Improvements of ram semen quality using cactus seed oil during liquid preservation in Tris egg yolk and skim milk based extenders

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of cactus seed oil (CSO) on ram semen quality parameters during liquid storage. Semen samples collected from five adult fertile Boujaâd rams were pooled and diluted to a final concentration of 0.8 × 109 spermatozoa/ml in Tris egg yolk (TEY) and skim milk (SM) extenders supplemented with CSO at 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% v/v. The samples were then stored at 5 °C and several sperm parameters (motility, viability, morphology, peroxidation and DNA fragmentation) were assessed after 8, 24, 48 and 72 h. Results showed that the supplementation of TEY and SM extenders with 1% and 2% CSO, respectively, increased sperm motility and viability and decreased the level of peroxidation and DNA fragmentation during storage. Therefore, we concluded that 1% and 2% CSO are the optimal concentrations that can help to improve ram semen quality during storage at 5 °C.