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The effects of semen extenders containing coconut (Cocos nucifera) water alone or combined with egg yolk on viability of spermatozoa during cryopreservation of semen obtained from West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks were studied. Coconut water (5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/100 ml) was diluted with pooled semen samples in study I, while in study II, the pooled semen samples were diluted with egg yolk and coconut water (EYCW) at 5:10, 10:10 and 10:5 in Tris-based extenders. The control consisted of Tris-based extenders plus sodium citrate. The diluted semen samples were cryopreserved for 30 days and evaluated for sperm viability parameters. Following cryopreservation, acrosome reaction and capacitation of spermatozoa were induced in vitro. The results showed that motility was higher (P < 0.05) in coconut water extenders compared to the control and improvement in this parameter was best at 10% coconut water. More spermatozoa cryopreserved with coconut water underwent induced acrosome reaction and capacitation compared to the control and 10% coconut water had the highest values (P < 0.05). The results showed that motility was better preserved in EYCW5:10 and EYCW10:10 extenders (P < 0.05). While more spermatozoa underwent induced acrosome reaction and capacitation with coconut water and egg yolk extenders at different combinations compared to the control (P < 0.05), the highest values of acrosome integrity and membrane integrity were observed in EYCW5: 10 extenders. The results revealed that 10% coconut water and EYCW5:10 gave better improvement of sperm viability parameters. The findings indicated that coconut water extender improved the quality of cryopreserved spermatozoa of WAD bucks.

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of adding fruit-juices to semen extenders on viability of buck spermatozoa during cryopreservation in two studies. Pooled semen samples obtained from West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks were diluted with Tris-egg yolk based extenders. In study I, the diluted semen samples were supplemented with orange (Citrus sinensis), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and pineapple (Ananas comosus) juices (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 ml/100 ml). In study II, the diluted semen samples were supplemented with 5 ml/100 ml of different combinations of fruitjuices consisting of pineapple and orange juices (TEYPO) at a 1:1 ratio, pineapple and cucumber juices (TEYPC) at a 1:1 ratio, orange and cucumber juices (TEYOC) at a 1:1 ratio, and pineapple, orange and cucumber juices (TEYPOC) at a 1:1:1 ratio, respectively. The diluted semen samples were cryopreserved and thereafter evaluated for sperm viability parameters. The extenders supplemented with 7.5 and 10% orange, and 10% pineapple had higher (P < 0.05) motility compared to the control. There was higher (P < 0.05) acrosome integrity in extenders supplemented with orange and pineapple at all levels compared to the control while cucumber at 10% had higher (P < 0.05) acrosome integrity compared to other levels and the control. The extenders supplemented with cucumber, orange and pineapple had higher (P < 0.05) membrane integrity compared to the control except at 7.5% of extender supplemented with cucumber. Similarly, the extenders supplemented with cucumber, orange and pineapple had lower (P < 0.05) sperm abnormality compared to the control. The extenders supplemented with cucumber, orange and pineapple at 2.5, 10 and 7.5% respectively had lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of MDA compared to other levels and the control. There was higher motility and acrosome integrity in extenders supplemented with different combinations of fruit-juices (P < 0.05) compared to the control. TEYPC had higher (P < 0.05) membrane integrity and lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of MDA compared to the control. The findings revealed that extenders supplemented with orange and pineapple at 10% consistently improved motility, acrosome integrity and membrane integrity, and reduced sperm abnormality compared to the control while no particular combination of these fruit-juices was consistently superior in all the parameters.

This study investigated the effects of apple and orange juices on quality of refrigerated spermatozoa of goat bucks. Semen samples from WAD goat bucks were diluted with Tris-egg yolk extenders each supplemented with apple and orange juices at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10/100 ml of diluents. The diluted semen samples were assessed for sperm viability and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration after in vitro storage for 240 hours at 5 o C. The ability to maintain sperm motility was higher in the extenders with 7.5% orange juice followed by 10% apple juice compared to other treatments (P<0.05). The extenders supplemented with 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% apple juice, and 5% orange juice had higher intact acrosome compared to other treatments and the control (P<0.05). The 10% orange juice had higher percentage membrane integrity compared to other treatments. Consistent and reduced (P<0.05) MDA levels were observed in the extenders supplemented with fruit juices and lower MDA was observed in the extenders supplemented with 10% apple juice compared to other treatments and the control (P<0.05). The findings reveal that additions of the fruit juices to semen extenders to maintain the viability of refrigerated spermatozoa were best at concentrations of 10 ml/100 ml of apple juice and 7.5 ml/100 ml of orange juice.