Synthesis and molecular structure exploration of novel piperidin-4-one imine derivatives combined with DFT and X-ray: A new class of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Inflammation is one of the pertinent responses of the body, depending mainly on the process and factors involved in combating the oxidative species produced either by any infection or failure of the antioxidant pathways. In search of new compounds to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity here, we have successfully reported the synthesis of three novel compounds of Piperidin-4-one skeleton by adopting simple and convenient methods. Compound 1, (3, 3-dimethyl-2, 6-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) piperidin-4-one) was synthesized by one-pot Mannich condensation reaction having good yield (88 %). Furthermore in the next step highly functionalized imine derivatives, Compound 2 (3,3-dimethyl-2,6-bis (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) piperidine-4-one) hydrazine carbothioamide) and Compound 3 (3,3-dimethyl-2,6-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) piperidin-4-one oxime) were prepared by the condensation reaction with thiosemicarbazide and hydroxylamine hydrochloride with compound 1, respectively. The structure of the compounds has been deduced by the combined use of modern spectroscopic and single crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. in-silico ADMET studies predict pharmacokinetic properties and showed that compounds are non toxic on vital organs. The optimized geometry and reactivity parameters of compounds were further calculated based on the B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) density functional theory (DFT). The negative values of chemical potential follow the trend as 2 (-0.2101) > 3 (-0.2198) > 1(-0.2233) signifies that all compounds are reactive in nature as evident from in-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response were determined by using the DDPH assay and protein denaturation methods respectively. Compounds possess good radical scavenging activity having IC 50 values 30.392 µM (2), 37.802 (1) µM, and 72.285 (3) µM, and anti-inflammatory response in same manner indicating that 2 (71.3 %) is more active than compound 1 (43.5 %) and 3 (39.3 %) marking them as a potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents.

Prediction of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull fertility through Fourier harmonic analysis of sperm.

Fourier harmonic analysis (FHA) is a robust method for identification of minute changes in sperm nuclear shape that are indicative of reduced fertility. The current study was designed to develop a fertility prediction model for Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls through FHA of sperm. In experiment I, FHA technique was standardized, average sperm nuclear perimeter was measured and sperm nuclear shape plot of buffalo bull was constructed. Sperm of buffalo bulls (n = 10) were stained with YOYO-1 and Hoechst-33342 to differentiate live and dead, and digital images were captured using phase contrast and fluorescent microscopy. The images were analyzed by ImageJ software and 100 sperm/bull were evaluated. The results are described as mean ± SEM values of mean harmonic amplitude (mharm), skewness harmonic amplitude (skharm), kurtosis harmonic amplitude (kurharm) and variance harmonic amplitude (varharm) at Fourier frequencies 0-5 along with the cartesian and polar coordinate plots of buffalo bull sperm. In experiment II, a fertility prediction model was developed based on FHA of buffalo bull sperm. Semen samples of low (n = 6), medium (n = 3) and high (n = 8) fertility bulls were investigated for FHA of sperm and harmonic amplitudes (HA) were generated. Firstly, to determine if live and dead sperm population have unique nuclear shape distribution; the mean, skewness, kurtosis and variance HA 0-5 of 1700 live and 1294 dead spermatozoa of 17 bulls were evaluated. T-test signified a difference in the mharm0 (2.363 ± 0.01 vs. 2.439 ± 0.02), skharm0 (-0.0002 ± 0.07 vs. -0.266 ± 0.09), kurharm0 (-0.156 ± 0.07 vs. 0.260 ± 0.18), kurharm2 (0.142 ± 0.11 vs. 1.031 ± 0.32) and varharm4 (0.109 ± 0.00 vs. 0.082 ± 0.00) of live vs. dead sperm population (p < 0.05). Therefore, 100 live sperm/bull were further evaluated for mean, skewness, kurtosis and variance HA 0-5 values among high (n = 6) and low-fertility (n = 6) groups. Results of T-test showed higher values of mharm2 (0.739 ± 0.01 vs. 0.686 ± 0.00), mharm4 (0.105 ± 0.001 vs. 0.007 ± 0.001), and skharm0 (0.214 ± 0.109 vs. -0.244 ± 0.097) in high vs. low-fertility group (p < 0.05). In next step, five significantly different combinations of discriminant measures between high and low-fertility groups were obtained by discriminant analysis. In conclusion, mharm4, skharm0 and varharm2 correctly identified 91.7 % of bulls into their respective fertility groups, and upon cross validation the value of the canonical correlation was 0.928.

