Improvement of Ram’s Frozen Sperm Quality Using Glutathione Antioxidant

The aim of this study was improvement of ram frozen semen efficiency using addition of glutathione antioxidant to freezing medium. In this experiment, semen samples were collected from five Zell rams and add to the extender containing 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mM glutathione. In sperm quality evaluation, sperm samples were evaluated and motion parameters, membrane integrity, morphology, acrosome integrity, mitochondria activity, viability and lipid peroxidation were assessed. The results showed using 4 mM glutathione resulted in improving of sperm total and progressive motility, membrane integrity, mitochondria activity, acrosome integrity, and viability as well as reduction of apoptosis rate and lipid peroxidation. Using the treatment of 8 mM glutathione caused to reduction of sperm quality after thawing and the antioxidantd did not have any effect on sperm morphology. In conclusion, using 4 mM glutathione in freezing extender could be a suitable method to improve ram sperm reproductive performance after freeze-thaw process.