Evaluation of the efficacy of different semen extenders for chilled storage of Aseel rooster sperm

Semen extenders are pivotal in maintaining the integrity and quality of avian sperm throughout the storage period. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of three commonly used extenders, Lake (LAKE), Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE), and EK extender, in the storage of Aseel rooster semen at 5°C for 48 hours. The control group was provided with Lactated Ringer's solution. Spermatological analyses were conducted at 0, 24, and 48 hours to evaluate the time-dependent effects of these extenders on sperm motility, viability, morphological changes, mitochondrial function, membrane functionality, and both acrosome and plasma membrane integrity in sperm cells. The results indicated that the BPSE and EK extenders exhibited higher total and progressive motility rates compared to the control and LAKE extenders at 24 and 48 hours. Additionally, morphological damage rates were lower in the EK and BPSE extenders than in the LAKE extender at these time points. Mitochondrial activity was higher in the EK extender than in the LAKE extender at 24 hours. Acrosome integrity and plasma membrane integrity rates declined over time; however, they remained similar among all groups at corresponding time points. In conclusion, BPSE and EK extenders, characterized by higher fructose content and greater osmolality, were found to be more effective in preserving the sperm quality of Aseel rooster semen during cold storage compared to the LAKE extender.