Vitamin B7 protects DNA damage and stabilizes mitochondrial transmembrane potential from cryoinjury

Abstract

The proposed study was undertaken with the objective to enhance the life and fertility potential of cryopreserved goat sperm by fortification of various concentrations of biotin in sperm medium before freezing and to evaluate its effects on oxidative status, DNA integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Sixty ejaculates were collected from Barbari bucks and were extended with Tris- Citric acid- Fructose diluent and biotin in different concentrations were added in sperm preparation medium (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 µM). Sperm concentrations were adjusted to 1 × 108 mL−1 and diluted semen samples were equilibrated at 5 °C for 4 h before being cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The sperm motility, live sperm count, acrosome integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling positive spermatozoa, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC), DNA integrity and MMP were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in 3 µM biotin. The fortification of biotin reduced the detrimental effects of freezing-stress on motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity at all concentrations compared to control and optimal response was at 3 µM concentration. The kidding percentage through artificial insemination was significantly higher (35.00%) in supplemented group (3 µM) than in non-supplemented group (30.00%) on the basis of actual kidding rate. In conclusion, biotin may be used for routine goat semen freezing protocol to get better post- thaw quality and fertility.