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Reproduction is fundamental for all living things as it ensures the continued existence of a species and an improved economy in animal husbandry. Reproduction has developed since history, and diverse processes, such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, have been developed. Semen extenders were discovered and developed to protect sperm from harmful factors, such as freeze and osmotic shock, oxidative stress, and cell injury by ice crystals. Semen extenders preserve sperm by stabilizing its properties, including sperm morphology, motility, and viability and membrane, acrosomal, and DNA integrity. Therefore, semen extenders must provide a favorable pH, adenosine triphosphate, anti-cooling and anti-freeze shock, and antioxidant activity to improve semen quality for fertilization. Hence, this review provides precise data on different semen extenders, preservative mechanisms, and essential additives for semen extenders in different animals.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) supplement on the uteri of rats exposed to lead acetate (LA) toxicity. Materials and Methods: Five treatment groups were established as follows: Group 1 (C), which was given distilled water; Group 2 (T0), which was administered with LA (10 mg/kg body weight [BW]); and Groups 3 (T1), 4 (T2), and 5 (T3), which were given LA (10 mg/kg BW) plus graded concentrations of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg BW of EBN, respectively, for days. Rats were euthanized at week 5 to collect blood for superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay, and uterus for histomorphological study and expression analyses of epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Results: Results revealed that LA causes destruction of uterine lining cells and necrosis of uterine glands of exposed rats without EBN supplement while the degree of damage decreased among EBN treated groups; T3 showed the highest ameliorating effect against LA toxicity, as well as an increased number of uterine glands. Increased levels of SOD were also achieved in EBN supplemented groups than the controls. Results of immunohistochemistry showed significantly higher expressions of EGF, VEGF, and PCNA levels (p

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different holding temperature before freezing on the motility,morphology and viability of chilled and frozen spermatozoa. Semen was performed from four mature bullsby electro-ejaculator. After initial evaluation and first dilution using Tris-egg yolk semen extender, fourgroups of diluted semen samples were kept in four different holding temperatures (4°C, 15°C, 25°C and37°C) for 10 minutes. All semen samples were subsequently chilled in refrigerator at 4°C for at least 3hours. Post chilling evaluation was done after second dilution with the same extender added with glycerol.The semen samples were packed into 0.25 ml straws before freezing into liquid nitrogen. Thawing of frozensemen samples were done on day 1 post cryopreservation in water maintained at 37°C for 30 seconds. Semenevaluation was conducted post thawing. The results showed that there were no significant difference amongthe four different holding temperatures for the post chilling and frozen-thawed sperm motility, morphologyand viability. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that 10 minutes holding time at differentholding temperatures before freezing did not affect the quality of chilled and frozen bull spermatozoa.

Alchornea cordifolia, a shrub found in tropical Africa, is used to treat several physiological disorders, including male infertility and impotency. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on the sexual behavior of senescent and sexually inexperienced rats. In order to evaluate aphrodisiac properties and reproductive performance, rats were divided into groups: group I receiving distilled water, group II receiving testosterone, group III receiving sildenafil citrate, group IV and V receiving the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves at 200 mg / kg and 400 mg / kg, respectively. The treatment was done by gavage for groups I, III, IV and V and subcutaneous injection of testosterone every three days for group II for 14 days. On days 1, 7 and 14, the rats were mated to the receptive females. At the end of this last treatment, the rats were mated with gonad-intact females. 14 days after of treatment, the extract leads to an increase in libido and sexual performance parameters (mounts, intromissions and ejaculations frequency) and an increase in sexual desire (decrease of mount and intromission latency). The extract also prolonged the duration of coitus by increasing the ejaculation latency and the average interval of copulation. An increase in the percentage of female’s rats impregnated as well as the numbers of implantations were recorded in females’ rats mated with the males treated with our extract. These results reveal the potential of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves to improve male reproductive performance justifying its use in traditional medicine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 8% virgin coconut oil (VCO) combined with different percentages of egg yolk in Tris extender on the quality of chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen. A total of 24 ejaculates from four bulls were collected using an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 8% VCO in Tris extender which contained different concentrations 0% (control), 4%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% egg yolk. The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions: one was chilled and stored at 4°C until evaluation after 24, 72, and 144h; the second fraction was processed by chilling for 3h at 4°C to equilibrate, then packaged in 0.25ml straws and frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C until evaluation after 7 and 14 days. Both chilled and frozen semen samples were then thawed at 37°C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA), viability, acrosome integrity, and morphology (eosin-nigrosin), membrane integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)). The results indicate treatments with 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% egg yolk with 8% VCO had greater sperm quality (P

