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 study was to evaluate the effect of addition of cactus seed oil (CSO) on a Tris egg yolk (TEY) and skim milk (SM) extenders, on the sperm quality parameters in ram semen chilled for 72 h. Semen collected from five adult fertile Boujaâd rams was pooled and diluted to a final concentration of 0.8 × 109 spermatozoa/ml in TEY and SM extenders supplemented with CSO at 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10% v/v. Semen was 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 of storage. Results showed that the supplementation of TEY and SM extenders with 1% and 2% CSO, respectively contributed to enhance sperm motility and viability and decreased levels of peroxidation and DNA fragmentation during storage. Therefore, we conclude that the optimal concentration of CSO in ram semen extender is 1% and 2%. In addition, our results suggest that CSO in these concentrations can help to maintain ram semen quality during chilled storage