Protective effects of curcumin and niosomal nanocarriers loaded with curcumin on the semen quality, flow cytometry assessments and reproductive performance in aging male broiler breeders during cooling storage.

In aging commercial poultry flocks, fertility is often sustained with artificial insemination (AI), although cooled semen can result in poor fertility. The objective was to assess effects of curcumin (Cur) or niosomal nanocarriers loaded with curcumin (NNCur), in concentrations of 100, 200 or 300 μM, on sperm quality and function of cooled rooster semen. hypothesized that supplementing rooster semen extender with NNCur protects sperm from negative impacts of ROS during cooled storage and improves sperm quality and function. Pooled semen samples were diluted in the Beltsville extender, split into seven equal aliquots (Control and three concentrations each of Cur and NNCur), cooled to 5°C and stored for 48 h. Sperm motion, morphology, viability, membrane integrity and functionality, and lipid peroxidation were assessed after 0, 24 and 48 h of cooling. Flow cytometry analyses and AI were conducted using 24 h-cooled semen. Although Cur and NNCur did not affect sperm quality at the onset of cooling storage (0 h), compared to the Control group, extender supplementation with Cur, and in particular NNCur, increased (P < 0.05) sperm total and progressive motilities, membrane functionality, viability and mitochondria active potential, and reduced lipid peroxidation at 24 and 48 h. With 24 h cooled-stored sperm, fertility and live sperm were highest (P < 0.05) and late apoptotic and ROS production were lowest (P < 0.05) with NNCur (200 and 300 μM). However, hatchability, necrosis, and early apoptosis were not (P > 0.05) affected by Cur or NNCur. In conclusion, addition of NNCur to extender mitigated oxidative stress and improved fertility potential of stored chilled rooster semen.