China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (8): 3726-3733.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2025.08.021

• Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles    

Effect of Melatonin on the Sperm Motility and Enzyme Levels of Cryopreserved Semen in Blue Foxes

SHANG Nianpeng1, SHI Yingqiu2, HAN Huansheng1, WEI Lai2, PENG Xinyu1, WANG Jiyuan1, GUO Fengkai1, SUN Yile3, GAI Guanghui4, SUN Liying4   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China;
    2. Harbin Hualong Feed Development Co., Ltd., Harbin 150078, China;
    3. Tarim University, Aral 843300, China;
    4. Inner Mongolia Forestry Industry GroupCo., Ltd., Genhe 021000, China
  • Received:2024-11-07 Published:2025-08-02

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Abstract: 【Objective】 The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on sperm motility and enzymatic levels of Blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) semen during cryopreservation,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the application of melatonin in semen cryopreservation. 【Method】 Semen samples were collected from nine healthy male Blue foxes.After quality assessment,the samples were pooled and divided into six groups:A fresh semen control group (non-cryopreserved) and five melatonin (MT) concentration gradient cryopreservation treatment groups (0,0.05,0.1,0.15,and 0.2 mmol/L).The fresh semen control group was diluted at a 1∶9 ratio and directly analyzed.Each MT freezing treatment group was supplemented with the corresponding MT concentration in an equivalent dilution medium prior to cryopreservation.Post-thaw,parameters including sperm viability,wobble (WOB),beat cross frequency (BCF),and the activities of mitochondrial,antioxidant enzyme activity,and acrosomal enzyme were evaluated. 【Result】 The partial indices in MT freezing treatment group were significantly lower than those in fresh sperm group (P＜0.05).In terms of motility,the sperm viability,WOB,BCF,average path velocity (VAP),curvilinear velocity (VCL),and straight line velocity (VSL) of Blue foxes in 0.05 mmol/L MT group were significantly higher than those in other MT freezing treatment groups (P＜0.05).In terms of energy metabolism,the ATP content and Complex Ⅰ activity of of Blue foxes sperm in 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/L MT groups were significantly higher than those in 0 and 0.2 mmol/L MT groups (P＜0.05).In terms of oxidative stress,the ROS activity of Blue foxes sperm in 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/L MT groups was significantly lower than that in 0 and 0.15 mmol/L groups (P＜0.05).The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD),catalase (CAT),and heme oxygenase (HO) of Blue foxes sperm in 0.05 mmol/L MT group were significantly higher than those in 0,0.15 and 0.2 mmol/L MT groups (P＜0.05).In terms of fertilization ability,the activities of esterase,acrosin and HAase of Blue foxes sperm in 0.05 and 0.1 mmol/L MT groups were significantly higher than those in other MT freezing treatment groups (P＜0.05). 【Conclusion】 Under the conditions of this experiment,adding an appropriate amount of MT to the frozen diluent of semen in Blue foxes could effectively improve the sperm motility,antioxidant capacity and fertilization ability of frozen sperm,with 0.05 mmol/L as the optimal concentration.

Key words: Blue foxes; melatonin; cryopreserved semen; enzyme levels; motility

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