The effect of quercetin on fertility of frozen-thawed ram epididymal spermatozoa

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of quercetin as an antioxidant supplement on frozen-thawed ram epididymal sperm quality. Quercetin is a type of flavonoid antioxidant that is found in plants, with the ability to scavenge free radicals. Twenty testicles from mature rams were collected from a nearby slaughterhouse immediately after slaughter. Epididymal spermatozoa were recovered from the caudal of epididymides by injecting Bracket and Oliphant's (BO) medium retrogradely through the ductus deferens and extended with a tris egg-yolk-based extender and supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 50 µg/mL quercetin. Following equilibration, the straws were frozen, and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. After thawing, optimized concentrations of quercetin were defined based on their viabilities and used to assess fertilization and developmental potential. The results showed that the viability of frozen-thawed spermatozoa significantly increased by using 5 and 10 µg/mL quercetin in the freezing extender. However, total and progressive motility of frozen-thawed spermatozoa were not affected by 5 and 10 µg/mL quercetin in comparison with control (0 µg/mL). The mean number of zygote, morula, and blastocyst stage embryos increased significantly by using 5 and 10 µg/mL quercetin compared with other frozen-thawed treatments(P <0.05). However, the blastocyst rate of fresh sperm was significantly higher (P <0.05). In conclusion, to improve the quality of frozen-thawed ram epididymal spermatozoa, 5 and 10 µg/mL quercetin appears to be an attractive option. Further studies are suggested to understand the synergistic effect of quercetin with other antioxidants to improve the ram freezing-thawing process.

Quercetin and Naringenin Provide Functional and Antioxidant Protection to Stored Boar Semen

“…Our CASA analysis revealed that a concentration range of 5–10 μM QUE and 10–25 μM NAR ensured the best sperm motility preservation over a 3-day period of storage, which is the maximum time recommended for the BTS medium [ 3 ]. In the case of QUE, our observations are in agreement with previous reports on goat [ 15 ], human [ 29 ], and ram spermatozoa [ 16 ], suggesting that exposure of male gametes to particularly lower QUE concentrations may lead to a higher sperm motion behavior. Furthermore, pivotal experiments on cryopreserved boar spermatozoa [ 21 ] suggest that low QUE concentrations administered to the freezing and thawing medium improve sperm motility and subsequent fertilization potential.…”

“…Preliminary reports suggest that both flavonoids have the ability to protect the sperm plasma membrane and acrosome structures, mitochondrial function, and DNA stability in rabbit [ 13 ] and bovine [ 14 ] spermatozoa subjected to induced oxidative stress. Their potential to provide protection to the structure and function of cryopreserved goat [ 15 ], ram [ 16 ], bull [ 17 ], rooster [ 18 ] or stallion spermatozoa [ 19 ] subjected to cryopreservation has been indicated as well. Nevertheless, both biomolecules have received relatively little attention with respect to porcine semen.…”

Effect of Quercetin Supplementation in Extender on Sperm Kinematics, Extracellular Enzymes Release, and Oxidative Stress of Egyptian Buffalo Bulls Frozen–Thawed Semen

“…(3). Similar positive effects of quercetin were reported on the sperm viability in rams (47) and boars (24). On the opposite, high concentrations of quercetin (40 and 80 µM) were unfavorable to sperm viability and membranes integrities.…”

The effect of kaempferol and naringenin may improve the in vitro quality of stored boar semen

“…Moreover, they have potential to protect spermatozoa in cryopreservation and post-thaw processes (Silva et al, 2012;Ardeshirnia et al, 2017).…”