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Asian Journal of Andrology (2009) 11: 600-608. doi: 10.1038/aja.2009.40; published online 27 July 2009.
Effects of DHA-enriched hen egg yolk and L-cysteine supplementation on quality of cryopreserved boar semen
Panida Chanapiwat1, Kampon Kaeoket2 and Padet Tummaruk1
1 Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakorn-Pathom 73170, Thailand
Correspondence: Padet Tummaruk, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Fax: +662-2520738 E-mail: Padet.T@chula.ac.th
Received 8 January 2009; Revised 11 June 2009; Accepted 19 June 2009; Published online 27 July 2009.
| Abstract |
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched hen egg yolks and L-cysteine supplementation on the qualities of the cryopreserved boar semen. A total of 15 ejaculates from 5 Pietrain boars were divided into 4 groups according to the compositions of the freezing extenders used, that is, normal hen egg yolk (group I), DHA-enriched hen egg yolk (group II), normal hen egg yolk with 5 mmol L-1 of cysteine supplementation (group III) and DHA-enriched hen egg yolk with 5 mmol L-1 of cysteine supplementation (group IV). The semen was cryopreserved using controlled rate freezer and was thawed at 50°C for 12 s. Progressive motility, sperm viability, acrosome integrity and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane of the post-thawed semen were evaluated. The supplementation of L-cysteine in the freezing extender alone (group III) improved progressive motility (P < 0.05), and the supplementation of L-cysteine in combination with DHA-enriched hen egg yolk (group IV) improved both progressive motility (P < 0.05) and acrosome integrity (P < 0.01). The use of DHA-enriched hen egg yolk alone (group II) did not enhance any of the post-thawed semen qualities (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation of antioxidant L-cysteine alone or in combination with DHA-enriched hen egg yolk significantly improved the post-thawed semen qualities, especially progressive motility and acrosome integrity.
Keywords: boar, DHA, extender, frozen semen, L-cysteine |
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