Protective Effects of Nano Zinc on Barki Ram Semen Viability

Abstract

Sixty Barki semen ejaculates were collected using the artificial vagina. Semen samples were evaluated, pooled then subjected for processing using different concentrations of nano zinc (10, 50, 100 and 150µg/ml). Short-term chilled storage duration, absolute survivability index, post-thaw recovery, reduction rate, live percent, membrane integrity, acrosomal reaction, DNA integrity, head & tail’s diameter and DNA % were assessed. 150µg/ml of nano zinc can stabilize high motility % (80±0.54%) for about 11 days post dilution and chilling, then drastically dropped on day 18 (47±0.57%). Moreover, 150µg/ml recorded the best of absolute survivability index (33096±374), motility after dilution (86.67±1.05%), after cooling (87.50 ± 1.11%), after freezing- thawing process (56.67±1.66 %). Furthermore, 150µg/ml treated group keeping the highest records along the first three hours post-thawing (54.17 ± 1.53, 50.00 ± 1.29, and 47.50 ± 1.11%, respectively). Additionally, 150 µg/ml treated samples presented the highest viability index (180±3.47%), post-thaw recovery rate (65.47±2.26%), post-thawing live % (54.17±2.58%). While 150 µg/ml treated group showed the lowest reduction % (15.81 ± 3.12 %), acrosomal reaction (9.83±0.7%). Moreover, 150µg/ml treated samples recorded the largest head diameter and highest DNA % (52.87±1.74 and 97.51±0.30%, respectively), but showed the lowest tail diameter and tail DNA % (6.22±0.33 and 2.48±0.30%%, respectively). Furthermore, 150µg/ml treated group displayed the lowest comet %, tail moment and olive tail moment (8.950±0.02 %, 0.15±0.02 and 0.40±0.10, respectively) if compared with the other nano zinc treated groups. In conclusion: 150µg/ml of ZnO-NPs improves Barki ram semen processing, particularly, chilled semen viability, motility, longevity, membrane, and DNA integrity.