Effects of ethanolic extract of Raphia hookeri fruits on chilled ram semen characteristics
Paper Details
Effects of ethanolic extract of Raphia hookeri fruits on chilled ram semen characteristics
Abstract
Oxidative stress which result from the imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the capacity of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals, contributes to the deterioration of semen quality during preservation. Raphia hookeri fruits are rich in compounds with antioxidants properties such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, anthocyanin and coumarin. The present study aims at evaluating the effect of the supplementing semen extender (skim milk) with different levels of ethanolic extract of Raphia hookeri fruits on chilled ram semen stored. Semen samples from six healthy adult Djallonké (Ovis aries) rams were collected once a week for 6 weeks using electro-ejaculator and diluted in skim milk-based extenders. This mixture was supplemented with Raphia hookeri 75, 150, and 300µg/ml ethanolic extract at doses added to extender, alongside neutral control and positive control (0 μg/ml of extract, 3000 µg/ml of vitamin C). Samples were therefore preserved at 5 °C in the fridge. Sperm cell characteristics were assessed consecutively after 0, 24, 48, and 72 hour, using CASA for the kinematics characteristics, eosin/nigrosin staining for the viability, hypo-osmotic swelling test for membrane integrity and that of DNA was assessed through the orange acridine test. The supplementation of the skim milk extender with various doses of Raphia hookeri extract provided higher percentages of viability and percentages of motile sperm cells at 72 hour of storage. Moreover, 150µg/mL extract added to the extender permit to maintain the DNA integrity at 100% over the time of preservation and the membrane integrity higher than the negative control at 72 hour. Concerning the oxidative stress biomarkers, 300µg/mL permit to reduce the accumulation of MDA at 72 hour and maintain the Catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) close to the negative control value. However, no significant effects of the interaction of the duration of storage and the dose of Raphia hookeri have been noted during this investigation. Further research has to be performing to determine the various doses with significant effects. Raphia hookeri extract showed promise as a natural antioxidant, with trends indicating potential protective effects against oxidative damages on ram spermatozoa.
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Pamboundom Alassa*, Augustave Kenfack , 2026. Effects of ethanolic extract of Raphia hookeri fruits on chilled ram semen characteristics. Int. J. Agron. Agric. Res., 29(2), 1-15.
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