Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) supplementation on oxidative stress and freezability of breeding bull semen

N Singh; A. Patel; S. Kumar; M. Pande; V. Singh; N. Chand; A.S. Sirohi; S. Mahajan; S Sarika; Dr C. Rani

doi:10.56093/ijans.v95i12.170659

Authors

Dr N. Singh College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr A. Patel College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr Suresh Kumar Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. M. Pande Scientist, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr Vijay Singh Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr N. Chand Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. A.S. Sirohi Division of Cattle Nutrition and Management, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr Sumit Mahajan Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
S Sarika Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr C. Rani ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v95i12.170659

Keywords:

Cryopreservation; Frieswal; Ashwagandha; Antioxidant; Oxidative stress; Semen quality.

Abstract

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), a well-known Ayurvedic adaptogen, is recognized for its potent antioxidant, cytoprotective, and anticancer properties. Although its efficacy in improving semen quality under oxidative stress is well documented in humans, its potential application in bull semen cryopreservation, where oxidative damage is a key determinant of reduced sperm survival and function, remains largely unexplored. The present study provides the first experimental evidence on the effect of Ashwagandha supplementation in semen extenders for breeding bulls. A total of 18 ejaculates (6 per bull; n = 3 bulls) were cryopreserved in Tris-based extenders, divided into four groups: control (no supplementation) and three treatment groups supplemented with 1%, 2.5%, and 3.5% (v/v) aqueous Ashwagandha extract. Post-thaw assessments included progressive motility, viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane integrity, and oxidative stress markers [reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA)]. Supplementation at 2.5–3.5% significantly (p < 0.05) improved motility, viability, acrosome and plasma membrane integrity, while reducing ROS and MDA levels. Although DNA fragmentation did not differ statistically, numerical improvements were observed. These results demonstrated that Ashwagandha supplementation enhances post-thaw semen quality and mitigates cryo-induced oxidative stress in breeding bulls. Overall, the findings establish Withania somnifera as a promising natural additive for semen extenders, with practical potential to improve the freezability and functional resilience of bull spermatozoa.

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Author Biographies

Dr N. Singh, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India

Research Scholar, Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr A. Patel, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India

Assistant Professor

College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dr Suresh Kumar , Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Head, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. M. Pande, Scientist, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Scientist, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr Vijay Singh, Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Head, Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, 250110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr N. Chand, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Principal Scientist, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr. A.S. Sirohi, Division of Cattle Nutrition and Management, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Principal Scientist, Division of Cattle Nutrition and Management, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr Sumit Mahajan, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Scientist (SS), Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
S Sarika, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Young professional, Division of Cattle Physiology and Reproduction, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dr C. Rani, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

PhD Scholar, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Cattle, Meerut, 250001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

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