Effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO addition to the sperm herbal extender on ram chilled sperm quality

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sperm quality preservation in sheep using mitochondria-targeted antioxidant Mito-TEMPO during chilling process. In this experiment, semen samples were collected from five Zandi rams and added to the extender containing 0, 0.5, 1, 5, 50 and 500 µM Mito-TEMPO and stored at 4 ˚C until 48 hours. Sperm quality was evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 hours after chilling and total motility, progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and lipid peroxidation were assessed. No difference was observed between treatments at time 0 of cooling. During 24 and 48 hours cooling periods, using 5 and 50 µM Mito-TEMPO increased total motility, progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and decreased lipid peroxidation in ram chilled sperm. In conclusion, using 5 and 50 µM Mito-TEMPO in chilling herbal extender could be a suitable method to conserve ram sperm quality during chilling process.