Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acids on Sperm Membrane Integrity during Liquid Storage of Boar Semen

Abstract

Preliminary studies have shown that sperm membrane from swine shows high sensitivity to cryopreservation process, causing a dramatic reduction in sperm quality. This has been attributed to the production of reactive oxygen species that cause lipid peroxidation in sperm membranes. The aim of the present study was to minimize the oxidative attack by adding different concentration of alpha-lipoic acid into the sperm liquid storage at 17ºC for 7 days. Freshly ejaculated boar semen was diluted with Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) and supplemented with 5 levels of alpha-lipoic acid (0.015, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15 mmol/ml). The membrane integrity was evaluated at days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 of liquid preservation, using flow cytometer FACSCanto II (BD Biociencias) systems. The experiment indicate that supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid to the semen liquid storage extender improve sperm membrane.

Keywords

• alpha-lipoicacid
• liquid storage semen
• membrane integrity
• flow cytometer