Abstract The aim of present study was to determine the effect of astaxanthin supplementation of the semen extender on post-thaw semen quality and fertility. Semen samples were collected from four fertile rams by using an artificial vagina, pooled and diluted with a Tris–citric acid–fructose–yolk extender, supplemented with AST at 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 μM concentraitons. For the control group, semen was processed in the basic extender without AST. Extended semen was aspirated into straws which were cooled to 5 °C and frozen on liquid nitrogen vapor. After 24 h, the straws were thawed in a water bath for 30 s. The results showed that supplementation of the extender with 2 and 4 μM AST increased the sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity in frozen-thawed semen compared to other groups (P 0.05). Higher fertility rates were obtained when semen extender contained 2 μM (48.33%) and 4 μM (45.76%) AST compared with control group (21.15%). The results showed that, inclusion of AST in frozen ram semen extenders could improve seminal quality and fertility rate.

中文翻译：

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添加虾青素对公羊精液的冷冻性、脂质过氧化、抗氧化酶活性和解冻后生育力的影响

摘要 本研究的目的是确定在精液补充剂中添加虾青素对解冻后精液质量和生育力的影响。通过使用人工阴道从四只可育公羊中收集精液样本，将其混合并用 Tris-柠檬酸-果糖-蛋黄补充剂稀释，并辅以 0.5、1、2 或 4 μM 浓度的 AST。对于对照组，精液在不含 AST 的基础稀释剂中处理。将延长的精液吸入稻草中，将其冷却至 5°C 并在液氮蒸气中冷冻。24 h 后，将吸管在水浴中解冻 30 s。结果表明，与其他组相比，用 2 和 4 μM AST 补充补充剂可提高冻融精液中的精子活力和质膜完整性（P = 0.05）。与对照组 (21.15%) 相比，当精液稀释剂含有 2 μM (48.33%) 和 4 μM (45.76%) AST 时，可获得更高的生育率。结果表明，在冷冻公羊精液稀释剂中加入AST可以提高精液质量和生育率。