Effect of Antioxidants on Cryopreserved Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) Spermatozoa Quality and DNA Damage

Abstract

The effects of several antioxidants added to cryopreservation extenders on turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) sperm post-thaw motility, fertilization, sperm characteristics, and DNA damage were investigated. The following antioxidants were used in conjunction with the conventional extenders: rosmarinic acid (RA) (25, 50, and 100 μg/ml); uric acid (UA) (25, 50, and 100 μg/ml); and taurine (TA) (25, 50, and 100 μg/ml). On sperm samples that had been diluted by the extenders at a 1:9 ratio, cryopreservation was carried out. The results demonstrated that the post-thaw motility of sperm was higher in 25 μg/ml RA (77.41±2.90%), followed by 50 μg/ml RA (74.86±3.2%), 50 and 100 μg/ml UA (69.56±3.30% and 70.74±2.51%, respectively) which significantly differentiated from conventional extender. The highest hatching rate (70.67±4.67%) was attained at UA 50 μg/ml, while the highest fertilization rate (81.67±2.52%) was observed in RA 25 μg/ml. At UA 50 μg/ml, the DNA fragmentation rate was lowest (5.07±1.57%). In conclusion, antioxidants had a protective impact on sperm of turbot that had been frozen and thawed.