RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LEVELS OF NITROGEN COMPOUNDS WITH ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES AND SEMEN QUALITY IN BULLS

Fertility is a complex process, involving multiple interactions between the sperm cells and seminal plasma components. The composition of seminal plasma has great influence on the biological quality of semen, as expressed by sperm motility and viability. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationships between semen characteristics and major nitrogen biochemical components of bovine seminal plasma with antioxidant properties (total proteins, albumin, uric acid, urea). Semen samples from 30 breeding bulls were examined. First, basic measurements were performed – volume (ml), pH and concentration (x 106/mL). Motility analysis was carried out using the CASA system; total protein, albumin, uric acid and urea concentration measurements were based on a colorimetric reaction of the target substance and a spectrophotometric detection at a specific wavelength. The correlation analysis revealed that the spermatozoa motility was positively correlated with total proteins (r=0.5823; p<0.001), albumin (r=0.6768; p<0.001) as well as with uric acid (r=0.5106; p<0.001). Besides, the highest concentration of proteins, albumin and uric acid was found in samples of the best quality. No significant results (p>0.05) were found in relation to urea. This study proves the importance of proteins, albumin and uric acid in the semen quality, as well as the crucial role of biochemical analysis of semen in relation to male
fertility.