Enhancing post-thaw semen quality in Ongole bulls.

Introduction of artificial insemination in dairy cattle revolutionized procedures of animal reproduction over the 20th Century. Indeed AI in dairy cattle has been considered the most important technological advancement in animal breeding. During freezing the sperms of particular bulls exhibit a high sensitivity to oxidative stress resulting in inadequate post-thaw motility. Semen samples from these bulls are typically rejected or discorded and if the issue persists these valuable bulls are culled from the semen station. Reports are available regarding the enhancement of post-thaw motility of spermatozoa following addition of antioxidants in the semen of exotic and cross-bred bulls. However there are no studies regarding detailed sperm functional attributes following supplementation of antioxidants in Ongole bull semen. Hence the present study was undertaken to assess the post-thaw functional attributes in Ongole bulls with low freezability semen.