ABSTRACT

The role of a cold storage preservative is crucial in maintaining the quality of sperm by protecting and reducing damage caused during cold storage. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate concentration of cysteine to supplement the preservation environment for the best quality sperm, as well as to identify the optimal cold storage time for sperm at a temperature of 15°C. The experiments were conducted on three local crossbred male rabbits, with each experiment repeated nine times. Rabbit semen was collected using an artificial vagina and diluted with TCG preservation medium supplemented with cysteine at four concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5mM) and stored at 15°C. The experiments were observed at intervals of 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72hrs. The results showed that rabbit sperm achieved the best quality when supplemented with 2.5mM cysteine during cold storage. The results of the progressive motility of sperm at each time were as follows 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72hrs were 63.88, 60.99, 55.42% 47.52, 34.29, and 16.67%, respectively. The sperm survival rate at each time were as follows: 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72hrs were 84.33, 80.82, 77.17, 73.04, 67.24 and 58.81%, with statistically significant differences compared to the remaining experimental groups (P