lower (p<.05) respectively, with 1.5 and 2.0mM compared to 0.5 and 1.0mM curcumin and control. At post-thawing, progressive motility (PM, %) and rapid velocity (RV, %) were higher (p<.05) with 1.5mM compared to other doses of curcumin and control (except in case of RV, 1.5 was similar with 1.0mM). Kinematics (average path velocity, μm/s; straight-line velocity, μm/s; curved-line velocity, μm/s; straightness, %; linearity, %), in vitro longevity (%, PM and RV) and DNA integrity (%) at post-thawing were higher (p<.05) with 1.5mM compared to control. At post-thawing, supravital plasma membrane integrity (%) and viable spermatozoa with intact acrosome (%) were higher with 1.5 compared to 2.0mM curcumin and control. We concluded that freezability of water buffalo spermatozoa is improved with the addition of 1.5mM curcumin in extender.