Oral supplementation of selenium improves post-thaw sperm quality in Saanen bucks

Objective: To determine the effect of oral selenium supplementation and semen collection methods on various post thaw semen quality parameters in Saanen bucks. Methods: Sixteen healthy bucks were divided into two equal groups (n=8 each). The treatment group received selenium at 10-day intervals for three months. Sperm kinematic parameters, morphological parameters, mitochondrial membrane potential, plasma membrane functionality, and sperm DNA integrity were evaluated weekly pre and post-cryopreservation. Results: The mean percentages of the morphological abnormalities were significantly lower in the selenium-supplemented samples when semen was collected by using artificial vagina method (P<0.05). Proximal droplet defects were significantly lower in the selenium supplementation group when semen was collected by electro-ejaculation (P<0.05). Post-thaw sperm parameters such as total motility and progressive motility were significantly higher when semen was obtained by artificial vagina in the selenium-supplemented bucks compared to the electro-ejaculation and the control groups (P<0.05). The sperm kinematic parameters such as curvilinear velocity, average path velocity, and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly higher when semen was collected by artificial vagina in the selenium-treated bucks (P<0.05). The percentages of sperm with intact and functional plasma membrane and functional mitochondria were significantly higher in the selenium-supplemented samples collected with artificial vagina compared to the electro-ejaculation method and the control groups (P<0.05). In vitro fertilizing potential was significantly higher in the selenium-supplemented samples collected with artificial vagina compared to the electro-ejaculation method and the control groups, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusions: Oral supplementation of selenium and artificial vagina semen collection improve post thaw sperm quality parameters of Saanen buck.