Effects of supplementation of Tris-egg yolk extender with royal jelly on chilled and frozen-thawed ram semen characteristics

This study was conducted to examine the effect of supplementation of Tris-egg yolk extender with lyophilized royal jelly (RJ) on chilled and frozen-thawed ram semen parameters. Ejaculates were collected by artificial vagina from 4 mature rams, twice a week for 4 weeks. Only samples with motility of >= 70% were included, pooled and divided into four equal parts and then diluted in extenders with various concentrations of RJ (0, 1, 3 and 5%, vol/vol) to a final concentration of 200 x 10(6) sperm/mL and was incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min and were subsequently evaluated. After equilibration of extended semen for 2 hat 4 degrees C, some semen samples were packed in 0.25 mL plastic straws. Then, the straws were frozen in the liquid nitrogen vapor phase for 15 min and stored at -196 degrees C in liquid nitrogen. The frozen straws were thawed in warm water (37 degrees C) for 30 s and evaluated; whereas, other semen samples were stored in the refrigerator (4 degrees C) up to 7 days. The chilled samples were kept in water bath (37 degrees C) for 5 min and then were evaluated. After dilution, the lowest and highest sperm total abnormality was recorded in 3 and 5% RJ supplemented groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The chilled sperm total motility and membrane integrity were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in 3% than those in 0% and 5% RJ supplemented groups. The chilled sperm progressive motility and viability was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in 1 and 3% than those in 0 and 5% RJ supplemented groups. The frozen-thawed sperm total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity and viability were significantly higher in 3% RI supplemented group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of Tris-egg yolk extender with 3% lyophilized RJ had a protective effect on chilled and cryopreserved ram spermatozoa.