title: Quality of bovine chilled or frozen-thawed semen after addition of omega-3 Fatty acids supplementation to extender.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted to evaluate the potential protective effects of omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (Ω-3 PUFAs) on bovine sperm quality in response to cooling and cryopreservation.
  
  
  METHODS
  : In this experimental study included ejaculates from five proven fertile bulls, allocated to the control and the four experimental groups. For group 1, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a solvent was added alone to the extender, while for groups 2, 3 and 4, different concentration of omega-3 PUFAs (1, 2.5 and 5%, respectively) in combination with PEG were added to the semen extender. Motility [using computer aided sperm analysis (CASA)], viability and morphology of bovine sperm were investigated after 24 and 48 hours in both cold liquid storage and frozen-thawed conditions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings showed that PEG has some detrimental effects on sperm quality. Cooling as well as cryopreservation decreased significantly most of measured variables of sperm as compared to fresh semen, whereas the treatments did not improve sperm quality. Furthermore, levels of some variables were decreased significantly during treatments (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Addition of Ω-3 PUFAs to semen extenders cannot be effectively introduced to conservation media as well as sperm membrane in order to protect spermatozoa in response to cooling and freezing. It can be suggested if Ω-3 PUFAs is supplemented to the diet of bulls in order to modify the fatty acid compositions of sperm, they might perform their preventive properties.
authors: Division of Physiology, Department of Basic Sciences, Veterinary Faculty, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran ; Embryonic and Stem Cell Biology and Biotechnology Research Group, Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Abbas
authors: A
authors: Abavisani
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Arshami
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Abbas Ali
authors: AA
authors: Naserian
authors: Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Ali
authors: MA
authors: Sheikholeslami Kandelousi
authors: Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Azizzadeh
keywords: Bovine; Chilling; Freezing; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Semen Analysis