Influence of Bacterial Contamination and Antibiotic Sensitivity on Cryopreserved Sperm Quality of Indian Red Jungle Fowl.

Aims: Bacterial contamination may occur in feces during collection and processing of semen. Bacteria not only compete for nutrients with spermatozoa but also produce toxic metabolites and endotoxins and affect sperm quality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of antibiotic supplementation on the sperm quality of Indian red jungle fowl, estimation and isolation of bacterial species and their antibiotic sensitivity. Materials and Methods: Semen was collected and initially evaluated, diluted, and divided into six experimental extenders containing gentamicin (2.5 µg/mL), kanamycin (31.2 µg/mL), neomycin (62.5 mg/mL), penicillin (200 U/mL), and streptomycin (250 µg/mL), and a control having no antibiotics were cryopreserved and semen quality was evaluated at post-dilution, post-cooling, post-equilibration, and post-thawing stages (Experiment 1). A total aerobic bacterial count was carried out after culturing bacteria (Experiment 2) and subcultured for antibiotic sensitivity (Experiment 3). Results: It was shown that penicillin-containing extender improved semen quality (sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, and acrosomal integrity) compared with the control and other extenders having antibiotics. The bacteria isolated from semen were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. Antibiotic sensitivity results revealed that E. coli shows high sensitivity toward neomycin, kanamycin, and penicillin. Staphylococcus spp. shows high sensitivity toward streptomycin, neomycin, and penicillin. Bacillus spp. shows high sensitivity toward kanamycin and penicillin. Conclusions: It was concluded that antibiotics added to semen extender did not cause any toxicity and maintained semen quality as that of untreated control samples, and penicillin was identified as most effective antibiotic. It is recommended that penicillin can be added to the semen extender for control of bacterial contamination without affecting the semen quality of Indian red jungle fowl.

The Effect of Adding Different Levels of Reduced Glutathione to Extender on the Quality of Cooled Ring-Necked Pheasant Semen.

Aim: Artificial propagation of ring-necked pheasant through semen preservation is of significance, as this species is facing enormous threats in its natural habitat. Semen preservation inevitably induces oxidative stress, and exogenous antioxidants need to be investigated for the preservation of ring-necked pheasant semen. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the role of glutathione (GSH) in extender on the liquid storage of ring-necked pheasant semen. Materials and Methods: Semen was collected from 10 sexually mature males, evaluated for sperm motility, and pooled. Pooled semen was aliquoted for dilution with Beltsville poultry semen extender (1:5) at 37°C having GSH levels of 0.0 mM (Control), 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 mM. Extended semen was gradually cooled to 4°C and stored in a refrigerator (4°C) for 48 hours. Semen quality, that is, sperm motility, membrane integrity, viability, acrosomal integrity, and DNA integrity, was assessed at 0, 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours. Results: Sperm motility (%), plasma membrane integrity (%), viability (%), and acrosomal integrity (%) were recorded higher (p < 0.05), whereas DNA fragmentation (%) was recorded lower in extender supplemented with 0.4 mM GSH up to 48 hours of storage compared with 0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 mM GSH concentrations and control. Conclusion: It is concluded that 0.4 mM GSH in extender improves sperm quality parameters of ring-necked pheasant during liquid storage up to 48 hours at 4°C.

Negative psychological and educational impacts of Corona Virus Anxiety on Chinese university students: Exploring university students' perceptions.

COVID-19 has greatly affected various aspects of societies worldwide, including the mental health and quality of education for students. Different studies investigated the consequences of the pandemic, but only a few studies have addressed the negative psychological and educational impacts of Corona Virus Anxiety (CVA). This study addresses the effects of CVA on Chinese students and explores university perceptions of its consequences. A mixed-methods research design was used, with 440 university students selected through convenience sampling. The researchers used the CVA scale, generalized anxiety scale, mental health questionnaire, and a self-report scale to assess the students' educational attainment. In addition, 14 students were interviewed for the qualitative phase of the study. Data from the quantitative phase were analyzed using Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics, while content analysis techniques were employed for analyzing the qualitative data. Results showed that CVA is negatively associated with students' anxiety, stress, and depression. Furthermore, stress, anxiety, depression, and CVA were found to be negatively associated with students' GPAs. Qualitative findings revealed that CVA negatively affected students' GPAs, research projects, classroom engagement, and graduations. The findings are theoretically and practically important to universities, schools, and educational centers to avoid the effects of the CVA on students' educational attainment and mental health through appropriate planning and providing facilities to the students during the lockdown.

