α-Linolenic acid supplementation in BioXcell® extender can improve the quality of post-cooling and frozen-thawed bovine sperm

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of supplementing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) into BioXcell (R) extender on post-cooling, post-thawed bovine spermatozoa and post thawed fatty acid composition. Twenty-four semen samples were collected from three bulls using an electro-ejaculator. Fresh semen samples were evaluated for general motility using computer assisted semen analyzer (CASA) whereas morphology and viability with eosin nigrosin stain. Semen samples extended into BioXcell (R) were divided into five groups to which 0, 3, 5, 10 and 15 ng/ml of ALA were added, respectively. The treated samples were incubated at 37 degrees C for 15 min for ALA uptake by sperm cells before being cooled for 2 hat 5 degrees C. After evaluation, the cooled samples were packed into 0.25 ml straws and frozen in liquid nitrogen for 24 h before thawing and evaluation for semen quality. Evaluation of cooled and frozen-thawed semen showed that the percentages of all the sperm parameters improved with 5 ng/ml ALA supplement. ALA was higher in all treated groups than control groups than control group. In conclusion, 5 ng/ml ALA supplemented into BioXcell (R) extender improved the cooled and frozen-thawed quality of bull spermatozoa. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.