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Abstract Melatonin is an intracellular antioxidant of sperm membrane that protects the cells from lipid peroxidation. Yet, its role as an antioxidant on semen quality of buffalo bulls is still obscure. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of exogenous melatonin implant (18 mg/50 kg bodyweight) on post‐thaw sperm characteristics, oxidative stress, endocrinological profiles and fertility of buffalo bulls. Six apparently healthy breeding Murrah buffalo bulls were randomly selected at bull farm, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University for the present study and divided into two groups viz. control ( n = 3) and melatonin implanted group ( n = 3). A total of 120 ejaculates were collected from bulls of both groups ( n = 60 each) throughout the study period. Most beneficial effects of melatonin implants were observed during post‐implantation period. The percentages of post‐thaw sperm total and progressive motility, viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were higher ( p .05) in plasma LH concentrations were observed in both groups. First service pregnancy rate was 43.3% using semen of melatonin implanted bulls and 30.0% with semen of controls ( p > .05). Thus, melatonin was able to protect sperm membrane against oxidative damage and improve post‐thaw semen quality, thereby resulting in higher fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.
Grover et al. (Mon,) studied this question.