Effect of selenium nanoparticles on quantitative and qualitative parameters of dog sperm after storage in the refrigerator

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mostafa Panahi ¹
• Ali Soleimanzadeh ¹
• Ali Shalizar-Jalali ²
• Esmail Ayen ¹
• Rahim Molaie ³

¹ Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

² Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

³ Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.

Abstract

Keywords

• dog
• sperm
• Antioxidants
• selenium nano-particles

Main Subjects

• Animal Physiology

Extended Abstract

Introduction

   Artificial insemination (AI) has become feasible and accessible worldwide due to developments in canine semen technology and advances in our understanding of canine physiology. Although AI has been used extensively in cattle for many years, dog breeders have only recently begun to use it. It is becoming increasingly popular as a management tool in dog breeding due to its ability to increase the gene pool of dog breeds whose numbers are limited. A management tool for dog breeding, semen collection, and preservation is a response to the growing demand for AI among dog breeders and owners. Even if they die or reach old age, the sperm of invaluable dogs can be preserved and stored in sperm banks for use by future generations. The semen is kept in the cold to slow down metabolism and preserve sperm viability for a long time. However, during this long storage period, the quality of the semen decreases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly superoxide anion radicals (O2⁻) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which are produced by the cellular components of seminal fluid, are primarily responsible for this decline. Antioxidants must be included in the extender to reduce oxidative stress and improve gamete survival and functional integrity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of selenium nano-particles on the storage of dog semen at 4 ˚C during a period of 48 hours.

Materials and Methods

   In this study, 20 ejaculates were collected from 4 mixed dogs and diluted in a Tris-based diluent. Then, they were divided into 4 parts in control and treated with 0.5, 1, and 1.5 µg selenium nano-particles groups. Sperm parameters including evaluation of total motility, progressive motility, motility characteristics, and sperm viability were evaluated for 48 hours.

Results and discussion

   The purpose of this study is to investigate how storage of selenium nanoparticles affects dog semen stored at 4°C for 48 hours. According to current findings, dog semen with sperm samples containing selenium nanoparticles significantly improves its qualitative properties after storage and thus increases its fertility potential. During the preservation process, sperm motility and viability as well as the amount of free radicals are increased. According to previous research, the fertility rate is positively correlated with the integrity and quality of the sperm plasma membrane. The results showed that selenium nanoparticles improved progressive sperm (27.03±1.48), total motility (49.48±1.27) and viability (41.40±1.03) at concentrations of 1 µg and 0.5 µg [progressive sperm (30.76±1.67), total motility (53.18±1.54) and viability (43.15±1.58)] compared to the control group, but at a concentration 1.5 µg lower than in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

   The results of the current study suggest that the addition of selenium nanoparticles to dog semen at concentrations of 0.1 and 0.5 μg can improve its parameters after storage in liquid media. However, at concentrations of 1.5 μg, it reduces sperm viability and has toxic effects.