The In Vitro Effects of Calcitriol on Seminal Traits in Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) Breeders

Background: There is generally a decrease in the quality of invitro preserved spermatozoa which limits the use of artificialinsemination in many species. This study was aimed at possibleincreases in the quality of in vitro preserved partridge spermatozoawhen the semen extender was supplemented with calcitriol.Materials and Methods: Sixty male partridges were habituatedto semen collection by abdominal massage. The seminalconcentration of calcitriol was initially quantified (۱۲ mg/mL).Ejaculates from males were pooled and extended (۱ to ۵) inSexton’s diluent containing ۰, ۲۴, ۴۸, ۹۶ or ۱۹۲ μg calcitriol permilliliter. Twelve sub-samples for each treatment group werekept at ۴-۵ºC for ۴۸ hours. The percentage of motile sperm,live sperm (eosin-nigrosin staining), and concentration of thiobarbituricacid reactive species (TBARS) were determined intriplicate. The data were analyzed by the mixed procedure ofSTATA software.Results: The percentage of motile sperm, live sperm, and seminalTBARS were affected by calcitriol (P<۰.۰۵). A significantinteraction effect of calcitriol, storage duration, and storagetemperature was also detected.Conclusion: Supplementation of the diluent with ۱۹۶ μg calcitriolper milliliter resulted in the highest sperm motility at۴ºC. The same treatment group recorded the highest spermviability and lowest seminal TBARS as well. Supplementingthe diluent with calcitriol had beneficial effects on the Chukarspermatozoa; however, fertility rate of the sperm extended incalcitriol-supplemented diluent needs to be determined beforethe procedure could be recommended for probable use in artificialinsemination programs.

کلیدواژه ها:

Oxidative stress ، Partridge ، Semen ، Sperm ، Vitamin D