Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Supplementation in Caprine Semen Extenders: Current Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Implications for Triladyl® Based Preservation Systems

Authors

• Abdul Saboor Brohi, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, PakistanFollow
• Qudratullah Kalwar, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Muhammad Mohsen Rahimoon, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Hidayatullah Soomro, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Hubdar Ali Kolachi, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Rafique Ahmed Shar, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Muhammad Awais Soomro, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Biosciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Abdul Aleem Korejo, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Muhammad Arslan Yousaf Rehan, Department of Dairy Technology, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology. Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan
• Sajad Ali Laghari, Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Cryopreservation of goat semen is an essential tool for genetic improvement, germplasm conservation, and the expansion of artificial insemination programs in caprine breeding. However, buck spermatozoa are highly susceptible to cryo-induced oxidative stress due to their membrane composition rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species during semen processing, freezing, and thawing compromises sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, mitochondrial function, and DNA stability, ultimately reducing post-thaw fertilizing potential. Semen extenders play a pivotal role in mitigating these detrimental effects by providing cryoprotection and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Among commercial extenders, Triladyl® is widely used in ruminant semen preservation; nevertheless, its intrinsic antioxidant capacity appears limited, necessitating further optimization strategies. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a potent water-soluble antioxidant naturally present in seminal plasma, has attracted considerable attention as an extender supplement due to its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species and regenerate other antioxidants. This review critically synthesizes published evidence on vitamin C supplementation in semen extenders, with particular emphasis on its relevance to Triladyl®-based preservation systems in goats. Although direct studies evaluating vitamin C in addition to Triladyl® in caprine semen are scarce, substantial indirect evidence from Tris-based extenders, comparative extender studies, and cross-species investigations supports its potential to enhance post-thaw semen quality. The review also highlights current limitations, including variability in experimental designs, dose-dependent effects, and the lack of extender-specific data. Overall, the current literature supports vitamin C supplementation as a promising hypothesis that warrants systematic evaluation in commercial extender systems.

Article History

Received: Dec 22, 2025; Accepted: Mar 22, 2026; Published: June 30, 2026

Recommended Citation

Brohi, A. S., Kalwar, Q., Rahimoon, M. M., Soomro, H., Kolachi, H. A., Shar, R. A., Soomro, M. A., Korejo, A. A., Rehan, M. Y., & Laghari, S. A. (2026). Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Supplementation in Caprine Semen Extenders: Current Evidence, Knowledge Gaps, and Implications for Triladyl® Based Preservation Systems, Journal of Bioresource Management, 13 (2).