Effect of Ginger Extract on Semen Parameters and Sperm DNA Fragmentation during the Liquid Storage at 4°C in Native Roosters (Research Note)

The goal of the current study was to determine the effect of ginger extract on some quality parameters of rooster spermatozoa during liquid storage. A total of 10 healthy adult native roosters were selected and sampled twice a week for three weeks. Treatment groups were made up of basal extender supplemented with various concentrations of ginger extract including 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/mL. Sperm plasma membrane integrity, viability, and motility were assessed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours after semen collection. However, the sperm DNA fragmentation test was determined only after 48 hours of storage. The sperm membrane integrity was high at 24 (81.66%) and 48 (58.66%) hours in control and 60 µg/mL of ginger extract, respectively. The highest sperm viability (70.50%) and motility (76.50%) were obtained in 20 μg/mL ginger extract at 48h. The lowest sperm DNA fragmentation (32%) was observed in the 20 μg/mL of ginger extract. According to the results, the ginger extract showed a protective effect against time-associated harmful changes in semen quality of roosters during liquid storage.