Shielding Effect of Melatonin Improves Seminal Quality and Oxidative Stress Indices During Chilled Storage of Ram Semen

Abstract Supplementation of antioxidant to semen extender maintains seminal quality by reducing oxidative stress during preservation time period. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentration of melatonin supplementation on liquid storage of Magra ram semen. This study was performed on adult Magra ram (n=8) and seminal ejaculates (48) were collected and evaluated for various macroscopic and microscopic seminal quality parameters for further processing. After preliminary evaluation, ejaculates of each collection session were mixed and divided into four equal aliquots. All the aliquots were diluted (1:10) with Tris-citric fructose egg yolk extender contained sans melatonin served as control whereas the other three aliquots were supplemented with 0.5, 1 and 2 mM MLT were grouped as MLT0.5, MLT1 and MLT2, respectively. Thereafter, the samples were stored at 4ºC for 72 h and various seminal parameters (individual sperm progressive motility, viability, abnormalities, plasma membrane functionality) along with oxidative stress parameters (total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h of preservation. The results indicated that the mean percent values for progressive sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane functionality and TAC were significantly higher (p<0.05) in treated groups with the highest values in MLT1 group. Significantly lower (p<0.05) percentage of total sperm abnormalities and MDA level were observed in treatment groups compared to control group. The results report that supplementation of 1mM melatonin efficiently maintain the seminal quality and ameliorate oxidative stress during preservation up at 4ºC to 72h.