Influence of incorporating L-carnitine or Moringa oleifera leaves extract into semen diluent on cryosurvival and in vitro fertilization competence of buck sperm

Abstract

This study aimed at scrutinizing efficiency of incorporating L-carnitine or M. oleifera leaves extract into semen diluent on improving cryopreservation capacity and in vitro fertilization ability of buck spermatozoa. Ejaculates (n=48) were collected by an artificial vagina from six adult Damascus bucks twice weekly during the breeding season (September–October). Following initial evaluation, ejaculates of each collection session from the same bucks were pooled, diluted (1:10) with glycerolized (3 % glycerol, v/v) tris-citric acid egg yolk diluent and were split into three aliquots. The first aliquot served as control, whereas the second and third aliquots were supplemented with 4 μL/mL L-carnitine and 400 μL/mL moringa leaves extract (v/v), respectively. Thereafter, all specimens were processed for cryopreservation and were stored in liquid nitrogen (-196 °C) for 12 months before post-thaw sperm criteria were analyzed by a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Integrity of sperm DNA post thawing was visualized in all semen groups by fluorescence imaging, and in vitro fertilization ability of spermatozoa was also determined. Inclusion of L-carnitine or moringa leaves extract into the diluent improved (P<0.05) post-thaw sperm physical, morphofunctional and kinematic attributes, whilst maintaining (P<0.05) integrity of sperm DNA throughout the freezing and thawing cycle. Consequently, both supplemented groups yielded higher (P<0.05) in vitro fertilization rates compared to control. These results accentuate the protective roles of these antioxidants on buck sperm against consequences of cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress, hence ameliorating post-thaw sperm quality and fertilization competence. This is crucial for successful application of AI and IVF in goat selective breeding programs.