Suherni SuSilowati, Imam Mustofa, Tatik Hernawati, Tri Wahyu Suprayogi, Yudith Oktanella, Supriyadi, Eko Alif Bin Anto
Cryopreservation is an important reproductive biotechnology for preserving the genetic resources of indigenous livestock, including the Kacang goat (Capra hircus), which plays a significant role in smallholder farming systems in Indonesia. However, the freeze-thaw process induces oxidative stress that can impair sperm motility, compromise plasma membrane integrity, and increase DNA fragmentation. This study evaluated the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) supplementation in a skim milk-egg yolk semen extender on post-thaw sperm quality and DNA integrity of cryopreserved Kacang buck semen. Ejaculates meeting initial quality criteria were allocated into three treatment groups: A control without EGCG, EGCG supplementation at 0.05 mg/100 mL, and EGCG supplementation at 0.10 mg/100 mL. Post-thaw sperm quality was assessed based on progressive motility, antioxidant enzyme activity, and DNA fragmentation. EGCG supplementation, particularly at a concentration of 0.10 mg/100 mL, was associated with higher post-thaw sperm motility, increased catalase activity, and reduced DNA fragmentation compared with the control group. These findings suggest that EGCG supplementation enhances the resistance of Kacang buck spermatozoa to cryopreservation-induced oxidative stress and contributes to improved postthaw sperm quality and nuclear integrity. Copyright: 2026 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Division of Veterinary Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia; Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, East Java, Malang, 65151, Indonesia; Master's Program in Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia
