The effect of kaempferol and naringenin may improve the in vitro quality of stored boar semen

Abstract

Determination of the effect of pure bioactive substances on male reproductive cells is a current theme amongst veterinary andrologists. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of various concentrations of kaempferol and naringenin on boar male gametes in different time periods (0, 24, 48 and 72h). The computer-assisted semen analysis was used to measure the sperm motility. Mitochondrial activity was determined by the mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT). The formation of the superoxide radical, as a marker of oxidative stress, was analysed by the nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) test. The results showed that every selected concentration of both substances came along with benefitial effect on the structure and function of spermatozoa. Particularly, naringenin at concentrations of 10-50 µmol/L and kaempferol at concentrations of 5-25 µmol/L may provide benefitial effects on spermatozoa, thus prolong the storage period and improve the quality of preserved boar spermatozoa.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• bioactive compounds
• kaempferol
• naringenin
• sperm
• spermatozoa
• oxidative stress
• reactive oxygen species
• mitochondrial activity