Influence and Total Antioxidant Capacity of Non-enzymatic Antioxidants on the Quality and Integrity of Extended and Cryopreserved Semen of Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is a normal physiological process; however, an imbalance between ROS generation, scavenging activity, and uncontrolled production of ROS that exceeds the antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma will lead to oxidative stress and can damage the sperm membrane integrity, DNA, acrosome, metabolic activity, and fertilizing potential of the sperm (Bansal and Bilaspuri 2010, Tariq et al. 2015). In the stages of freezing and thawing, the endogenous defense system of the buffalo semen is not enough to counter oxidative stress due to low concentration of naturally occurring antioxidants in buffalo semen (Ansari et al. 2012). Sperm viability is also decreased by 50% whereas fertilizing capacity is affected after cryopreservation (Lessard et al. 2000). However, the spermatozoa are provided with protection from oxidative damages with the