Improvement of post-thawed sperm quality in broiler breeder roosters by ellagic acid-loaded liposomes

Liposomes could improve the delivery of substances to sperm. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the antioxidant ellagic acid and ellagic acid-loaded liposomes on post-thawed sperm quality in broiler breeder roosters. Semen was diluted in Beltsville extender containing ellagic acid or ellagic acid-loaded liposomes (ellagic acid at 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 2 mM) and cryopreserved. Sperm quality was evaluated post-thawing: motility characteristics (Computer-Assisted Semen Analysis), membrane functionality (HOS test), abnormal morphology, mitochondrial activity (Rhodamine 123), apoptotic status (Annexin V/Propidium iodide), malondialdehyde, and antioxidant activities (glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)). The results showed that 1 mM ellagic acid-loaded liposomes improved total motility, membrane functionality, and viability comparing to 0.5 and 2 mM ellagic acid, 2 mM ellagic acid-loaded liposomes, and control group. Mitochondrial activity was significantly higher for 1 mM ellagic acid-loaded liposomes compared to the rest of the treatments, except 1 mM ellagic acid. Ellagic acid at 1 mM in both forms significantly increased GPx and TAC after freeze-thawing (no significant variation for SOD), and also yielded the lower proportion of apoptotic and dead cells. In conclusion, ellagic acid improved post-thawed sperm quality in broiler breeder roosters. The use of liposomes could further enhance the effects of ellagic acid.