Effect of antioxidants on cryopreserved Black Sea turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) spermatozoa quality and DNA damage

The effects of several antioxidants added to cryopreservation extender on turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) sperm post-thaw motility, fertilization, sperm characteristics, and DNA damage were investigated. The following antioxidants were used in conjunction with the conventional extenders: rosmarinic acid (RA) (25, 50, and 100 µg/mL); uric acid (UA) (25, 50, and 100 µg/mL); and taurine (TA) (25, 50, and 100 µg/mL). On sperm samples that had been diluted by the extenders at a 1:9 ratio, cryopreservation was carried out. The results demonstrated that the post-thaw motility of sperm was higher in 25 µg/mL RA (77.41±2.90 %), followed by 50 µg/mL RA (74.86±3.2 %), 50 and 100 µg/mL UA (69.56±3.30 % and 70.74±2.51 %, respectively) which significantly differentiated from conventional extender. The highest hatching rate (70.67±4.67 %) was attained at UA 50 µg/mL, while the highest fertilization rate (81.67±2.52 %) was observed in RA 25 µg/mL. At UA 50 µg/mL, the DNA fragmentation rate was lowest (5.07±1.57 %). In conclusion, antioxidants had a protective impact on sperm of turbot that had been frozen and thawed.