Veterinary Research Forum

Canthaxanthin enhances the quality of cryopreserved goat spermatozoa

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Wilasinee Inyawilert 1
Payungsuk Intawicha 2
Sureeporn Saengwong 2
Tossapol Moonmanee 3
Yu-Jing Liao 4
Pin-Chi Tang 5
Punnawut yama 6
Attapol Tianton 7

1 Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand

2 School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand

3 Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiangmai University, Chiangmai, Thailand

4 Genetics and Physiology Division, Taiwan Livestock Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Tainan, Taiwan

5 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

6 Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Science and Agricultural Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna Phitsanulok, Thailand

7 Faculty of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Technology, Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi, Thailand

https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2025.2061411.4771
Abstract
The excessive production of reactive oxygen species during the freezing and thawing process triggers lipid peroxidation in the sperm membrane, resulting in oxidative harm and a decline in semen quality. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different concentrations of canthaxanthin on the quality of goat spermatozoa throughout the process of cryopreservation. Semen was collected from each goat using an artificial vagina for a continuous duration of 3 weeks. The semen was divided into five equal portions and mixed with an extender having different concentrations of canthaxanthin: 0.00 (control), 5.00, 15.00, 25.00, and 35.00 µM. The computer-assisted semen analyzer was used to determine the sperm motility and kinetic parameters. The findings indicated that the inclusion of canthaxanthin at a concentration of 5.00 µM resulted in a minimal enhancement in sperm kinematic factors such as overall motility, progressive motility, fast progressive motility, curve-line velocity, distance curve line, amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat-cross frequency, wobble, linearity, and straightness. Nevertheless, these enhancements did not demonstrate statistical significance compared to the control, 15.00, 25.00, and 35.00 µM. The introduction of 5.00 µM of canthaxanthin resulted in a significant rise in straight-line velocity, average path velocity and head activity compared to the control group. Hence, the addition of 5.00 µM of canthaxanthin could be employed to improve the cryopreservation of goat spermatozoa.

Keywords

Canthaxanthin
Goat
Semen cryopreservation
Spermatozoa
Subjects
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Veterinary Research Forum
Volume 17, Issue 5
May 2026
Pages 327-332

  • Receive Date 09 June 2025
  • Revise Date 02 September 2025
  • Accept Date 11 October 2025

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