Addition of L-arginine in skim milk extender maintains goat spermatozoa quality in chilled temperature for five days

Research (Published online: 15-11-2019)

14. Addition of L-arginine in skim milk extender maintains goat spermatozoa quality in chilled temperature for five days

Suherni Susilowati, Indah Norma Triana, Wurlina Wurlina, Arimbi Arimbi, Pudji Srianto and Imam Mustofa

Veterinary World, 12(11): 1784-1789

ABSTRACT

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the benefits of L-arginine addition in skim milk extender to maintain the quality of goat spermatozoa in chilled storage.

Materials and Methods: A total of 18 ejaculates from three healthy goats with weight and age of 45 kg and 4-5 years, respectively, were divided into three groups. The control group contained goat semen diluted in a skim milk extender without L-arginine; Treatment I and Treatment II contained goat semen diluted in a skim milk extender with added L-arginine 4 and 6 mM, respectively. These three groups were chilled at 5°C and evaluated daily for 5 days. Observed variables were viability, motility, intact plasma membrane (IPM), malondialdehyde (MDA) level, necrosis, and apoptosis of spermatozoa.

Results: The addition of L-arginine 4 mM was the best treatment in maintaining viability, motility, and IPM and a decreased MDA level, percentage of necrosis, and apoptosis of goat spermatozoa. An ejaculate in this extender can be divided into 37 doses for intracervical insemination in <1 ml volume with 125 million motile spermatozoa.

Conclusion: Goat semen retained its quality when kept for 5 days in chilled storage by adding L-arginine in skim milk extender.

Keywords: apoptosis, goat spermatozoa, L-arginine, malondialdehyde level, necrosis.