The effects of different levels of Nano selenium on the quality of frozen-thawed sperm in ram

Abstract

The effects of Nano selenium as antioxidant was studied on ram semen. Samples were collected twice a week for 2 months from 4 rams. Extenders were supplemented with Nano selenium (1 and 2 µg/ml) and no antioxidants (control group). The frozen sperm samples were stored for 30 days. Sperm viability, total motility and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, abnormal sperms and the damage of acrosome membrane were measured on days 0, 15 and 30 of storage and level of Malondialdehyde on day 30. The results showed that 1 µg/ml Nano-Se significantly increased the percentage of viability, total and progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity (HOST) and decreased acrosome membrane damaged and abnormal sperms compared to 2 µg/ml Nano-Se and control groups (P < 0.01). Storage time of 30 days compared to 0 and 15 days decreased significantly viability, total and progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity (P < 0.01), and increased the percentage of sperms and acrosome membrane damage (P < 0.01). The amount of lipid peroxidation (nmol/ml) in Nano selenium 1 µg (0.508 ± 0.098) and 2 µg (0.878 ± 0.098) was less than the control group (1.17 ± 0.098, P < 0.01). It can be concluded that the addition of 1 µg/ml Nano-Se to extender improved the post-thawing quality and oxidative variables of ram semen during storage. Highlight Nano Selenium reduced MDA after freeze-thawing. Nano Selenium improved motility rate after freeze-thawing. Nano Selenium improved plasma membrane integrity after freeze-thawing.

Keywords

• antioxidant; oxidative stress
• nano selenium
• ram sperm