• Leptin and carnosic acid improve the sperm parameters of Sanjabi ram semen during liquid storage
  • Sara Jalili Barazandeh,1,* Hamed Karami Shabankareh,2 Hadi Hajarian,3 Mustafa Numan Bucak,4 Alireza Abdolmoahammadi,5
    1. Razi University, Faculty of agricultural and engineering science, Department of animal science, Kermanshah, Iran
    2. Razi University, Faculty of agricultural and engineering science, Department of animal science, Kermanshah, Iran
    3. Razi University, Faculty of agricultural and engineering science, Department of animal science, Kermanshah, Iran
    4. Selcuk University, Veterinary Faculty, Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Konya, Turkey
    5. Razi University, Faculty of agricultural and engineering science, Department of animal science, Kermanshah, Iran


  • Introduction: The widespread dissemination of semen from a small number of ram with superior genetic merit to distant areas, for the purpose of inseminating a large number of ewes, requires conservation of semen. Two major systems of liquid and frozen storage have been developed for conservation. The current study was carried out to evaluated the protective effects of leptin and carnosic acid and their combination toward the quality of ram semen during storage at 5 ◦C for periods up to 72 h
  • Methods: Semen samples were obtained from four rams using artificial vagina during normal reproduction season, and then diluted and supplemented with 0 (control), leptin (L1: 10 & L2: 100 ng), carnosic acid (C1: 0.1 & C2: 0.4 mM) and their combination (mix1: L 10 ng & C 0.1 mM, mix2: L 10 ng & C 0.4 mM, mix3: L 100 ng & C 0.1 mM and mix4: L 100 ng & C 0.4 mM)
  • Results: Our results showed that leptin and carnosic acid alone and mix2 led to higher motility. After 24 and 48 h, the higher viability was observed in samples treated with leptin and carnosic acid alone. The higher membrane functionalities were observed in L1, L2, C1, C2 and mix2 at 24, 48 and 72 h. Lower sperm abnormalities were observable in L1, C1, mix3 at 24 and 48 h and L1, L2, C1, C2, mix1, mix3 at 72 h (P < 0.05).
  • Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that supplementing semen extender with either leptin or carnosic acid alone can improve semen preservation via increasing motility, viability, membrane functionality and decreasing sperm abnormality
  • Keywords: Liquid storage, Leptin, Carnosic acid