Activity of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase and lipid peroxidation intensity in stallion semen during storage at 5 °C

Sperm cell membranes are susceptible to peroxidative damage by an excess of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Antioxidative defence systems consisting of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) physiologically control the balance between ROS production and neutralization. In the present study the hypothesis was tested that lipid peroxidation occurs during storage of semen at 5 °C and that semen extender has positive effects on the antioxidative potential of equine semen. The aim of the study was to determine the activity of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as an indicator of lipid peroxidation in native semen and after addition of extender, cooling and storage. Semen was collected from fertile Shetland stallions. In experiment 1, activity of antioxidative enzymes was determined immediately after semen collection and after 24 h storage at 5 °C. Enzyme activities were measured in native semen, semen diluted with semen extender, spermatozoa resuspended after centrifugation in extender and 0.9% NaCl as well as in undiluted and extender-diluted seminal plasma. In experiment 2, TBARS concentrations were analysed during storage of semen at 5 °C for 24 h. Semen storage for 24 h at 5 °C did not change activity of the examined enzymes. Antioxidative activity was significantly higher in extended than in native semen as well as in extended plasma than in undiluted plasma. In conclusion, the addition of semen extender increases the antioxidative activity in seminal plasma of stallions. Basal antioxidative activity in native semen as well as increased activity in extended semen are maintained over 24 h storage at 5 °C. TBARS content did not increase during semen storage. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation does not increase substantially during semen storage. The enzymatic antioxidative activity in semen apparently prevents ROS formation and is further increased by addition of semen extender.