Effect of heparin binding protein on post capacitation sperm motility and viability of frozen thawed buffalo semen

The present study was conducted to assess the effects of exogenous supplementation of heparin binding protein (HBP) in capacitation medium on sperm motility and viability of frozen thawed buffalo semen. Buffalo semen straws from 10 bulls were procured from Central Frozen Semen Production and Training Institute, Hesseraghatta, Banglore-560088. The frozen straws were thawed at 37oC for 30 seconds and emptied into a 15mL sterile plastic centrifuge tube containing 1mL capacitation medium (control), addition of 25µg/mL (treatment I), 50µg/mL (treatment II) and 100µg/mL (treatment III) of HBP .The contents were incubated at 37oC for 2 hours and sperm motility and viability were assessed. The post capacitation sperm motility was significantly (P<0.05) higher in HBP treatment I (64.00% ± 2.21), II (68.00% ± 1.33) and III (66.00% ± 2.21) as compared to control (55.00% ±2.23). Among treatments, insignificant difference was observed in sperm motility though higher percentages of sperm were motile in HBP treatment II. Sperm viability was significantly (P<0.05) higher in HBP treatment I (85.30% ± 0.77), II (86.65% ± 0.92) and III (85.65% ± 0.82) as compared to control (79.80% ±0.73). Among treatments, insignificant difference was observed in sperm viability though more sperm were viable in HBP treatment II. This study revealed that HBP enhanced post capacitation sperm motility and viability which are requisites for successful fertilization.