title: l-Cysteine improves antioxidant enzyme activity, post-thaw quality and fertility of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa.
abstract: The effects of l-cysteine in extender on antioxidant enzymes profile during cryopreservation, post-thaw quality parameters and in vivo fertility of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa were studied. Semen samples from 4 buffalo bulls were diluted in Tris-citric acid-based extender having different concentrations of l-cysteine (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mm) and frozen in 0.5-ml French straws. The antioxidative enzymes [catalase, super oxide dismutase and total glutathione (peroxidase and reductase)] were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at pre-freezing and post-thawing in extender containing 2.0 mm l-cysteine as compared to other groups. Post-thaw total motility (%), progressive motility (%), rapid velocity (%), average path velocity (μm s-1), straight line velocity (μm s-1), curvilinear velocity (μm s-1), beat cross frequency (Hz), viable spermatozoa with intact plasmalemma (%), acrosome and DNA integrity (%) were higher with the addition of 2.0 mm l-cysteine as compared to other groups (P < 0.05). The fertility rates (59 versus 43%) were higher (P < 0.05) in buffaloes inseminated with doses containing 2.0 mm of l-cysteine than in the control. In conclusion, the addition of 2.0 mm l-cysteine in extender improved the antioxidant enzymes profile, post-thaw quality and in vivo fertility of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. dramjadriaz@uvas.edu.pk.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.affiliation: Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S M H
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Andrabi
authors.affiliation: Buffalo Research Institute, District Kasur, Pattoki, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shahzad
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: A Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Durrani
authors.affiliation: Department of Theriogenology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000502:physiology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000662:veterinary; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003545:Cysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D005980:Glutathione Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000662:veterinary; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005980:Glutathione Reductase; D003545:Cysteine
keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; buffalo semen; fertility; l-cysteine