Cryopreservation plays a critical role in animal breeding and the conservation of endangered species, but it often compromises sperm characteristics such as morphology, motility, and viability due to oxidative stress. This study explores the antioxidative effect of Mito-Tempo (MT) and Berberine (BER) to enhance post-thaw sperm quality in rabbits. Pooled rabbit sperm samples were supplemented with different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 5, 10, 50 µmol/L) of MT and BER. Sperm motility was evaluated using computer-assisted semen analysis, while viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial function were assessed through flow cytometry. The results revealed that MT at 5 and 10 µmol/L and BER at 10 µmol/L significantly improved total and progressive motility, mitochondrial activity, and sperm viability compared to the control group. Furthermore, 10 µmol/L BER enhanced acrosome integrity, while both 5 µmol/L MT and 10 µmol/L BER effectively reduced ROS levels and apoptosis. This study is the first to demonstrate the protective effects of MT and BER on rabbit sperm during cryopreservation. By mitigating oxidative stress and reducing apoptosis, these antioxidants markedly improved post-thaw sperm quality, positioning MT and BER as promising agents for improving sperm cryosurvival.

AgroBioTech Research Centre Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Tr A Hlinku 2 949 76 Nitra Slovakia

Department of Animal Morphology Physiology and Genetics Faculty of AgriSciences Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 1 61300 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Zoology and Anthropology Faculty of Natural Sciences Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra Tr A Hlinku 1 949 01 Nitra Slovakia

Institute of Applied Biology Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra Tr A Hlinku 2 949 76 Nitra Slovakia

Institute of Biotechnology Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science Slovak Agricultural University in Nitra Tr A Hlinku 2 949 76 Nitra Slovakia

Research Institute for Animal Production Nitra National Agricultural and Food Centre Hlohovecká 2 951 41 Lužianky Slovakia

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