Evaluating the effect of adding vitamins E & C to the extender for Barki ram semen by cooling

The present work aimed at evaluating adequacy of adding different non-enzymatic additives; i.e. vitamins E and C, in to semen diluent on physical and morphological characteristics as well as oxidative status of ram semen stored at 4oC. Ejaculates (n=80) were collected from Five sexually mature Barki rams during the period from January to April. After initial evaluation, each adequate raw ejaculate was diluted (1:10) with Tris-citrate egg yolk extender. Each diluted ejaculate was further split into seven aliquots to evaluate addition of three levels of either ascorbic acid or alpha tocopherol (0.1, 0.2 or 0.3 mM for each treatment) against control (untreated) specimens for their ability to maintain sperm viability criteria over 48 hr (T0 and T48) of chilled storage at 4 oC.The changes in seminal plasma oxidative status indices as well as enzymatic activates were also determined throughout the period of cooled storage.The results showed that addition of adequate concentrations of ascorbic acid (0.1 mM) or α-tocopherol (0.3 mM) to semen diluent can reduce (P<0.05) the oxidative stress and, hence,maintained(P<0.05) physical characteristics of ram spermatozoa compared to controlthroughout the 48 h period of cold storage.