Zinc oxide nanoparticles supplementation improve the quality and lipid profiles of frozen boar semen

Oxidative stress frequently compromises the quality of frozen-thawed sperm. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have demonstrated antioxidant effects on frozen semen from species such as goats, camels, and buffaloes; however, their impact on boar semen remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of ZnONPs supplementation in cryopreservation extenders (0, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/ml) on the frozen-thawed semen of Huoshou black boars. Compared with the control, the 0.1 mg/ml ZnONPs group significantly improved sperm motility and kinematic parameters after 0 and 1 h of incubation at 37 °C ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, this group exhibited significantly greater sperm viability, plasma membrane integrity, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), along with lower reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels ( P < 0.05). Lipidomic analysis revealed 74 differentially expressed lipids in positive ion mode (8 upregulated and 66 downregulated) in the ZnONPs-supplemented group. These findings indicate that supplementation with 0.1 mg/ml ZnONPs improves the cryopreservation outcomes of boar semen.