Effect of ascorbic acid on metabolic status, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity and quality of frozen Indian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) semen.

The Indian red jungle fowl population is decreasing in its natural habitat. Its conservation through semen cryopreservation with sufficient live sperm recovery rate is requisite where ascorbic acid could play significant role to mitigate cryo-incited injuries. The objective was to elucidate the effect of ascorbic acid on freezability of Indian red jungle fowl sperm. Pooled semen was aliquoted and diluted (1:5) with red fowl extender having ascorbic acid: 0.0 (control), 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mM. Diluted samples were cryopreserved and semen quality was assessed at post-dilution, cooling, equilibration and freeze-thawing stages. Sperm metabolic status, antioxidant potential and lipid peroxidation were studied at post-dilution and freeze-thawing. Sperm motility did not differ (p > .05) in experimental extenders and control at post-dilution and cooling; however, it was recorded higher (p < .05) with ascorbic acid at 2.0 mM compared with other levels at post-equilibration and post-thawing stage. Sperm viability, plasma membrane and acrosome intactness were recorded higher (p < .05) with 2.0 mM ascorbic acid compared with other concentrations of ascorbic acid at all stages of cryopreservation. Sperm metabolic status and antioxidant potential were recorded higher (p < .05), while lipid peroxidation was recorded lowest (p < .05) with 2.0 mM ascorbic acid compared with 1.0, 4.0 mM and control. In conclusion, ascorbic acid at 2.0 mM in red fowl extender improves quality, metabolic status and antioxidant potential of frozen Indian red jungle fowl semen through ameliorating lipid peroxidation.

Role of geopolitical risk, currency fluctuation, and economic policy on tourist arrivals: temporal analysis of BRICS economies.

The tourism industry is vulnerable to a range of economic and political factors, which can have both short-term and long-term impacts on tourist arrivals. The study aims to investigate the temporal dynamics of these factors and their impact on tourist arrivals. The method employed is a panel data regression analysis, using data from BRICS economies over a period of 1980-2020. The dependent variable is the number of tourist arrivals, while the independent variables are geopolitical risk, currency fluctuation, and economic policy. Control variables such as GDP, exchange rate, and distance to major tourist destinations are also included. The results show that geopolitical risk and currency fluctuation have a significant negative impact on tourist arrivals, while economic policy has a positive impact. The study also finds that the impact of geopolitical risk is stronger in the short term, while the impact of economic policy is stronger in the long term. Additionally, the study shows that the effects of these factors on tourist arrivals vary across BRICS countries. The policy implications of this study suggest that BRICS economies need to develop proactive economic policies that promote stability and encourage investment in the tourism industry.

Evaluation of carboxylated poly-l-lysine for cryopreservation of Labeo rohita sperm.

