Preliminary results on the antioxidant capacity of the Coffea arabica grounds extract on semen parameters of Fleckvieh cattle in the Amazonas region

Abstract

Livestock farming is vital to a country's economy, and technological innovations in animal genetics and reproductive biotechnologies are key for environmental and socioeconomic development. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Coffea arabica grounds (CAG) extract on the semen parameters of Fleckvieh cattle. CAG was processed, and its antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, and total phenols assays. Semen was collected from a pedigree bull and analysed macroscopically and microscopically. Different concentrations of CAG (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/ml) were tested at 4, 12, 24, and 36 h post-refrigeration. The study used a completely randomised design with ten replications, and variables such as motility, kinetic parameters, membrane functionality, and acrosomal integrity were analysed. The normal distribution of the variables - motility, kinetic parameters, membrane functionality, and acrosomal integrity - was analysed using the Shapiro-Wilk statistical test (P > 0.05). An analysis of variance was then performed with a significance level of P < 0.05 to compare the means, using InfoStat software. Results showed that 1 mg of CAG significantly improved total motility and progressive motility at 4 h, along with kinetic parameters and membrane integrity. Overall, CAG exhibits antioxidant properties that enhance sperm characteristics, particularly at 1 mg/ml concentration after 4 h of refrigeration. However, further studies are needed to understand better the mechanisms of action and the overall efficacy of CAG as an antioxidant agent in this specific context.

Keywords

• acrosomal integrity
• bovine
• kinetic parameters
• membrane functionality