Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Faculty, Bıngol University, Bingol, Turkey
2
Department of Reproduction and Artificial İnsemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Atatürk University Erzurum/Turkey
3
Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Faculty, Fırat University, Elazıg, Turkey
4
Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Faculty, Bingol University, Bingol, Turkey
5
Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
6
Department of Biochemistry, Veterinary Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
7
Department of Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Instute of Healt Sciences, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey.
10.30466/vrf.2026.2077381.4987
Abstract
The present study how riociguat supplementation modulates in a Tris–egg yolk extender on post-thaw ram semen quality. Semen samples were collected from eight healthy, sexually mature Tuj rams (n = 48 ejaculates) during the breeding season and cryopreserved after supplementation with riociguat at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5, 5, 50, and 250 µM. Post-thaw sperm quality was evaluated using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) for motility and kinematic parameters, alongside assessments of plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA integrity, and oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH).
Riociguat supplementation (5–250 µM) significantly modulated mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by reduced MDA and increased GSH levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, all riociguat-treated groups exhibited significantly improved DNA integrity compared with the control (P < 0.05). However, acrosomal integrity declined at the highest concentrations (50 and 250 µM), indicating potential detrimental effects associated with excessive dosing.
In conclusion, riociguat modulates post-thaw ram sperm function in a dose-dependent manner, exerting both beneficial and detrimental effects depending on concentration. Although fertility outcomes were not assessed in the present study, the observed biochemical and functional changes provide preliminary evidence that riociguat may influence key pathways associated with sperm resilience to cryoinjury, thereby justifying further investigations incorporating in vivo fertility and reproductive performance assessments.
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