Efficient liquid storage of turkey semen is critical for artificial insemination, but its use is limited by bacteriospermia and oxidative damage. This study evaluated the effects of gentamicin supplementation in Glutac and Sperm Motility Medium (SMM) on bacterial load and sperm quality after 2 and 24 h of liquid storage. Semen from turkeys (n = 40) was assessed for motility, viability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial and metabolic activity, oxidative profile, apoptosis, DNA integrity, and microbiological status. The sperm motility and kinematic parameters declined significantly after 24 h in all the groups. However, both extenders (particularly SMM) maintained significantly higher motility than the untreated control. Gentamicin further improved the motility, viability, and plasma membrane and acrosome integrity. The mitochondrial activity and mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly higher in the extender-treated groups than in the controls at 2 and 24 h, whereas the superoxide and total ROS production were significantly higher in the controls. The total antioxidant capacity declined markedly in the untreated controls, especially after 24 h. Gentamicin significantly reduced bacterial load, most effectively in SMM, and decreased DNA fragmentation compared with the untreated controls. In conclusion, gentamicin supplementation—particularly in SMM—reduces bacteriospermia and oxidative stress while preserving turkey sperm quality during liquid storage.
Benko et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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