Carboxylated poly-l-lysine (CPLL) is an anti-freeze agent having pronounced non-permeating yet membrane stabilizing cryoprotective capabilities. The objective was to evaluate the CPLL supplementation in extender in terms of post-thaw quality (sperm), total anti-oxidant activity (milt) and fertilization potential of cryopreserved Labeo rohita sperm. For this purpose, male brood fish reared at a fish seed hatchery, Rawal Town Islamabad, Pakistan were captured from different rearing ponds and acclimatized in hatchery ponds for 6 h. The brooder was injected with Ovaprim (0.2 mL/kg), and milt was collected after 8 h in cooled sterilized falcon tubes, maintained at 4°C and evaluated for sperm motility. The milt collected from three brooders (n = 3) was diluted in extenders viz., modified Kurokura-2 extender having 10% methanol (control); experimental extenders with CPLL supplementation at the rate of 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%. Diluted milt was filled in 0.5 mL straws, exposed to liquid nitrogen vapours and cryopreserved. Cryopreserved milt was thawed at 25°C and assessed for post-thaw sperm quality. Sperm motility, motility duration, viability, total anti-oxidant capacity and DNA integrity was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the extender having 1.5% CPLL than control. To evaluate the fertilization rates, male and female brooders were injected with Ovaprim at 0.2 mL/Kg and 0.5 mL/Kg body weight respectively. Fresh eggs and milt were collected through abdominal stripping. Batches of 10 g of eggs from each female (n = 2) were fertilized with one straw, each from frozen sperm with KE + methanol (control), KE + methanol + 1.5% CPLL and 50 µL fresh milt (negative control). After 1.5 h of fertilization, eggs were collected from all jars and a total of 200 eggs were counted. The fertilized eggs appeared clear and transparent while unfertilized eggs looked opaque with disintegrated nuclei. Sperm fertilization rate (%) was higher (p < 0.05) in extender KE + methanol + 1.5% CPLL (78.7 ± 0.5) compared to control (KE + methanol) (52.0 ± 0.4) however, it was lower compared to that of negative control, the fresh milt (85.2 ± 0.6). In conclusion, supplementation of carboxylated poly-l-lysine (1.5%) to modified Kurokura-2 extender having 10% methanol improves post-thaw motility, motility duration, viability, DNA integrity, anti-oxidant capacity (milt) and fertilizing ability of cryopreserved L. rohita sperm.

Exploring the role of content and language integrated learning approach in developing transversal skills in university students with respect to the mediating role of emotional intelligence.

Although a range of studies has explored the effects of the content and language integrated learning (CLIL) approach on students' achievement, its impact on improving university students' transversal skills (TSs) has remained largely unexplored in Iran. Thus, the present study has a two-fold purpose. First, it aims to investigate the role of the CLIL approach in improving Iranian university students' TSs. Second, it purports to explore the mediating role of emotional intelligence (EI) in the relationship between the CLIL approach and TSs. For this purpose, a survey design was used wherein a research-made questionnaire was distributed among 123 university students to gather the required data. Findings disclosed that the CLIL approach had a positive role in developing the university students' TSs. Further, the results indicated that EI positively affected the development of TSs in university students. Moreover, the findings evidenced that EI significantly mediated the relationship between the CLIL approach and the development of the university students' TSs. The study concludes that applying the CLIL approach involves an entirely new paradigm, offering valuable implications for relevant stakeholders.

Determinants of Unverified News Sharing on Social Media and Its Effects on Corporate Image.

Social media channels are interactive channels that let users spread content, participate, and generate positive or negative news. In this era of social media (SM), organizations run structured and systematic campaigns to shape their corporate images. The present study examines the role of social consciousness (SC) of employees, entertainment (Ent), and altruism (Alt) on unverified news sharing (UVN) with the mediation of corporate image (CI) and the moderation of workplace stress (WS). We conducted the study on 375 employees of the social media teams in the corporate sector in China. The sampling technique used in this study is convenience sampling. We carried out data analysis using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the help of Smart PLS (Partial Least Square) software. The results reveal that the entertainment and altruism of employees affect UVN. However, the direct negative effect of social consciousness of employees and CI on UVN came out to be insignificant. The findings also show that CI mediates the relationship between the social consciousness (SC) of employees and UVN, altruism and UVN, and entertainment and UVN. The moderating role of WS between CI and UVN is significant. Theoretically, the study contributes to the literature by examining the effect of different determinants of UVN on SM on the role of CI and WS. Practically, the present study provides implications for the managers and the organizations. The study finds that Alt is an essential factor that fosters UVN and CI; therefore, altruistic values of the employees should be instigated to reduce the flow of UVN.

Innovative application of new media in visual communication design and resistance to innovation.

It has become essential to create and apply new media in visual communication design due to social media existence. This study aims to investigate the role of innovative applications of new media in visual communication design in educational institutions. Traditional media design in visual communication lacks to disseminate information more effectively, which requires innovative change. Therefore, this study attempts to highlight the role of innovative application of new media in visual communication by considering visual expression design with information technology (IT), flexible layout, diversified modes of transmission, and interactivity of integration. For this purpose, this study adopted a quantitative research approach in which a cross-sectional research design is followed. A questionnaire survey is carried out to collect data from educational institutions in China. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) is used for data analysis. Results of the study indicated that innovative applications of new media have central importance in visual communication. However, resistance to innovative change has a negative role in the relationship between innovative applications of new media and visual communication design. Results of the study highlighted that visual expression design with IT, flexible layout, diversified modes of transmission, and interactivity of integration have a positive effect on visual communication design. Therefore, among the educational intuitions of China, implementing innovative applications related to the new media can lead to visual communication design. The results of this study provided several insights for the practitioners to promote communication methods among educational institutions.

