Effect of Aqueous and Methanolic Green Tea Extracts on Motility, Normal Forms, And Kinetic Parameters of Spermatozoa in Rahmani Ram Semen Equilibrated at 5 °C for 4 Hours

Abstract

Green tea extract is plant–derived natural antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the supplementing semen extender (Tris-citric-soybean lecithin) with different levels of aqueous (AGTE) or methanolic (MGTE) green tea extract (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%) on the motility, livability, normality, plasma membrane integrity, and kinetic parameters of ram spermatozoa in diluted and equilibrated semen. Semen was collected from 5 rams once a week for 7 weeks using an artificial vagina. Results showed positive effect of extender containing 1% MGTE on visual motility, livability, abnormality, membrane integrity, rapid motility, sperm velocity, and normal form in post-equilibrated semen. It is possible to infer that the inclusion of methanolic green tea extract at a level of 1% in semen extender had a substantial effect on sperm quality, normality, function, and velocity of ram spermatozoa in Rahmani semen after dilution and equilibration for 4 h at 5 o C.