Effects of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) supplementation in a skim milk-based extender on the quality of cooled equine semen

Autores

  • Victor Ramos Goulart
  • Larissa de Lacerda dos Santos
  • Frederico Luiz Schmitt
  • Natália Martins Bustamante Sá
  • Leonardo Glaeser Paul
  • Verônica La Cruz Bueno
  • Rodrigo Costa Mattos
  • Henrique Boll Araújo Bastos
  • Sandra Fiala Rechsteiner

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34188/bjaerv9n2-190

Palavras-chave:

semen, fertility, cooling, cryopreservation, equine, stallions, phosphoric acid, H3PO4, UHT skim milk

Resumo

Artificial insemination with cooled semen is a widely used biotechnology in equine reproduction; however, sperm quality declines during storage, compromising fertility outcomes. Extender composition plays a critical role in maintaining sperm viability, particularly through modulation of physicochemical parameters such as pH. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) supplementation in a skim milk-based extender on sperm functional and kinematic parameters during cooled storage of equine semen. In total, twelve ejaculates from six fertile Criollo stallions were collected and allocated into four groups: Control (UHT skim milk only) and three treatment groups supplemented with H₃PO₄ at concentrations of 0.015% (T1), 0.03% (T2), and 0.06% (T3). Samples were evaluated at 3, 24, and 48 h post-dilution. Assessments included CASA (Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis) parameters, hypoosmotic swelling test, and sperm morphology. H₃PO₄ supplementation significantly and negatively affected sperm motility and velocity parameters (P < 0.05). The highest concentration (0.06%; T3) resulted in consistently lower values across all time points (3, 24, and 48 h) compared to the Control, T1 (0.015%), and T2 (0.03%). In contrast, T1 did not differ significantly from the Control group in any of the evaluated parameters (P > 0.05). No significant effects were observed on plasma membrane functional integrity or sperm morphology (P > 0.05). Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) supplementation in a skim milk–based extender did not improve the functional or kinematic quality of cooled equine semen. Low concentration (0.015%) did not affect significanty sperm motility, morphology, or plasma membrane integrity, suggesting potential suitability under the conditions tested. In contrast, higher concentration (0.06%) had a deleterious effect on sperm kinetics.

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Publicado

2026-05-29

Como Citar

Goulart , V. R., Santos, L. de L. dos, Schmitt, F. L., Sá, N. M. B., Paul, L. G., Bueno, V. L. C., Mattos, R. C., Bastos, H. B. A., & Rechsteiner, S. F. (2026). Effects of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) supplementation in a skim milk-based extender on the quality of cooled equine semen. Brazilian Journal of Animal and Environmental Research, 9(2), e87435. https://doi.org/10.34188/bjaerv9n2-190

Edição

v. 9 n. 2 (2026)

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