Relationship Between Unhappy Musicians, Resistance Toward Innovation and Uncreative Music Products: Psychological Security as Moderator.

Recently, uncreative music products have become a global issue due to the unhappy musicians and resistance to innovation that needs researchers' focus. This article explores the impact of unhappy musicians and resistance to innovation on uncreative music products in Malaysia. This article also investigates the moderating role of psychological security among the relationships of unhappy musicians, resistance to innovation, and uncreative music products in Malaysia. This study has applied the questionnaire method to gather the primary data from the selected respondents. The researchers have also applied the smart-PLS to check the nexus among constructs and test the hypotheses. The results revealed that unhappy musicians and resistance to innovation have a significant and positive linkage with uncreative music products in Malaysia. The results also revealed that psychological security significantly moderates the linkage among unhappy musicians, resistance to innovation, and uncreative music products in Malaysia. Thus, this study guides the regulators to develop the regulations to reduce the unhappiness among musicians and motivates the regulators to adopt innovation to increase the creative music product in Malaysia.

Lack of Emotional Experience, Resistance to Innovation, and Dissatisfied Musicians Influence on Music Unattractive Education.

Music education is frequently growing around the globe and needs emotional attachments and adoption innovation for the attractive music education that needs researcher's emphasis. Thus, the current article investigates the impact of lack of emotional experience and resistance to innovation on unattractive music education in China. The current research also investigates the mediating impact of dissatisfied musicians among the association of lack of emotional experience, resistance to innovation, and unattractive music education in China. The study has used the primary data collected using questionnaires. The current article examines the validity and reliability using the measurement assessment model and also tests the hypotheses using the structural assessment model with the help of smart-PLS. The results indicated that the lack of emotional experience and resistance to innovation has a positive and significant impact on unattractive music education in China. The findings also revealed that dissatisfied musicians significantly mediate among lack of emotional experience, resistance to innovation, and unattractive music education in China. This article helps policymakers establish policies about making music education attractive for musicians by adopting innovation.

Impact of News Overload on Social Media News Curation: Mediating Role of News Avoidance.

In this global village, easy access to news has resulted in many changes in the preferences and patterns of people for accessing news. Therefore, the present study has attempted to investigate the effects of news relevance, perceived quality, and news overloading on people's news curation preferences. This study has also examined the mediating role of news avoidance between the news relevance, perceived quality, and news overloading on the news curation. A quantitative technique has been employed to check the relationships proposed in the study. A sample size of 217 has been analyzed to check these hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that news relevance has a negative impact while news overload positively and significantly impact the news curation. However, the news avoidance only mediated the relationship of news quality and news curation. Theoretically, the study has contributed to the literature of journalism and social media by finding that relevance of news has a negative significant impact on the news curation behavior of people, such that if they do not find the news relevant, they happily curate it. Practically, the study implies that the people are more prone to the quality of news rather than quantity; therefore, it is important for the news agencies to ensure that they produce and deliver the quality based news considering the accuracy to penetrate the Theoretic lass level.

Pregnancy and calving rates improved using modified swim-up method for buffalo semen sexing.

Present study aimed to evaluate field fertility rate and calf sex ratio of Nili Ravi buffalo semen sexed through modified swim-up method (Animal Reproduction Science, 182, 2017, 69). For this purpose, five mature Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls kept at semen production unit, Qadirabad, Pakistan, were selected. Two consecutive ejaculates per week were collected with artificial vagina for 3 weeks. Qualified semen ejaculates were pooled and divided into two aliquots. The first aliquot was processed by routine procedure (control), whereas the second was processed by modified swim-up technique. After separation, semen was diluted in tris-citric acid extender and cryopreserved using standard techniques. Sexed semen was evaluated for fertility trials during peak breeding season. Artificially inseminated animals were examined for pregnancy rate through rectal palpation at least 3 months after insemination under field conditions. Calving ratio of female and male calves were recoded after Parturition. The fertility rate was higher (p < .05) in X-sorted sperm (70%) as compared with control (47%). The female calf ratio was higher (p < .05) in X-sorted sperm (78.58%) compared with control (53.3%). In Conclusion, conception rate and production of female calf were significantly higher with sexed semen separated through modified swim-up method compared with unsexed control.

