Preservative effects of pineapple and cucumber juices on viability of refrigerated spermatozoa of West African Dwarf bucks

This study investigated the preservative effects of pineapple and cucumber juices on the viability of refrigerated spermatozoa of the West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks. Pooled semen from WAD bucks was diluted in Tris-egg yolk extenders containing pineapple and cucumber juices each at 2.5,5,7.5 and 10ml/100ml respectively. Microscopic assessments of diluted semen samples were carried out on sperm progressive motility,acrosome and membrane integrities and sperm abnormality after in vitro storage at 5°C for 240 hours. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the stored semen was measured in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The results showed higher (P 0.05) sperm progressive motility in extenders supplemented with pineapple and cucumber juices compared to the control. The extenders supplemented with pineapple and cucumber juices had consistent higher (P 0.05) acrosome integrity up to 48 hours of post-chilling compared to the control. Higher (P 0.05) membrane integrity was obtained in extenders supplemented with fruit juices compared to the control and improved results were obtained in 2.5% pineapple,2.5% and 5% cucumber fruit juices. The extenders supplemented with 2.5% and 5% cucumber juice had lower (P 0.05) abnormality compared to the control The results showed that extenders supplemented with fruit juices had lower (P 0.05) MDA concentrations and improved results were obtained at 2.5% and 5% pineapple and 2.5% cucumber fruit juices. The findings indicate preservative potential of pineapple and cucumber juices on sperm viability of chilled semen stored at 57deg;C. Copyright © 2015. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press.