EFFECTS OF ADDITIN OF TAURINE AND MANGANESE IN EXTENDER ON POST THAW SEMEN QUALITY OF SAHIWAL BULLS

Abstract

Effect of two antioxidants (Taurine and Manganese) in extender on different sperm
parameters (sperm motility, live sperm percentage, membrane and acrosome integrity) of Sahiwal bulls
was evaluated. Semen was collected twice a week for 8 weeks from six adult, regular donor and
clinically healthy Sahiwal bulls. A total of 96 ejaculates were collected and pooled after initial
evaluation. The pooled semen samples were diluted at with tris-citric acid,fructose, egg yolk and
glycerol extender either containing different level of taurine (20.0, 40.0 and 60.0 mM), manganese
(100.0, 150.0 and 200.0 µM), or combinations of taurine and manganese (20.0 mM + 100.0 µM, 40.0
mM + 150.0 µM and 60 mM + 200 µM) at a temperature of 37oCand without antioxidants as control.
Semen samples were loaded in 0.5 mL French straws and cooled to 4°C. Samples were frozen and
stored in liquid nitrogen. These samples were thawed and anlayzed for different parameters. The postthaw sperm motility (%) was significantly (P<0.01) higher in treatment groups containing 20.0 mM of
taurine, 100.0 and 150.0 µM of manganese and 20.0 mM + 100.0 µM of taurine and manganese
respectively. Likewise, the live sperm percentage was higher (P<0.01) in 20.0 mM of taurine and100.0, 150.0 µM of manganese supplemented groups. The maximal sperm acrosome integrity of 20.0
mm was observed in taurine group. A higher proportion (P<0.01) of sperm with intact membrane was
observed in 20.0 mM of taurine and 150.0 µM in manganese containing groups. It was concluded that
addition of taurine and manganese in cryodiluents with a concentration of 20 mM and 150 µM
respectively could improve the post-thaw sperm quality in Sahiwal bulls.