In this study, we designed this experiment to investigate the effect of adding Origanum Majorana extract (O.M.) in the ram semen at cooling, the experimental groups were divided into four groups (P1=1 mg O.M. raw powder and extender, P2= 2 mg O.M. raw powder and extender, O1 group= 1 mg O.M. oil and extender, O2 group= 2 mg O.M. oil and extender and the control only extender. The sperm motility, pH level, malonaldehyde level (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were investigated post-preservation (5ᵒ C) at 0, 72 hours of cooling, and after thirty days post-cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen. The P2 group showed a high effect (P≤0.01) on the motility of sperm at different times of cooling and post-cryopreservation. The pH level increased significantly in the group O2 compared with other groups. We investigated the MDA level by thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBAR) methods, however, 2, 2 – Diphenyl - 1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was used to estimate the TAC of seminal plasma depending on the absorbance. The P1, P2, O1, and O2 groups recorded a highly significant (P≤0.01) decrease in seminal MDA level. The P1, P2, O1, and O2 groups recorded a highly significant (P≤0.01) decrease in seminal MDA level. On the other hand, the results suggested a higher TAC increase for all groups than the control at different times of cooling and post-cryopreservation. In conclusion, adding 2 mg of O.M. powder extract increases sperm motility at the storage, and the pH level increased by adding 2 mg O.M. oil to the diluted semen, O.M. powder or oil which is added to diluted semen leads to decreased MDA and increased TAC levels.
Keywords | Chemical parameters, Cryopreservation, Origanum majorana, Ram semen, Sperm motility, Cooling storage