Sperm binding to hyaluronan is an excellent predictor of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull fertility.

This study reports the first evaluation of sperm hyaluronan binding assay (HBA) for predicting the fertility of Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls in relation to standard parameters of sperm quality. Cryopreserved semen doses of low (n = 6), medium (n = 3) and high fertility (n = 8) bulls based on their respective return rates were used. Significantly, more spermatozoa bound to hyaluronan from the most fertile bulls (57.15% ± 1.44) compared with medium (42.46% ± 1.08) and low fertility bulls (29.70% ± 0.78). A strongly positive correlation (r = .824, p < .01) was found between HBA and fertility that predicts a 67.9% variability (r2  = .679, p < .01) in fertility. HBA was also strongly positively correlated with sperm viability (r = .679, p < .01) followed by their live/dead ratio (r = .637, p < .01), uncapacitated spermatozoa (r = .631, p < .01), normal apical ridge (r = .459, p < .01), motility (r = .434, p < .01), mature spermatozoa with low residual histones (r = .364, p < .01), high plasma membrane integrity (r = .316, p < .01) and nonfragmented DNA levels (r = .236, p < .05). It was negatively correlated with spermatozoa having reacted acrosome (r = -.654, p < .01). A fertility model built using a combination of sperm HBA and either sperm livability or viability predicts, respectively, 86.1% (r2  = .861, p < .01) and 85.9% (r2  = .859, p < .01) variability in buffalo bull fertility. In conclusion, sperm HBA may prove to be a single robust predictor of Nili-Ravi buffalo bull fertility.

Asphaltum Improves the Post-thaw Quality and Antioxidant Status of Nili Ravi Buffalo Bull Sperm.

Asphaltum, a mineral exudate from the mountains, is an ayurvedic medicine believed to be a panacea for male reproductive health issues. The objective of the study was to evaluate asphaltum in terms of phytochemical components, radical scavenging activity (RSA), in vitro dose tolerability, and cryosurvivability of buffalo sperm. Asphaltum was procured from an authentic source and confirmed for the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, and glycosides. It showed good RSA as confirmed by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. In vitro dose tolerability of buffalo sperm (n = 3, replicate = 4, ejaculates = 24) for asphaltum was assessed at 0.75%, 1.5%, 2.25%, 3.0%, 3.75%, 4.5%, 5.25%, and 6.0% (w/v). Buffalo sperm showed good tolerance up to 3% of asphaltum in terms of sperm progressive motility and plasma membrane integrity. Buffalo semen (n = 3, replicates = 4, ejaculates = 24) was cryopreserved in extender supplemented with 0.0%, 0.75%, 1.5%, 2.25%, and 3.0% (w/v) asphaltum and sperm quality was assessed at post-dilution, post-cooling, and post-thaw. After dilution motility, viability and livability; post-cooling motility and plasma membrane integrity; and post-thaw motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, livability, DNA integrity, sperm RSA, sperm total lipids, sperm mitochondrial activity, and total antioxidant activity of semen were improved by 3%. In conclusion, asphaltum supplementation in an extender at 3% improves the post-thaw quality and antioxidant activity of buffalo semen.

Effect of Synergism Between Carboxylated Poly-l-Lysine and Glycerol on Freezability of Nili-Ravi Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Semen.

