Thesis
Effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on equine semen quality
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2019
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104039
Abstract
Mammalian spermatozoa are highly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS) due to the high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their membranes and a lack of cytoplasmic antioxidants. Thus, OS is a major factor in poor sperm function and poor conception rate. A strategy to improve semen quality is to prevent or reduce OS formation by antioxidant supplementation. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the effects of CoQ10, a known potent antioxidant, on semen quality when added to the post-thaw extender and when stallions were supplemented orally. In a first study, the effects of addition of two concentrations of CoQ10 (40 µg/ml and 80 µg/ml) on post-thaw quality of semen (total/progressive motility, viability, plasma membrane functionality) from 6 stallions was evaluated after incubation at 37°C for 3 hours. The results of this experiment did not show any effects of CoQ10 supplementation. There was a large variation in the effect of addition of CoQ10 amongst stallions. In the second study, the effects of daily nutritional supplementation with CoQ10 on quality of cooled, frozen-thawed and frozen semen after cooling were studied. Seven stallions were orally supplemented with 1-gram Q10 - ubiquinol /day for 4 weeks. Semen quality parameters (total/progressive motility and viability) were determined every 2 weeks for a total of 8 weeks. The main results of the study showed that CoQ10 supplementation in feed improved sperm membrane integrity (viability) and total motility after 24hs cooling. Overall semen quality parameters increased within the first 2 weeks after beginning supplementation then plateaued at 4 weeks. There was a notable variation between the responses of individual stallions. In summary the results from the second study indicated that there may be a beneficial effect of CoQ10 on semen quality after dietary supplementation to stallions. These preliminary results can be used for power analysis and sample size calculation in future studies in nutritional supplementation of CoQ10 to stallions. Future research may clarify the effect of added dietary CoQ10 on semen quality parameters; thus, leading to maximizing fertilizing potential of the stallion ejaculate and stallions in breeding programs.
Metrics
113 File views/ downloads
76 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on equine semen quality
- Creators
- Agustin Javier Ruiz Olivieri
- Contributors
- A. Tibary (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Veterinary Medicine, College of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525301401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis