Effect of Adding Coenzyme Q10 and Ellagic Acid during Cryopreservation on Post-Thaw Quality of Ram Semen

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of co-Q10 and ellagic acid on sperm parameters after the freeze–thawing of Ghezel ram sperm. Twenty ejaculates from five Ghezel rams were collected in this study. Semen samples, which were diluted with a soybean lecithin (SL) based extender containing 0.25 m<em>M</em> ellagic acid, 0.5 μ<em>M</em> co-Q10, 0.25 m<em>M</em> ellagic acid + 0.5 μ<em>M</em> co-Q10 and no antioxidant (control), were cooled to 4˚C, frozen in 0.25 mL French straws and stored in liquid nitrogen. Sperm motility characteristics, membrane integrity, abnormal morphology, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activities (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity) were evaluated following freeze-thawing. The results showed that 0.5 μ<em>M</em> Co-Q10, improved viability, total motility parameters and decreased abnormal sperm and improved linearity (LIN), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL) and path velocity (VAP) parameters (P<0.05). Ellagic acid and the treatment with a combination (0.25 m<em>M </em>ellagic acid+0.5 μ<em>M</em> co-Q10) improved viability and total motility parameters (P<0.05). The additives did not affect the maintenance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), when compared to the control. It can be concluded that addition of 0.5 μ<em>M</em> co-Q10 improved the post-thawing quality of ram semen.