Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extract on Quality of Preserved Boar Semen

Background: Moringa leaf extract (MLE) is one of the natural ingredients that can improve the quality of preserved semen by preventing sperm lipid oxidation and increase the sperm storage time. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves extract on boar semen quality during short-term preservation at liquid state. Methods: Four mature healthy Large White Yorkshire boars of about 1.5-2 years age group having good reproductive health was selected for the study. Ten ejaculates were collected from each boar. Each ejaculate was divided into 4 aliquots (equal volume and sperm concentration) and Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MLE) @ 0 µg/ml (control), 100 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml w/v was mixed in each aliquot after extension of semen samples with beltsville thaw solution (BTS) extender. The semen was evaluated for initial motility, percent live sperm, sperm abnormalities, sperm membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity and level of lipid peroxidation. Ten gilts/sows were artificially inseminated in each group with the liquid preserved semen to record the conception rates and litter size. Result: The percent sperm motility, live sperm, plasma membrane integrity and acrosomal integrity of boar spermatozoa were decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) while preserving the semen sample by using BTS extenders along with 100 µg/ml,200 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract at 18°C for 48 hours. The mean percent of motile sperm, live sperm, intact plasma membrane, intact acrosome among the groups i.e., 100 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract were increased significantly (P less than 0.01) as compared to control at 24 and 48 hours of preservation. The mean percentage of sperm abnormalities and lipid peroxidation among the groups i.e., 100 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract were increased significantly (P less than 0.05) at 0, 24 and 48 (P less than 0.01) at hours of preservation as compared to control group. The supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaves extract in BTS extender at concentration of 100 µg/ml, 200 µg/ml and 300 µg/ml significantly improved the Large White Yorkshire boar’s semen quality during short term preservation at 18°C as compared to control. The conception rate and average litter size at birth among the groups were increased significantly (P less than 0.01) as compared to control (C). The significantly (P less than 0.01) higher conception rate and litter size at birth was recorded in T3 group i.e. 300 µg/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract supplemented semen. In conclusion, the concentration of 300 µg/ml Moringa oleifera leaves extract was found to be better among other concentrations.