Rhodiola sacra aqueous extract (RSAE) improves biochemical and sperm characteristics in cryopreserved boar semen

Although Rhodiola sacra aqueous extract (RSAE) has been used in many studies as an antioxidant, its effects on semen characteristics and its antioxidant properties during cryopreservation of boar sperm have never been evaluated. Semen was collected from five Duroc boars (2-4-year-old) twice weekly and frozen-thawed in extender with RSEA. Motion characteristics were assessed with a computer-aided semen analysis (CASA) system, whereas other sperm quality end points were assessed by routine methods. The effective concentration of RSEA in extender ranged from 4 to 8 mg/L and the effect of RSEA on sperm quality was better in glycerol-free extender than extender containing glycerol (P < 0.05). In frozen-thawed boar semen, there was a direct correlation (P < 0.05) between RSEA concentration and glutathione (GSH) concentrations, mitochondrial activity, and hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST), and an inverse correlation (r = −0.982, P < 0.05) between RSEA concentration and malondialdehyde (all end points were significantly higher at 6 mg/L than in the control group). In summary: (i) the effective concentration of RSEA in extender ranged from 4 to 8 mg/L; (ii) the effect of RSEA on sperm quality was better in extender without glycerol; and (iii) there was a significant correlation between RSEA concentrations and concentrations of GSH and MAD in frozen-thawed boar semen (antioxidant effects of RSEA were concentration-dependent). Further studies are needed to define the active ingredient in RSEA that protects boar sperm against ROS.