Addition of L-arginine in skim milk extender maintains goat spermatozoa quality in chilled temperature for five days

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the benefits of L-arginine addition in skim milk extender to maintain the quality of goat spermatozoa in chilled storage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 ejaculates from three healthy goats with weight and age of 45 kg and 4-5 years, respectively, were divided into three groups. The control group contained goat semen diluted in a skim milk extender without L-arginine; Treatment I and Treatment II contained goat semen diluted in a skim milk extender with added L-arginine 4 and 6 mM, respectively. These three groups were chilled at 5°C and evaluated daily for 5 days. Observed variables were viability, motility, intact plasma membrane (IPM), malondialdehyde (MDA) level, necrosis, and apoptosis of spermatozoa. RESULTS: The addition of L-arginine 4 mM was the best treatment in maintaining viability, motility, and IPM and a decreased MDA level, percentage of necrosis, and apoptosis of goat spermatozoa. An ejaculate in this extender can be divided into 37 doses for intracervical insemination in <1 ml volume with 125 million motile spermatozoa. CONCLUSION: Goat semen retained its quality when kept for 5 days in chilled storage by adding L-arginine in skim milk extender.