Influence of taurine on the integrity of the plasma membrane and acrosomes in eytc-diluted cattle bull semen

Abstract

The present investigation on influence of taurine on the integrity of the plasma membrane and acrosomes in EYTC (egg yolk tris citrate) diluted cattle bull semen was undertaken at Frozen Semen Bull Station, Karimnagar, Telangana. The study was carried out on four types of cattle breeds (3 to 5 years of age) viz., Gir, Ongole, Jersey and CBJY (Cross bred Jersey). Semen was collected using artificial vagina method twice weekly from each of the bulls and a total of 32 ejaculates were used. The semen was diluted with EYTC extender and taurine as additive and was evaluated for physical characteristics of neat semen, sperm viability percentage, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages of cryopreservation using different taurine concentrations viz., 25 mM (milli Molar) taurine, 50 mM taurine, 100 mM taurine and control. The present experiment results revealed that addition of taurine at 50 mM of concentration, significantly (p<0.05) improved sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity at both pre freeze and post thaw stages of cryopreservation.