MELATONIN AS AN ADDITIVE TO SHIELD THE HAZARDOUS EFFECTS OF CRYOPRESERVATION ON KANKREJ BULL SEMEN

Abstract

Melatonin was supplemented at 1, 2 and 3 mM in Tris-Fructose Egg Yolk Citrate Glycerol (TFYG) extender to assess the impact on various seminal and acrosomal characteristics of 24 ejaculates collected from Kankrej bulls (n=3). In brief, melatonin supplementation at 2 mM increased (p<0.05) percent sperm motility, sperm viability, HOST reactive spermatozoa, live sperm with intact acrosome and acrosomal integrity. In addition, 2 mM melatonin supplementation reduced (p<0.05) percent dead spermatozoa, dead sperm with damaged acrosome, dead sperm with intact acrosome and abnormal spermatozoa at post-dilution, post-equilibration and post-thaw stages of cryopreservation.