Effect of trehalose on post thaw semen quality profiles, sperm kinetic profiles and antioxidant and oxidative stress profiles in Mithun

Abstract

Present study was designed to assess the effect of trehalose on post thaw semen quality parameters (SQPs), sperm velocity and kinetic profiles, antioxidant and oxidative stress profiles and sperm cholesterol efflux in mithun. A total of 25 ejaculates were selected based on the biophysical parameters and each sample was split into four equal aliquots after dilution with the Tris-citrate-glycerol (TCG) extender such as Group I: control, Group II, III and IV: 50, 75 and 100 mM of trehalose, respectively. Cryopreserved and thawed samples were analysed for their motility parameters (progressive forward and in bovine cervical mucus penetration test [BCMPT]), kinetic and velocity parameters by computer assisted sperm analyser (CASA), viability, sperm morphological and nuclear abnormalities, acrosomal integrity, plasma membrane integrity and nuclear integrity and sperm intra-cellular enzymatic leakage and biochemical (sperm cholesterol, antioxidants and malondialdehyde) profiles. Study revealed a significant enhancement in viability, sperm morphological and nuclear normalities, acrosome integrity, motility, sperm cholesterol content and reduction in leakage of intracellular enzymes in Group II. Moreover, intactness of acrosome and biochemical membranes were protected significantly in addition to significant improvement in kinetic and velocity profiles in extender containing 50 mM trehalose. These results clearly indicated that however the cryopreservation of mithun’s spermatozoa in TCG was comparable with other species, inclusion of 50 mM trehalose holds a clear advantage over control or 75 or 100 mM trehalose. It can be concluded from the present study that trehalose supplementation in semen extender can be effectively utilized to reduce the oxidative stress and improve the antioxidant profiles with cascading beneficial effects on cryopreserved semen quality parameters in mithun.