Effects of Carnosic and Gallic Acid on Ram Sperm Parameters and Seminal Plasma Homocysteine-Nesfatin Levels after Thawing

Abstract

In the presented study, the protective role of carnosic and gallic acid on post-thaw ram sperm acrosome and membrane integrity was examined, homocysteine (Hcy) and nesfatin levels were determined. In study semen samples from 6 Merino rams were used. Each ejaculate, split into five equal aliquots was diluted with extenders including 0.05 mM gallic acid (GA), 2 mM gallic acid, 0.05 mM carnosic acid (CA), 0.2 mM carnosic acid and no additive (control) at 37 °C cooled to 5 °C then frozen at nitrogen vapor. Freeze-thawed ram semen viability was achieved in gallic acid 2mM (57.13± 2.38%) group and statistical difference was found with control group (45.08±2.98%) (p<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the groups in HOS test analysis (p>0.05). The lowest level of homocysteine was obtained in the gallic acid groups (0.67±0.11 and 0.61±0.26 μmol/L) and was found statistically different with the control group (1.36±0.9 μmol/L) (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in nesfatin levels among groups (p>0.05). GA supplementation in ram semen extender has been determined to protect viability and HOS test parameters also to decrease homocysteine level.