Cryopreservation of ram semen: baicalein efficiency on oxidative stress, chromatin integrity, viability and motility post thaw.

Abstract

Baicalein (B) has potential antioxidant properties, but it has not been tested as a ram semen extender. This study aimed to assess the impact of B on various sperm parameters and determine its potential influence on semen quality after the freeze-thawing process. During the breeding season, ejaculates were obtained from four rams with the aid of an artificial vagina. The collected mixed semen samples were divided into four groups: control (C; 0), B0.5 (0.5&#x2009;mM), B1 (1&#x2009;mM), and B2 (2&#x2009;mM). After semen extension, the samples were loaded into 0.25&#x2009;mL straws and stored for 2&#x2009;h at 4&#xb0;C prior to freezing in liquid nitrogen vapor and thawed in a water bath at 37&#xb0;C. Among the groups, B0.5 demonstrated the highest progressive motility results, while B1 and B2 exhibited reduced motility (&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). In terms of high mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, and viability, B0.5 showed significantly superior outcomes to the other B groups (&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05), although it was not significantly better than C. B1 displayed the highest plasma membrane integrity levels (&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Notably, B2 displayed the lowest total antioxidant status levels among the groups (&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). The findings of this study suggested that thespermatological characteristics of ram spermatozoa such as progressive motility and chromatin integrity can be protected from the freeze-thawing process by using the 0.5&#x2009;mM dose of baicalein as a semen extender. The treatment of sperm freezing might benefit from further in-depth research on the role of B in the improvement of cryoinjury and its underlying processes.