Effect of ascorbic acid on metabolic status, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and quality of frozen Indian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) semen.

The Indian red jungle fowl population is decreasing in its natural habitat. Its conservation through semen cryopreservation with sufficient live sperm recovery rate is requisite where ascorbic acid could play significant role to mitigate cryo-incited injuries. The objective was to elucidate the effect of ascorbic acid on freezability of Indian red jungle fowl sperm. Pooled semen was aliquoted and diluted (1:5) with red fowl extender having ascorbic acid: 0.0mM (control), 1.0mM, 2.0mM and 4.0mM. Diluted samples were cryopreserved and semen quality was assessed at post-dilution, cooling, equilibration, and freeze-thawing stage. Sperm metabolic status, antioxidant potential and lipid peroxidation was studied at post-dilution and freeze thawing. Sperm motility did not differ (P>0.05) in experimental extenders and control at post-dilution and cooling, however it was higher (P<0.05) with ascorbic acid at 2.0mM compared to other levels at post-equilibration and post-thawing. Sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosome intactness was higher (P<0.05) with 2.0mM ascorbic acid compared to other aliquots at all stages. Sperm metabolic status and antioxidant potential were recorded higher (P<0.05), while lipid peroxidation was lowest (P<0.05) with 2.0mM ascorbic acid compared to 1.0mM, 4.0mM, control. In conclusion, ascorbic acid at 2.0mM in red fowl extender improves quality, metabolic status and antioxidant potential of frozen Indian red jungle fowl semen through ameliorating lipid peroxidation.