In vitro study on influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles on seminal attributes of chilled canine semen

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of zinc oxide nanoparticles in preserving canine semen in chilled temperature and to evaluate the optimal concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles supplemented to an extender for refrigerated canine semen. Canine semen collected manually was evaluated and then diluted in Tris-egg yolk-citrate-fructose (TEYF) extender at 1:4 dilution rate, with different concentrations of zinc oxide nanoparticles (50 mcg/ml, 75 mcg/ml and 100 mcg/ml of extender) and a control (0mcg/ml). Diluted samples were refrigerated at 5 ℃ and stored for seven days. Extended chilled canine semen was evaluated for progressive motility, viability, morphological abnormality, plasma membrane integrity and DNA integrity on 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. Supplementing zinc oxide nanoparticles to extender showed significantly improved progressive motility at 100mcg/ml zinc oxide nanoparticles across a study period of 7 days, compared to the control, 50 and 75 mcg/ml. Viability, Plasma membrane integrity and DNA integrity were significantly enhanced at 75 and 100mcg/ml zinc oxide nanoparticles. Morphological abnormalities were significantly reduced when the extender was supplemented with 75 and 100 mcg/ml zinc oxide nanoparticles. In conclusion, canine semen extender supplemented with zinc oxide nanoparticles improve seminal attributes preserved at refrigeration temperatures.