Soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa.
Egg yolk is routinely used as a cryoprotectant in semen extenders. However, it may contain cryoprotective antagonists, and there are hygienic risks associated with its use. Proteins of plant origin, like soya-lecithin, lack these hazards. The aim of this study was to use soya-lecithin as a cryoprotectant in extender and to investigate its effects on in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. Semen from three buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing 5.0%, 10% or 15% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were assessed post-dilution, pre-freezing and post-thaw. In Post-dilution and pre-freezing, the values for motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability remained higher (p ≤ 0.05) in extenders containing 10% soya-lecithin and control compared with extender containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. However, motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher (p < 0.05) in extender containing 10% soya-lecithin compared with control and extenders containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. Semen from two buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing either 10% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Higher (p < 0.05) fertility rate was recorded in buffaloes inseminated with semen containing 10% soya-lecithin (56%) compared with 20% egg yolk (41.5%). The results suggest that 10% soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa and can be used as an alternate to egg yolk in cryopreservation of buffalo semen.
Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan. sashraf1993@gmail.com
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Akhter
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Ansari
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Andrabi
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Rakha
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Ullah
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Khalid
D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004530:Egg Yolk; D005298:Fertility; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D054709:Lecithins; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013025:Glycine max; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D054709:Lecithins