Effect of Ergothioneine Supplementation in Tris Extender on the Quality of Cooled Awassi Ram Semen

• Zhina Abbas Mohammed1*, Esra Mohan Muhsin2, Karzan Abdulkadir Ahmed and Sarood Samal Shakwkat1

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The aim of this research is to evaluate the effects of mixing tris diluent with ergothioneine on the properties of the semen collected by Awassi Rams. This investigation was carried out by the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, which comprises the Department of Animal Production at the University of Baghdad and the Department of Animal Science at the University of Sulaimani. In this technique, semen samples were collected from eight rams that were between the ages of two and three years old. Once semen was obtained from each animal by means of an artificial vagina, the semen was then diluted with Ergothioneine at varying concentrations. Ergothioneine was added to the semen extender at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 mM, and at varying time intervals (0, 24, 48, and 72 hours following the dilution). Cooling preservation at 5 °C demonstrated that supplementation with 5 mM ergothioneine significantly improved sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity in Awassi rams compared with higher concentrations and the control group (P < 0.05), particularly during the initial phase of storage. However, extended preservation up to 72 h was associated with increased DNA fragmentation, especially at 15 mM, while ergothioneine treatments overall reduced malondialdehyde levels, indicating a mitigation of oxidative stress.

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