In vitro Assessment of Tris Egg Yolk and Soybean Lecithin Based Extenders for Cryopreservation of Crossbred Ram Semen.

BACKGROUND The replacement of egg yolk with alternative plant-derived soybean lecithin is gaining interest in both animal and human sperm cryopreservation owing to biosecurity issues with egg yolk based extenders. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the comparative effect of egg yolk and soyabean lecithin based extenders on the quality of cryopreserved crossbred ram semen. METHODS Pooled ejaculates (total ejaculates = 36) were divided into two aliquots and extended with Tris egg yolk extender (Tris extender) and soybean lecithin based commercial extender (Ovixcell) RESULTS: Among the two extenders, Ovixcell showed better sperm quality both at the pre-freeze (Sperm motility) and post-thaw stages. Lower malondialdehyde (MDA) level (nmol/mL) was observed in Ovixcell as compared to Tris extender. Both sperm quality and MDA level decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from pre-freeze to post-thaw in both the extenders. CONCLUSION The findings of the present study indicate that Ovixcell is a comparable alternative to Tris extender for the cryopreservation of crossbred ram semen.