Evaluación del efecto combinado de Coenzima Q10 y L-Carnitina sobre la crioconservación de semen ovino

Abstract

One of the main limitations for cryopreservation of ram semen as part of veterinary science is its high sensitivity to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Spermatozoa are constantly exposed to this damage due to changes in temperature, light, and their own biochemical nature, which affects their viability, motility, and functionality. This highlights the need to use additives with antioxidant properties, given their apparent positive impact on the preservation of animal genetics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of adding Coenzyme Q10 (0.05 mM), a widely used antioxidant in reproductive supplementation, and L-Carnitine (1 mM), an amino acid derivative with functions in fatty acid transport and antioxidant activity, to the freezing medium. For this purpose, eight semen samples were collected from a single ram, and the treatments included CoQ10 (0.05 mM), L-Carnitine (1 mM), both molecules combined at the same doses, and a control (Tryladil). Motility, viability, membrane integrity and functionality, as well as mitochondrial activity, sperm progressivity, and kinematics were assessed using the C.A.S.A. (Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis System). The results showed negative effects (p<0.05) of the combined solution on all sperm quality parameters compared to the control and L-Carnitine alone, while no significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in sperm kinematics. It is therefore concluded that the combined addition of L-Carnitine and CoQ10 to the freezing medium alters the redox balance at the sperm level and reduces fertility potential.

Keywords: Animal Genetics; Biochemical; Fertility; Samples; Veterinary Science