Measurement and prevention of oxidative stress in bull spermatozoa

Oxidative stress and free radicals can have a significant impact on artificial insemination (AI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome. We highlight the energizing concept of utilizing antioxidants as main defense against oxidative stress induced by free radicals. This study on the fresh spermatozoa of crossbred cattle bull is undertaken to induced oxidative stress by ferrous ascorbate (FeAA) and to reduce this caused stress by antioxidants (vitamin E and Mn2+) in order to suggest the possible factor(s) / additive(s) for increasing the fertilizing potential; which is otherwise decreasing in this species. The results conclude that antioxidants such as vitamin E and MnCl2 serve as effective antioxidative therapies in crossbred cattle bull spermatozoa to overcome excessive ROS generation and the oxidative damages produced by them. It is suggested that antioxidant supplementation could be of clinical importance in prolonging the spermatozoal storage for AI, IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) purposes.