Optimizing Semen Cryopreservation in Inner Mongolia Cashmere Goats: Combined Effects of Centrifugation Parameters and L-Proline Supplementation

Jiaxin Qin, Pingping Liu, Jun Cai, Shuai Wang, Ulzii Bilik, Liwen He and Wei Zhang ()
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Jiaxin Qin: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Pingping Liu: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Jun Cai: Erdos Eco Ranch, Inner Mongolia ERDOS Resources Co., Ltd., Ordos 017000, China
Shuai Wang: Inner Mongolia Yiwei Cashmere Goat Co., Ltd., Hohhot 016100, China
Ulzii Bilik: Inner Mongolia Yiwei Cashmere Goat Co., Ltd., Hohhot 016100, China
Liwen He: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
Wei Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 14, 1-14

Abstract: This study optimized the cryopreservation protocol for cashmere goat semen by testing centrifugation speeds (750, 1000, 1250, 1500 rpm) for seminal plasma removal and L-proline concentrations (10, 30, 50 mmol/L) in a freezing extender. Semen from six 3-year-old breeding bucks of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats was evaluated post-thaw in terms of motility, membrane integrity, antioxidant capacity, and artificial insemination (AI) outcomes ( n = 130 does). The results demonstrated that the group that underwent centrifugation at 1250 rpm saw significantly improved sperm motility ( p < 0.05), curvilinear velocity (VCL, p < 0.05), and straight-line velocity (VSL, p < 0.05) compared to the other groups. The addition of 30 mmol/L L-proline further enhanced post-thaw sperm motility ( p < 0.05), plasma membrane integrity ( p < 0.05), and acrosome integrity ( p < 0.05), while significantly reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS, p < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (MDA, p < 0.05) levels. This group also exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, as indicated by elevated levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) ( p < 0.05). AI trials revealed that semen treated with 1250 rpm centrifugation and 30 mmol/L L-proline achieved the highest kidding rate (56.82%), significantly outperforming the control group (37.21%, p < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed in prolificacy or offspring sex ratio ( p > 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that combining 1250 rpm centrifugation for seminal plasma removal with the addition of 30 mmol/L L-proline to the freezing extender significantly improves the quality of cryopreserved cashmere goat semen and enhances AI outcomes.

Keywords: cashmere goat; semen cryopreservation; centrifugation; antioxidant; artificial insemination; reproductive efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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