Effect of adenosine concentration on quality of cooled ram semen

ABSTRACT This study analyzed the adenosine concentration on quality of ram semen in different refrigerated storage times at 5 °C. The design was in blocks with repeated-measures factorial design. Five levels of adenosine and four refrigeration times were considered as fixed effects and the animal as random effect (block). Ram semen was diluted with Andromed® diluent (control) and increasing adenosine levels (0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5%). The samples were taken from refrigeration after 4, 8, 12, and 16 h and evaluated for progressive rectilinear sperm motility, sperm vigor, and membrane integrity (supravital test). Data were subjected to analysis of variance with Tukey's test. The regression analysis was conducted to evaluate behavior of adenosine levels. Factor interaction for rectilinear progressive motile variable was verified. There was a quadratic effect of progressive rectilinear motility in function of adenosine levels for each cooled storage time studied, with recommended maximum adenosine concentration of 0.81 and 1.04% at 4 and 8 h, respectively. Adenosine also promoted a protective effect on the membrane integrity. Adenosine added to the diluent increases sperm motility and vigor and protects the sperm membrane integrity.