Effect of pasteurized egg and Rosmarinus officinalis supplementation on quality of cryopreserved ram semen

Cryo Letters. 2013 Jul-Aug;34(4):422-31.

Abstract

The aim was to assess the in vitro effect of pasteurized egg (PE) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) on frozen-thawed ram semen. Ejaculates from three mature rams of the Rasa Aragonesa breed were cryopreserved using a 2-step dilution method (Fraction 1: F1; Fraction 2: F2). In Experiment 1, semen was frozen in egg yolk (EY) or PE extenders. After thawing, similar results were obtained in terms of total and progressive motility, viability, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and acrosome integrity after 2 h incubation. In Experiment 2, addition of rosemary to F1, F2 or both fractions to EY extenders was evaluated. Rosemary in F1 decreased progressive motility (p = 0.013) after 2 h incubation. Finally, PE can be used as a substitute for EY to reduce hygienic risks in extenders and is easier to standardize. Supplementation of EY extender with rosemary in F1 reduced progressive motility. Rosemary supplementation in F2 does not affect semen quality.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Cryopreservation / veterinary*
  • Cryoprotective Agents / metabolism
  • Egg Yolk / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism*
  • Rosmarinus* / metabolism
  • Semen / cytology*
  • Semen / drug effects
  • Semen Analysis
  • Semen Preservation / methods
  • Semen Preservation / veterinary*
  • Sheep / metabolism
  • Sperm Motility / drug effects

Substances

  • Cryoprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts