Protective Effect of B1 and B12 Vitamins on Post-Thaw Sperm Quality Parameters and Seminal Plasma Antioxidant Status in Rams.

BACKGROUND

Sperm membranes, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, are highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Oxidative stress significantly impacts sperm function, and B-group vitamins play a crucial role in mitigating this damage.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the effects of vitamins B1 (VitB1) and B12 (VitB12) on sperm quality and seminal antioxidant status following cryopreservation in Arabi rams.

METHODS

Semen was collected from 10 Arabi rams and pooled. The pooled semen was diluted and cryopreserved with varying concentrations of VitB1 and VitB12 (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/mL). Post-thaw sperm quality parameters, including motility, viability, membrane integrity and morphology, were assessed. In addition, seminal antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation were evaluated.

RESULTS

Supplementation with 1 mg/mL VitB12 and 0.5-1 mg/mL VitB1 significantly enhanced post-thaw sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity and morphology. This was accompanied by a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The highest total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was observed with 1 mg/mL VitB12 and 0.5 mg/mL VitB1 (p < 0.05), positively correlating with sperm motility and viability (p < 0.01). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was highest in the 1 mg/mL VitB12 and VitB1 groups and negatively correlated with sperm abnormalities (p < 0.01). Catalase (CAT) activity significantly increased in the 1-2 mg/mL VitB12 and 0.5-2 mg/mL VitB1 groups, positively correlating with sperm progressive motility and viability (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that incorporating 1 mg/mL VitB12 and 0.5 mg/mL VitB1 into the cryopreservation extender effectively mitigates oxidative stress, enhances antioxidant defences and improves post-thaw semen quality in Arabi rams.