Comparison Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant in Sperm Quality of Garut Ram Chilled Semen to Enhance Rural Livestock Commodity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of enzymatic (EZ) and non-enzymatic (NEZ) antioxidants on the quality of spermatozoa in chilled, stored liquid semen from Garut rams. The rams were randomly divided into seven treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial design. The two factors were the antioxidant levels of EZ (25, 50, and 75 mg) and NEZ (5, 10, and 20 mg). Motility, viability, and plasma membrane integrity were the metrics used in this analysis. The experiment conducted with the additional NEZ on the 4 th day of observation showed that the addition of ascorbic acid as NEZ at a dose of 20 mg/100 ml into the egg yolk tris extender resulted in the greatest preservation of ram sperm quality (P<0.05), such as motility and viability. Hence, the addition of catalase as EZ at a dose of 50 mg/100 ml to the egg yolk tris extender resulted in the highest (P<0.05) percentage of motility, percentage of live spermatozoa, and intact plasma membrane. The NEZ group showed better results (P<0.05) than the NEZ group in maintaining motility, viability, and membrane integrity. The research concluded that the administration of NEZ at a dose of 20 mg/100 ml extender and EZ treatment at 50 mg/100 ml extender represents the optimal dose to preserve sperm quality until day four of dilution. In addition, the NEZ antioxidant showed better-improved quality of spermatozoa in the liquid semen of Garut rams compared to the EZ antioxidant.