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Abstract

The cryopreservation of semen is a prerequisite for artificial insemination, germplasm banking and the global distribution of elite livestock breeding. However, spermatozoa are particularly sensitive to cooling and freezing/thawing processes due to the presence of large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their plasma membranes and limited cytoplasmic antioxidant stores. An increase in reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, acrosomal injury and DNA fragmentation occurs due to stress associated with cryopreservation, which results in the lowering of motility as well as viability and post-thaw low quality of sperm. Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural disulfide compound that acts as a redox-active antioxidant and mitochondrial metabolic cofactor. Its reduced form known as dihydrolipoic acid possesses antioxidant actions by scavenging free radicals, regenerating endogenous antioxidants, promoting mitochondrial energy metabolism and preventing oxidative damage. This review synthesizes direct ALA evidence across buffalo, cattle bulls, goats/bucks, rams, boars, poultry and common carp, with additional comparative evidence from honeybee drone semen. Across these species, protective effects are dose- and formulation-dependent: optimized ALA generally improves sperm motility, viability, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function and antioxidant status, whereas excessive concentrations or prolonged post-thaw exposure can be neutral or detrimental. Therefore, ALA should be optimized for each species, extender and preservation protocol rather than treated as a common semen additive.

Article History

Received: May 22, 2026; Accepted: Sep 25, 2026; Published: Sep 30, 2026.

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