The Effect of Vitamin E and Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) Association on Chilled Rabbit Sperm: Impact on Sperm Motility and Oxidative Stress Status.

Background: Vitamin E is the major lipid-soluble antioxidant, however, its potent effect is limited by its poor solubility.

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate whether polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) can enhance Vitamin E solubility and help protect sperm motility and against oxidative status.

Materials And Methods: Sperm groups consisted of the control aliquot diluted with Tris buffer and aliquots treated with Tris buffer containing polyethylene glycol (PEG), vitamin E (Vit E) or vitamin E- PEG complex (PEG/Vit E). Sperm motility was measured using a Computer Aided Semen Analysis at 0, 1, 3, 6 hours of cooling at 4°C. The oxidative stress status was measured at 4 hours using ABTS radical scavenging capacity.

Results: Sperm motility and oxidative status were significantly protected when using PEG and Vit E individually; however the most potent effects were observed in PEG/Vit E treatment.

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that treating rabbit semen with vitamin E complexed to PEG 6000 (PEG/Vit E) is effective in protecting sperm cells during chilling at 4°C.