Thirawat Koedkanmark

This study aimed to investigate physical and biochemical strategies to optimize the preservation and fertilizing capacity of rooster semen during chilled storage and after artificial insemination (AI), respectively. Two semen extenders—0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) and IGGKPh—were evaluated through two factorial experiments. In Experiment 1, a 2 × 2 factorial design was used to examine the effects of oxygen exposure (aerobic vs. reduced-oxygen conditions) and tube rotation (rotated vs. non-rotated) on semen quality during 24 h of storage at 5 °C. Sperm quality was evaluated based on progressive motility, viability, pH, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. IGGKPh was significantly more effective than NaCl in preserving sperm function, maintaining motility above 70% and viability near 90%. Aerobic conditions and tube rotation improved motility but also increased MDA levels, indicating a tradeoff between enhanced metabolic activity and oxidative stress. Semen stored in NaCl lost its fertilizing capacity after 22 h, whereas IGGKPh under aerobic and rotated conditions resulted in significantly higher fertility rates (91.77%) compared with non-rotated samples. In Experiment 2, the effects of HEPES buffer supplementation (present vs. absent) and handling temperature (5 °C vs. 25 °C) were evaluated under simulated AI conditions. Semen extended in IGGKPh was stored at 5 °C for 22 h prior to handling, while NaCl samples were used immediately after dilution. Sperm quality was assessed at 0, 30, and 60 min of exposure. HEPES significantly reduced MDA levels and improved motility and viability in both extenders. Fertility rates were highest in the HEPES-supplemented groups, especially under chilled handling. In conclusion, optimal preservation of rooster semen requires a combination of metabolic support, adequate oxygen availability, gentle mixing, and pH stabilization. While IGGKPh was effective for storage up to 24 h, its performance was further enhanced by HEPES buffer. These findings offer practical recommendations for AI programs in poultry, particularly under field conditions where temperature fluctuations and delayed insemination are common.

This study investigated the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on in vitro oocyte maturation, lipid peroxidation, and embryonic development in prepubertal and aging Thai–Holstein cows. First, we used slaughterhouse-derived oocytes to confirm that CoQ10 (50 μM) significantly enhanced cleavage (53.33% vs. 37.50%) and blastocyst formation rates (46.81% vs. 27.50%). Thereafter, oocytes were collected from four prepubertal and four aging cows via ovum pick-up and matured in vitro with or without CoQ10 supplementation. The follicular development and oocyte quality were assessed. Aging cows exhibited significantly more follicles (24.00 vs. 16.67) and greater oocyte recovery (16.67 vs. 11.67) than prepubertal cows. Additionally, CoQ10 supplementation significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels in aging cows (1.28 vs. 0.61 nmol/mL), indicating reduced lipid peroxidation. Finally, CoQ10 significantly improved cleavage rates in both age groups (prepubertal: 22.50 to 32.50%; aging: 41.71 to 65.00%) and blastocyst formation rates in aging cows (prepubertal: 17.50 to 20.00%; aging: 31.44 to 53.72%). These results suggest that CoQ10 supplementation enhances oocyte maturation and embryonic development, particularly in aging cows, likely by mitigating oxidative stress and supporting mitochondrial function. Therefore, CoQ10 may be a valuable supplement in assisted reproductive technologies for improving reproductive efficiency in cattle breeding programs.

Cooled semen storage methods result in oxidative stress generated by an imbalance between oxidation rates, specifically reactive oxygen species production, and sperm cell antioxidants, leading to degradation of semen quality. We aimed to investigate the impact of adding Eurycoma longifolia (EL) extract as an antioxidant supplement in semen storage medium (IGGKPh semen extender) on semen quality and fertility potential. EL extract at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/mL was assessed for its antioxidant capacity in IGGKPh semen extender. Our findings revealed that the total phenolic content in the EL extract did not vary significantly across the various concentrations and temperatures tested. However, incubation at 5°C was found to be the most effective temperature for increasing the EL extract antioxidant capacity as assessed via the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl inhibition assay in a dose-dependent manner. Supplementation of the IGGKPh semen extender with 15 mg/mL EL extract was found to enhance semen quality during cold storage for up to 48 h (p < 0.05), as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde levels in cooled semen (p < 0.05). However, antioxidant enzyme activities showed no significant differences among the various experimental groups (p > 0.05). The fertility test showed that the 15 mg/mL EL extract group stored for 24 h had a higher percentage than the control group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in percentage between the two groups at 48 h of storage (p > 0.05). The hatchability showed no significant difference in both 24 and 48-h storage periods (p > 0.05). Our results indicated that supplementing the IGGKPh semen extender with 15 mg/mL EL extract may positively influence semen quality during storage, suggesting potential applications for enhancing semen quality.