Kisspeptin‐10 in cryodiluent improves the post‐thaw quality of Nili‐Ravi buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis ) bull spermatozoa

Abstract

Effects of kisspeptin‐10 as antioxidant in cryodiluent were evaluated on post‐thaw quality of buffalo spermatozoa. Qualified semen samples from five bulls were pooled, divided into five aliquots and extended in Tris‐citric acid cryodiluent containing differential doses of kisspeptin‐10 (5, 10, 15, and 20 μmol L−1 and negative control. Extended sperm suspension was cooled to 4°C, packaged in 0.54 ml straws and cryopreserved. At post‐thawing, catalase (unit mg−1), peroxidase (unit mg−1) and reduced glutathione (μmol L−1) levels were highest (p < 0.05) with 20 μmol L−1 of kisspeptin‐10 as compared to negative control. Moreover, lipid peroxidation (nmol L−1 min−1 mg protein−1) level was lowest (p < 0.05) with 20 μmol L−1 of kisspeptin‐10. Sperm progressive motility (%), rapid velocity (%) and kinematics were higher (p < 0.05) with 15 and 20 μmol L−1 of kisspeptin‐10 as compared to negative control. Supra‐vital plasma membrane integrity (%), viable sperm with intact acrosome (%) and DNA integrity (%) were improved (p < 0.05) with all doses of kisspeptin‐10 as compared to negative control. It was concluded that the addition of 15 and 20 μmol L−1 kisspeptin‐10 in cryodiluent ameliorated the overall frozen‐thawed quality parameters of Nili‐Ravi buffalo spermatozoa.