Crocin Improves the Quality of Cryopreserved Goat Semen in Different Breeds
Valentina Longobardi,
Gianluigi Zullo,
Alessio Cotticelli,
Angela Salzano,
Giuseppe Albero,
Luigi Navas,
Domenico Rufrano,
Salvatore Claps,
Gianluca Neglia
Affiliations
Valentina Longobardi
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, 80137 Naples, Italy
Gianluigi Zullo
Italian Buffalo Breeders Association, V. Petrarca 42/44, 81100 Caserta, Italy
Alessio Cotticelli
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, 80137 Naples, Italy
Angela Salzano
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, 80137 Naples, Italy
Giuseppe Albero
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, 80137 Naples, Italy
Luigi Navas
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, 80137 Naples, Italy
Domenico Rufrano
Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis-Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, S.S.7 Via Appia, 85051 Bella Muro, Italy
Salvatore Claps
Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy Analysis-Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, S.S.7 Via Appia, 85051 Bella Muro, Italy
Gianluca Neglia
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Federico II University, 80137 Naples, Italy
The effect of crocin in the semen extender before cryopreservation was evaluated on sperm parameters of 20 bucks of five different breeds: Garganica (GA), Jonica (JO), Maltese (MA), Mediterranean Red (MR) and Saanen (SA). Semen samples were centrifuged, to remove seminal plasma, divided in two aliquots and diluted with Tris-egg-yolk-based extender, containing 0 (control group) and 1 mM crocin. Crocin concentration was established after a preliminary dose trial. On fresh and frozen-thawed sperm, motility, viability, morphology, membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation and ROS levels were evaluated. The freezing process led to a decrease (p p p p < 0.01) in the crocin-treated sperm of all breeds, as compared to the control. In conclusion, supplementation of 1 mM crocin in the extender decreased oxidative stress, improving sperm motility and the DNA integrity of frozen-thawed sperm in different breeds.