Aim: The objective of this research is to report parameters for breeding soundness evaluation, semen extension, and cryopreservation in Rusa timorensis. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy stags were chosen for semen collection using an electroejaculator. The collections were performed twice in a breeding season between February and June 2016. Samples were collected between 2 and 3 weeks interval, collected twice for each animal. Semen was evaluated, extended, and cryopreserved using four different extenders; Andromed®, BioXcell®, Triladyl®, and a modified Tris-egg yolk combined with Eurycoma longifolia Jack. Results: R. timorensis semen characteristics according to volume (ml), color, sperm concentration (106/ml), general motility (%), progressive motility (%), and % morphology of normal spermatozoa are 0.86±0.18 ml, thin milky to milky, 1194.2±346.1 106/ml, 82.9±2.8%, 76.1±4.8%, and 83.9±4.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Semen characteristics of R. timorensis collected by electroejaculation is good allowing for cryopreservation and future artificial insemination work. The most suitable extender for Rusa deer semen is Andromed®.

This study was carried out to improve the kinetic motilities of frozen-thawed bull semen diluted with tris-based egg yolk diluent that was supplemented with Eurycoma longifolia jack aqueous extract. A total of 24 ejaculates were obtained from six cross-bred bulls using an electro-ejaculator. The extract of Eurycoma longifolia jack was distributed into three low doses and three high doses; cryopreserved samples were evaluated into three different times to confirm the results of kinetic motilities through different times and between groups. Path velocity (VAP μm/s), progress velocity (VSL μm/s), track speed (VCL μm/s), lateral amplitude (ALH μm/s), Beat Frequency (BCF Hz), straightness (STR %), linearity (LIN %), were evaluated three different times using Computer-assisted sperm analysis. Results revealed that the percentage of VAP, ASL and VCL were higher (p

The effect of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves on the fertility of senescent male rats was assessed in this study. 40 rats received daily distilled water, testosterone, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract of Alchornea cordifolia. The reproductive organs weight, the gonadotropins, testosterone and cholesterol level, the sperm parameters, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. The weight of testes and prostate (400 mg/kg) significantly increased (p < 0.05) as well as the level of FHS (p < 0.001), LH and testosterone (p < 0.01) at a dose of 400 mg/kg, respectively, while the cholesterol decreased at a dose of 200 mg/kg (p < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01) respectively. The testes and epididymis were full of spermatozoa particularly at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The sperm count and morphology significantly increased at both doses of 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001; p < 0.01) respectively. The sperm motion (PROG, VAP, VSL, VCL) (p < 0.001), (ALH, BCF) (p < 0.05) increased at a dose of 200 mg/kg and decreased at a dose of 400 mg/ kg. The overall results provide the strong evidence of the fertility potential of the methanolic extract of Alchornea cordifolia leaves in senescent male rats.

This study was to evaluate the influence of Panax ginseng aqueous extract on chilled and frozen-thawed bull sperm quality. Samples of semen were acquired from four bulls through the use of an electro-ejaculator. Extension of the semen was done with tris-egg yolk diluent which was augmented with 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/mL Panax ginseng aqueous extract. Diluted chilled portions of the semen were chilled for 6 days at 5 ̊C whereas the frozen semen was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. Results revealed that in chilled and frozen-thawed semen, the control group, T1 and T2 recorded higher percentages in terms of sperm motility and viability in all three groups evaluated compared to others, while the high dose of Panax ginseng aqueous extract in T6 and T5 recorded the lowest percentage. Moreover, the values of sperm morphology for chilled and frozen-thawed semen were not significant among the groups. The results of chromatin stability of the present study showed that T2 and control were higher than for other groups. In conclusion, the low dosage groups (T1, T2 and T3) which were received (0.25 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL, respectively) from Panax ginseng aqueous extract were not significant as compared with the control group while high-dosage groups (T4, T5 and T6) which were received (2.5 mg/mL, 5 mg/mL and 7.5 mg/mL, respectively) from Panax ginseng aqueous extract were highly decreased spermatozoa characteristics.

