Interactive Effects of Seminal Plasma and Sonchus oleraceus L. Aqueous Extract on Post-Thaw Sperm Kinematics, Oxidative Status, and In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes in Ram Semen.
5 affiliations
- 1Laboratoire d'Appui à la Durabilité des Systèmes de Production Agricole dans la Région du Nord-Ouest, École Supérieure d'Agriculture du Kef (ESAK), Université de Jendouba, Jendouba 8189, Tunisia.
- 2School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, College Road, Leicestershire LE12 5RD, UK.
- 3Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Agency of Sardinia, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
- 4Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
- 5Ecole Supérieure d'Agriculture de Mateur, University of Carthage, Carthage 1054, Tunisia.
Abstract
This study investigated the combined effects of seminal plasma (SP) and Sonchus oleraceus L. aqueous extract on post-thaw sperm quality and fertilizing ability in rams. Semen collected from seven adult rams was pooled and divided into six experimental groups according to the presence (SP+) or absence (SP-) of SP and supplementation with 0, 0.5, or 2 g/L of Sonchus oleraceus extract. Samples were cryopreserved in a Tris-egg yolk-citric acid extender. Post-thaw sperm quality using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test, and oxidative stress biomarkers, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiols as antioxidative parameter were evaluated. Removal of SP significantly enhanced several kinematic parameters (VCL, ALH, DCL) and reduced abnormal morphology (p < 0.05), whereas its presence improved motion quality indicators such as beat cross frequency (BCF), linearity (LIN), and straightness (STR) (p < 0.05). However, SP removal induced a marked oxidative imbalance, characterized by increased ROS and MDA levels and decreased total thiols (p < 0.001). Supplementation with S. oleraceus extract improved membrane integrity and restored redox balance by increasing thiols levels (p = 0.0001) and reducing lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001), with significant SP × dose interactions. Based on these results, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed only using SP+ groups, as the presence of SP ensured a more physiologically relevant environment and maintained oxidative balance necessary for fertilization. No significant differences were detected in cleavage or blastocyst rates among the three S. oleraceus extract doses. These findings highlight an interaction between SP and Sonchus oleraceus aqueous extract, suggesting that combining endogenous protein-rich components with exogenous plant-derived antioxidants may enhance post-thaw sperm functionality and its oxidative status in rams.
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BibTeX
@article{derbali2026interactive,
title = {{Interactive Effects of Seminal Plasma and Sonchus oleraceus L. Aqueous Extract on Post-Thaw Sperm Kinematics, Oxidative Status, and In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes in Ram Semen.}},
author = {Hela Derbali and Wijden Niama and Mohammedreza Ebrahimi and Sihem Amiri and Fabrizio Chessa and Ignazio Cossu and Valeria Pasciu and Francesca Daniela Sotgiu and Fiammetta Berlinguer and Maria Dattena and Mokhtar Mahouachi and Samia Ben Saïd and Laura Mara},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/ani16193042},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883011},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Interactive Effects of Seminal Plasma and Sonchus oleraceus L. Aqueous Extract on Post-Thaw Sperm Kinematics, Oxidative Status, and In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes in Ram Semen.
AU - Hela Derbali
AU - Wijden Niama
AU - Mohammedreza Ebrahimi
AU - Sihem Amiri
AU - Fabrizio Chessa
AU - Ignazio Cossu
AU - Valeria Pasciu
AU - Francesca Daniela Sotgiu
AU - Fiammetta Berlinguer
AU - Maria Dattena
AU - Mokhtar Mahouachi
AU - Samia Ben Saïd
AU - Laura Mara
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/27
JO - Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
DO - 10.3390/ani16193042
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42883011
AB - This study investigated the combined effects of seminal plasma (SP) and Sonchus oleraceus L. aqueous extract on post-thaw sperm quality and fertilizing ability in rams. Semen collected from seven adult rams was pooled and divided into six experimental groups according to the presence (SP+) or absence (SP-) of SP and supplementation with 0, 0.5, or 2 g/L of Sonchus oleraceus extract. Samples were cryopreserved in a Tris-egg yolk-citric acid extender. Post-thaw sperm quality using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), hypo-osmotic swelling (HOS) test, and oxidative stress biomarkers, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total thiols as antioxidative parameter were evaluated. Removal of SP significantly enhanced several kinematic parameters (VCL, ALH, DCL) and reduced abnormal morphology (p < 0.05), whereas its presence improved motion quality indicators such as beat cross frequency (BCF), linearity (LIN), and straightness (STR) (p < 0.05). However, SP removal induced a marked oxidative imbalance, characterized by increased ROS and MDA levels and decreased total thiols (p < 0.001). Supplementation with S. oleraceus extract improved membrane integrity and restored redox balance by increasing thiols levels (p = 0.0001) and reducing lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001), with significant SP × dose interactions. Based on these results, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed only using SP+ groups, as the presence of SP ensured a more physiologically relevant environment and maintained oxidative balance necessary for fertilization. No significant differences were detected in cleavage or blastocyst rates among the three S. oleraceus extract doses. These findings highlight an interaction between SP and Sonchus oleraceus aqueous extract, suggesting that combining endogenous protein-rich components with exogenous plant-derived antioxidants may enhance post-thaw sperm functionality and its oxidative status in rams.
SN - 2076-2615
ER -