Does ergothioneine and thawing temperatures improve rooster semen post-thawed quality?

The present study focuses on the effect of different levels of ergothioneine and thawing temperature on rooster semen cryopreservation. Semen was diluted in Lake extender containing ergothioneine at 5, 10, 15, and 20 mu M and cryopreserved. Two thawing temperatures (37 degrees C for 30 s and 60 degrees C for 5 s) were consequently examined. Sperm motility parameter, membrane integrity, abnormal morphology, viability, apoptotic status, mitochondria activity, and lipid peroxidation were determined after freeze-thaw process. Ergothioneine levels of 5 and 10 mu M led to higher (P < 0.05) total motility (66.58 +/- 1.44 and 72.11 +/- 1.44, respectively) and average path velocity (VAP) (34.54 +/- 0.89, 37.28 +/- 0.89, respectively). Higher (P < 0.05) significant membrane integrity and mitochondria activity after freeze-thawing were observed in the groups supplemented with 10 mu M ergothioneine (68.62 +/- 1.24 and 69.12 +/- 1.26, respectively). Also, 5 and 10 mu M of ergothioneine led to the lowest significant percentage of apoptotic and dead sperm. The total motility and progressive motility resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) higher amount when sperm were thawed with 60 degrees C (60.58 +/- 0.91 and 24.76 +/- 0.53, respectively) compared to thawed sperm in 37 degrees C. The membrane integrity, viability and mitochondria activity led to significantly (P < 0.05) higher when sperm were thawed with 60 degrees C (58.2 +/- 0.78, 63.21 +/- 0.80 and 56.85 +/- 0.79, respectively). It could be concluded the addition of 5 and 10 mu M ergothioneine in the semen extender and thawing temperature at 60 degrees C in 5 s can be an efficient strategy to preserve rooster cryopreserved semen quality.

Automated summary

The study showed that supplementing the semen extender with 5 and 10 mu M of ergothioneine, and thawing the sperm at 60 degrees C for 5 seconds, can be an effective strategy to preserve the quality of cryopreserved rooster semen, as it resulted in better sperm motility, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial activity.