Effect of L-carnitine and pyruvate on equine sperm maintained at 5 ºC and 15 ºC during 24 h: preliminary results

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate if the addition of L-carnitine and pyruvate to two semen transport extenders (Kenney and Kenney modified by Tyrodes) is able to maintain sperm parameters for 24 h at 5 ºC and 15 ºC. Semen was obtained from 3 stallions (n=3; r=2) and at time 0 and after 24 h of cooling, the following parameters evaluated: total and progressive motility (CASA), viability and acrosome status (FITC-PNA-PI), membrane function (HOS), and DNA with Toluidine Blue stain (TB) and the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion assay (SCD). Each temperature was individually analyzed using a factorial design with a 5% significance level. No interactions were observed. For the moment, the Kenney extender with the addition of L-carnitine and pyruvate showed the best results for maintaining most sperm parameters for 24 h at both 5 ºC and 15 ºC.

Keywords

• Equine
• sperm
• refrigeration
• L-carnitine
• pyruvate