Effect of partial deoxygenation of semen extender on physico-morphological attributes and antioxidant profile of Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) during cryopreservation

The present study semen extender was prepared freshly and divided into two sub extenders namely, Extender I: control (non deoxygenated) and Extender II: partially deoxygenated by using mechanical method). The estimation of dissolved oxygen (DO) level was done in both extenders. Semen sample was split into two groups viz., group I: diluted with extender I and group II: diluted with extender II up to 60×106 sperm/mL. The diluted semen samples were packed, kept for equilibration and then kept in automatic programmable freezer then plunging into LN2. The evaluation of semen samples was carried out for various seminal attributes (sperm motility, live sperm count, acrosomal integrity (AI), and hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS response) and antioxidant profile (superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) at pre freeze and post thaw stage. Sperm motility, live sperm count, acrosomal integrity, HOS response were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II as compared to group I. The average seminal SOD, GPx and TAC levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in group II as compared to group I at pre freeze and post thaw stage. It is concluded that partial deoxygenation of the extender prior to its addition to semen enhances sperm quality in terms of sperm motility, live sperm count, AI and HOS response and also improves seminal antioxidant profile.