Aim: The present study was designed to demonstrate the autoligation (AL) of vas deferens and the excision-ligation (EL) technique to generate vasectomized rams to reduce the complications, operative time, and price of the vasectomy techniques. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 healthy and mature Iraqi Awassi rams were used, which divided into two groups, six rams for each one. The former group was performed the EL technique while the latter group, the AL of vas deferens technique was used. Results: The results of the present study found that both techniques were same with the reproductive efficient examinations that mean the two techniques had same ability to close the male genital passage for teaser rams preparation. However, the methods were different with the histopathological changes, operation time, prices, and complications, which were minor in the AL of vas deferens compared with the EL technique. Conclusion: The AL technique of vas deferens to prepare teaser animal is recommended over the EL technique due to different aspects such as cost, fewer complications, and active teaser for a long period are the main aspects of AL technique.

This study aims to assess the effect of Eurycoma longifolia aqueous extract on chilled and cryopreserved quality of bull sperm. Semen samples were obtained from four Simmental-Brangus. Each sample was divided into two fractions: the first fraction was used for chilling the semen, and the second fraction was used for the freezing process. Both fractions were extended with Tris-egg yolk extender supplemented with 0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 mg/ml Eurycoma longifolia aqueous extract. The diluted chilled fraction was chilled at 5 °C for 6 days, whereas the frozen-thawed fraction was frozen in liquid nitrogen. Data revealed that 1 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract yielded significantly (p .05) higher sperm motility, morphology, viability, and sperm membrane integrity compared with the control group and other treated groups in chilled semen evaluation. For cryopreserved sperm, a significant difference (p .05) in sperm motility, viability, sperm membrane integrity, DNA integrity, and lipid peroxidation was observed between 5 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract and other treated and control groups. However, no significant difference in the percentage of sperm exhibiting normal sperm morphology was observed among the groups. In conclusion, the addition of 0.25 and 1 mg/ml E. langifolia extract to chilled semen and 5 mg/ml E. longifolia aqueous extract to cryopreserved sperm into Tris-egg yolk extender helps in maintaining superior quality of bull spermatozoa during chilling and freezing.

Aim: The objective of this research is to report parameters for breeding soundness evaluation, semen extension, and cryopreservation in Rusa timorensis. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy stags were chosen for semen collection using an electroejaculator. The collections were performed twice in a breeding season between February and June 2016. Samples were collected between 2 and 3 weeks interval, collected twice for each animal. Semen was evaluated, extended, and cryopreserved using four different extenders; Andromed®, BioXcell®, Triladyl®, and a modified Tris-egg yolk combined with Eurycoma longifolia Jack. Results: R. timorensis semen characteristics according to volume (ml), color, sperm concentration (106/ml), general motility (%), progressive motility (%), and % morphology of normal spermatozoa are 0.86±0.18 ml, thin milky to milky, 1194.2±346.1 106/ml, 82.9±2.8%, 76.1±4.8%, and 83.9±4.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Semen characteristics of R. timorensis collected by electroejaculation is good allowing for cryopreservation and future artificial insemination work. The most suitable extender for Rusa deer semen is Andromed®.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of soybean lecithin (SL) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) in Tris-based extender on chilled and frozen-thawed bull semen quality parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 ejaculates were collected from four bulls via an electroejaculator. Semen samples were diluted with 2% VCO in Tris-based extender which consists of various concentrations of SL (1, 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75%). A 20% egg yolk in Tris used as a positive control (C+). The diluted semen samples were divided into two fractions; one for chilling which were stored at 4°C for 24, 72, and 144 h before evaluated for semen quality parameters. The second fraction used for freezing was chilled for 3 h at 4°C, packed into 0.25 mL straws and then cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. The samples were then evaluated after 7 and 14 days. Chilled and frozen semen samples were thawed at 37°C and assessed for general motility using computer-assisted semen analysis, viability, acrosome integrity and morphology (eosin-nigrosin stain), membrane integrity, and lipid peroxidation using thiobarbituric acid reaction test. Results: The results showed that all the quality parameters assessed were significantly (p