The effects of astaxanthin and selenium on sperm quality and quantity after freezing and thawing procedures in male rats

Background: A number of studies have found that increased antioxidant intake is linked to improved sperm quality. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the addition of the antioxidants of astaxanthin and selenium to freezing media on the post-thawing sperm characteristics, including motility, morphology, viability and Ultimately, DNA damage.Methods: Each sample was divided into three groups: 5mg/mL of selenium was added to one of groups and 1 micro molar of astaxanthin was added to diluted sperm in another group and also the third group without astaxanthin and selenium was considered as control.Result: The results showed that sperm motility in astaxanthin -treated samples was higher compared to selenium -treated samples (P < 0.05). DNA damage percentage in astaxanthin -treated samples compared to selenium -treated samples showed no difference (P > 0.05) but in both treated sperm samples, DNA damaged percentage decreased compared to untreated ones (P < 0.05). Moreover, the effect of astaxanthin on morphology of sperms was higher than selenium samples after thawing procedure. Normal morphology percentage in astaxanthin- treated samples was significantly higher than both selenium and untreated samples after thawing (P < 0.001). In the treated samples, a higher number of sperms with normal morphology compared to untreated samples (P < 0.001) was observed.Conclusion: Based on our results, it is concluded that astaxanthin addition during freezing resulted in positive effects on sperm parameters after thawing in adult rats.