Utilização do óleo essencial do pequi como agente antioxidante de sêmen bovino

Abstract

Brazil has been excelling in reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination and semen freezing. The objective of this study was to examine the deleterious effects of oxidative agents on sperm and to investigate the antioxidant activities present in pequi, which may be useful in bovine semen freezing. Pequi fruits were collected in November 2023, in the municipality of Faina, located in the northwestern region of the state of Goiás. The samples were taken to the pharmacy laboratory of the UEG Anápolis campus, where they were processed using the Clevenger hydrodistillation method, yielding 2.983 grams of essential oil. The tests were performed in the Biotec laboratory using four Girolando bulls identified as Bull 1, Bull 2, Bull 3, and Bull 4. The bulls were collected and had their turbulence, motility, and vigor parameters initially assessed, followed by their volume in a Neubauer chamber. The essential oil was initially added to the fresh semen diluent in treatments with doses of 25μ, 50μ, and 100μ, and later reduced to 2μ, 5μ, and 10μ. Tests were conducted by evaluating the treatments based on the time the semen was in contact with the oil: 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours. The most effective treatment, 2μ, was subjected to the cooling test to 5°C. Descriptive statistical analysis was used. In all treatments, sperm quality decreased drastically as time increased, and the 2μ treatment also did not withstand cooling. The study concluded that under these experimental conditions, pequi essential oil did not exhibit the expected antioxidant capacity.