Influence of Trolox and Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Post-Thawed Pırlak Ram Sperm Parameters, Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Non-Breeding Season

The present study was conducted to examine the protective roles of trolox and alpha-lipoic on post-thawed Pirlak ram sperm parameters, oxidative stress and DNA damage in non-breeding season. Semen samples from 5 healty Pırlak rams (2-3 years of age) were used in the study. Six ejaculates for each rams were collected and pooled. Ejaculates were split into three aliquots and diluted to a final concentration of 150x106 spermatozoa/ml with the base extender containing 1 mM alpha lipoic acid, 1 mM trolox and no additive (control) were cooled to 5 °C and equilibrated for 3 h then frozen in 0.25 ml French straws. Samples were thawed in 37 oC and evaluated in terms of spermatological parameters, DNA damage, oxidative stress. Sperm motility was increased, acrosome rate and DNA damage were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in ALA, head abnormal sperm rate and membrane integrity were increased, acrosome rate and DNA damege were decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in trolox when compared to the control group. Compared with the control group, reductions in spermatozoon MDA and GSH levels were statistically significant (P <0.05) in lipoic acid and trolox groups. Results of this study suggest that alpha-lipoic acid and trolox improve sperm parmeters, oxidative stress and DNA damage in non-breeding season.