Supplementation of Rosmarinic Acid Has Reduced Oxidative Stress on Bull Spermatozoa Following the Freeze Thawing Process.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation has a side effect on the motility, chromatin integrity and viability of sperm cells.

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the effects of supplementation with rosmarinic acid (RA) Tris extender on sperm quality parameters, plasma and acrosome membrane damage, antioxidant enzyme activity and chromatin integrity following the freeze thawing process on bull spermatozoa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ejaculates were split into five aliquots and diluted to a final concentration of 15x106 spermatozoa per ml with the Tris extender containing RA (25, 50, 100 and 200 microgram per ml) and (control) and then frozen at a controlled rate.

RESULT: Treatments did not give better results on the percentages of sperm progressive, total motility and sperm motion characters (P >0.05); however, RA25 and RA50 exhibited favourable chromatin integrity. In conclusion, RA25 and RA50 increased total antioxidant activity. As a consequence, the amount of MDA and chromatin damage were reduced in sperm cells.