The present study aimed to assess the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes activities of diluted rabbit semen
enriched with different concentrations of pomegranate peel methanolic extract (PPME) during chilled storage. Semen
was collected from 10 rabbit bucks, pooled, then divided into five aliquots and diluted each in 5 ml Tris-citric acidglucose-
egg yolk extender (TCGY). The 1st aliquot served as control, while PPME was added in different concentrations
(1.6, 2.0, 2.4 and 2.8 mg/5 ml TCGY extender) to the aliquots 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Diluted semen samples were
refrigerated at 5°C for 72 hours. Lipid peroxidation (MDA), H2O2 concentration, SOD, CAT activities and GSH
concentration were evaluated in chilled seminal plasma during the chilling period. Obtained results clearly demonstrated
that the addition of 1.6 – 2.8 mg PPME in the chilled seminal plasma proved to be beneficial for minimizing MDA and
H2O2 concentrations; in addition, they increased SOD, CAT activities and GSH concentration compared to the control.
While, the concentrations of 2.4 and 2.8 mg were the best PPME enrichments that maintained the highest SOD, CAT
activities and GSH concentration. It was concluded that the enrichment of rabbit semen TCGY extender with 2.4 – 2.8
mg PPME during chilling had significantly decreased sperm lipid peroxidation and H2O2 production beside they enhanced
the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the reduced glutathione. |
