The effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on bull spermatozoa frozen in two different extenders

Effects of different concentrations of BHT on microscopic and oxidative parameters of Mahabadi goat semen following the freeze–thaw process

“…However, further study is needed to identify the exact molecular mechanism by which high amount of antioxidant cause harmful effects. Cryopreservation medium containing 1 mM BHT reduced the production of MDA [9,46] and it is interesting that the highest progressive motility were detected at this level. However, the acrosome reaction was not affected by different concentrations of BHT which is in agreement with Sharafi et al that stated that the cryopreservation medium cannot effect the acrosome reaction of sperm [50].…”

The Roles of Antioxidants and Fatty Acids in Sperm Cryopreservation

“…Oxidants, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are produced physiologically in living cells during respiration as well as by abnormal or dead sperm and phagocytic cells of both the ejaculate and female reproductive tract, affect the quality of postthawed sperm in animals [7,8]. These ROS can inhibit sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction mediated by lipid peroxidation (LPO) of sperm membrane.…”

“…The decrease in the components of antioxidants due to dilution coupled with an increase in production of ROS during cryopreservation exacerbates the condition of spermatozoa and further degrades its postthaw quality and fertilizing ability. To minimize the effect of oxidants on a diluted semen, researchers have tested the impact of adding antioxidants into extenders in many species of animals including bull and have observed improvement in the quality of postthaw spermatozoa compared with controls based on conventional andrological tests [8,17].…”

“…Addition of natural antioxidants such as alphatocopherol and ascorbate has been reported to have protective effect on metabolic and cellular viability of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa [18,19]. More recently, butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), a synthetic analogue of vitamin E, has been tested for its antioxidant effect on bulls [8] and buffalo bull spermatozoa [17]. These studies investigated the impact of adding BHT into semen extenders on postthaw semen quality based on conventional andrological tests such as motility and viability.…”

“…Results of their study indicated improvement of semen quality following cryopreservation compared to untreated controls. A concentration range of BHT added between 0.5 and 1 mM for bull spermatozoa [8] and between 1 and 2 mM for buffalo sperm [17] was reported to be optimum for cryopreservation and better postthaw sperm quality. BHT is a synthetic analogue of vitamin E that controls the auto-oxidation reaction by converting peroxy radicals to hydroperoxides [17].…”