Carboxylated poly-l-lysine (CPLL), an ampholytic polymer, has remarkable cryoprotective properties. It was hypothesized that CPLL will reduce/replace glycerol in extender and improve the freezability of buffalo semen. The objective was to evaluate various combinations of CPLL and glycerol in extenders for any synergism toward cryosurvivability of Nili-Ravi buffalo sperm. Semen collected from four Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (ejaculates = 40; replicates = 5) was diluted in tris-citric acid based extenders, Control: (0% CPLL +7% Glycerol); E1: (1% CPLL +6% Glycerol); E2: (2% CPLL +5% Glycerol); E3: (3% CPLL +4% Glycerol); E4: (4% CPLL +3% Glycerol); E5: (5% CPLL +2% Glycerol); E6: (6% CPLL +1% Glycerol), and E7: (7% CPLL +0% Glycerol), and cryopreserved using a programmable cell freezer. Percentages of post-thaw sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosomal integrity were found to be higher (p < 0.05) in extenders E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5 compared to E6 and the control. Sperm livability (%; live/dead ratio) and viability (%; live sperm with intact acrosome) were higher (p < 0.05) in extender E4 compared to all the other extenders. Sperm DNA integrity was higher (p < 0.05) in extender E2, E3, E4, and E5 compared to control, E1, and E6 extenders. Sperm lipid peroxidation levels were lower (p < 0.05) in E3, E4, E5, and E6 compared to control, E1, E2, and E7 extenders. Total antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma was higher (p < 0.05) in extenders E5, E6, and E7 than control, E1, E2, E3, and E4 extenders. It is concluded that synergism between CPLL and glycerol (4% CPPL and 3% Glycerol) seems to improve the freezability of Nili-Ravi buffalo semen by reducing oxidative stress.

Effect of Quercetin on Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Activity, and Quality of Indian Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) Sperm.

Aim: The study was designed to elucidate the effects of quercetin in an extender on oxidative stress, mitochondrial activity and quality of Indian red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus murghi) sperm during cryopreservation. Materials and Methods: Semen was collected from seven adult males through abdominal massage and evaluated for semen volume, concentration, and motility. The qualifying semen ejaculates having >80% motility were diluted in red fowl extenders with 0 (control), 5, 10, 15, and 20 mM quercetin. Diluted semen was frozen following a glycerol-based protocol. Semen quality (motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, acrosome integrity, and chromatin condensation status) and biochemical parameters (mitochondrial activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power, and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were determined at various stages of cryopreservation. Results: Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, acrosome integrity, and chromatin condensation were recorded highest (p < 0.05) with 15 mM quercetin compared with 5, 10, and 20 mM quercetin and control at post-dilution, cooling, equilibration, and freeze-thawing. Nevertheless, mitochondrial activity and antioxidant potential were recorded highest with 15 mM quercetin compared with all experimental extenders at post-equilibration and freeze-thawing. MDA concentration in sperm and seminal plasma were recorded lowest (p < 0.05) in the extender having 15 mM quercetin at post-equilibration and freeze-thawing. Cryopreservation stages showed negative effects (p < 0.05) on semen quality parameters, irrespective of experimental extenders. Conclusions: It is concluded that quercetin (15 mM) supplementation in red fowl extender improves sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability, acrosome integrity, chromatin condensation, and mitochondrial activity by elevating the total antioxidant potential and ameliorating lipid peroxidation during cryopreservation.

Honey as an Alternative to Antibiotics for Cryopreservation of Nili-Ravi Buffalo Bull Spermatozoa.

The antimicrobial properties of honey have stimulated interest in evaluating it as an alternative to antibiotics for cryopreserved buffalo semen. Acacia nilotica, Brassica campestris and Ziziphus jujuba honey were analyzed and Z. jujuba honey was found suitable in terms of quality and purity. Buffalo semen (24 ejaculates) was studied for in vitro dose tolerability to Z. jujuba honey (0.1%-1%), and up to 0.2% (v/v) was not toxic to buffalo spermatozoa. Afterward, semen from three bulls (24 ejaculates) was cryopreserved (four replicates) in tris-citric egg yolk extender supplemented with 0.1% or 0.2% honey, with or without streptomycin-penicillin (SP); extender with SP used as a control. After dilution and cooling, extender without antibiotics but with 0.2% honey was better (p < 0.05) than control in terms of sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity. After thawing, the extenders containing 0.1% honey with antibiotics and extender having 0.2% honey without antibiotics consistently yielded good results in terms of all parameters studied compared to control and other extenders. The extender containing 0.2% honey without antibiotics was better (p < 0.05) in terms of total aerobic bacterial count. In conclusion, 0.2% honey improves the post-thaw quality of buffalo spermatozoa and can replace the use of antibiotics in extender through its antimicrobial activity.