Antibacterial Potential of Aqueous Neem Leaf Extract (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) on Spermatozoa Quality in Extended Porcine Semen

Aim: The present study was investigated to assess the antibacterial potential of aqueous neem leaves extracts (ANLE) on spermatozoa quality in extended porcine semen.

Materials and Methods: Fresh semen was collected from a mature and intact boar (age, breed, body condition score, health status) using the glove-hand technique. The collected semen samples were diluted and allotted to six treatments with three replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design and evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 h of refrigeration at 17°C. Semen quality parameters such as progressive motility (%), viability (%), morphology (%), pH, acrosome integrity (%), and bacteria load (×104 CFU/mL) were evaluated.

Results and Discussion: At 48 h, a significant difference (p < 0.05) in motility was observed across the treatments with Treatment 1 giving the highest mean value (84.67±2.40) and Treatment 6 (100% ANLE) gave the least value (70.00±0.00). At 48 h, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in viability across the treatments. Treatment 2 and Treatment 3 (25% ANLE) though with a significant difference between the means has given the closest mean value (79.67±0.33 and 76.67±0.67 respectively) to Treatment 1 (80.00±0.00). At 48 h, a significant difference (p < 0.05) in morphology was also observed across the treatments. Treatment 2 and Treatment 3 (25% ANLE), though with a significant difference between the means has given the closest mean values (81.33±0.67 and 79.33±0.33 respectively) to Treatment 1 (82.00±1.00). At 48 h, a significant difference (p < 0.05) in acrosome integrity, as well as pH, was also observed across the treatments. The general trend for bacteria load is a decline as the level of ANLE increases across the treatments at 48 h of refrigeration.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that 25% of ANLE can be used in boar semen extension up to 48 h of storage at 17°C.