Effect of cysteamine antioxidant on cellular parameters and frozen sperm quality in ram

The aim of this study was improvement of ram frozen semen efficiency using addition of cysteamine antioxidant to freezing medium. In this experiment, semen samples were collected from five Zandi rams and add to the extender containing 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mM cysteamine. 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 2 mM cysteamine 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 cysteamine caused to reduction of sperm quality after thawing and the antioxidant did not have any effect on sperm morphology. In conclusion, using 2 mM cysteamine in freezing extender could be a helpful strategy for improvement of ram sperm quality after cryopreservation.