Aqueous extract OF Moringa oleifera Lam leaves added to freezing extenders damages goat sperm membranes.

Background: Semen cryopreservation is a biotechnology used frequently in animal production; however, there are some obstacles, such as those caused by high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moringa oleifera (MO) is known as a potent source of antioxidants and might be an important adjuvant.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different concentrations of MO extract supplementation on goat semen cryopreservation efficiency.

Materials and methods: Ejaculates (n=6) from four goat breeders were pooled and diluted in skimmed milk (SM) or Tris-egg yolk (TEY)-based extenders and supplemented with different concentrations of MO extract (0, 1, 2 and 5 mg/mL). After the freeze-thaw cycle, sperm kinetics and viability were assessed.

Results: With the SM extender, straightness, wobble and plasma membrane integrity were lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). With the TEY extender, wobble was lower in with 5 mg/mL MO extract than in the control group (P < 0.05). As regards sperm ultrastructure, evaluated by SEM, the MO extract, regardless of the diluent used, damaged the membrane of sperm cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion: The addition of aqueous extract of MO leaves in both diluents at all concentrations tested affects the parameters of sperm progressivity and damages the plasma membrane in a dose-dependent manner. DOI: 10.54680/fr23310110712.