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Effects of L-Carnitine on Equine Semen Quality During Liquid Storage

2020; Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.; Volume: 18; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1089/bio.2020.0025

1947-5535

I.H.A.V. Nery, Robespierre Augusto Joaquim Araújo Silva, H. M. de Souza, Lúcia Cristina Pereira Arruda, Millena Maria Monteiro, Desirée C.M. Seal, Girliane R. Silva, Tânia Maria Sarmento Silva, Gustavo Ferrer Carneiro, André Mariano Batista, Diogo Ribeiro Câmara, Maria Madalena Pessoa Guerra,

Testicular diseases and treatments

l-Carnitine (LC) plays a key role in sperm metabolism, easily providing energy through β-oxidation, which positively affects motility. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between blood plasma and seminal plasma LC levels, as well as the effect of LC as an additive in a skimmed milk-based extender during sperm storage at 5°C. In the first experiment, semen and blood samples from 14 Quarter Horse stallions were used. The LC content in blood plasma and seminal plasma was determined by spectrophotometry and their relationships with seminal parameters were evaluated. In the second experiment, ejaculates (n = 16) from four Quarter Horses were used. Each ejaculate was split into four treatment groups with different LC concentrations: 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM. Sperm motility, integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes, intracellular reactive oxygen species content, and plasma membrane stability were evaluated immediately after samples reached 5°C (0 hour) and after 24, 48, and 72 hours. There was a positive correlation (p < 0.05) between LC levels in seminal plasma with both sperm concentration and plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity. Furthermore, the addition of LC (1 and 2 mM) preserved the motility of equine sperm stored at 5°C. It was concluded that the concentrations of LC with seminal plasma present correlate to semen parameters and the addition of LC to skimmed milk-based extender preserves the motility of equine sperm stored at 5°C for up to 48 hours.