Effect of Bilberry extract in semen extender on ram semen quality after freeze-thawing process

In order to improve the quality of ram semen after freezing-thawing process, different levels of ethanol extract of Bilberry plants were investigated. In this study five rams were used for semen collection twice a week by an artificial vagina. In order to eliminate the effects of the individual, the semen samples were pooled. Different levels of Bilberry extract (0, 100, 150, 200 μl/ml) were added to the Tris- Egg yolk based extender. Following cooling and freezing of semen samples, they were stored in liquid nitrogen until evaluation. After freezing-thawing, motility parameters were evaluated using the Computer-assisted sperm analysis system (CASA), the viability of sperms by Eosin-Nigrosin staining, membrane integrity using the hypo-osmotic swelling test, sperm abnormality by Hancock solution and lipid peroxidation by measuring malondialdehyde concentration. The results showed that the addition of 150 μl of Bilberry extract improved sperm parameters following freezing-thawing process compared to the control group (P