Dr. Muath Qasem Al-Ghadi
King Saud University
Saudi Arabia
Abstract Title: Optimizing Semen Cryopreservation in Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx): Comparative Evaluation of Egg Yolk-Tris buffer and Commercial Extenders for Enhancing Sperm Quality and Conservation Outcomes
Biography:
Dr. Muath Q. Al-Ghadi is an Associate Professor of Reproductive Physiology and Developmental Biology at King Saud University with over 15 years of teaching and research experience. He holds a PhD in Reproductive Physiology from King Saud University and advanced degrees in Veterinary Anatomy and Veterinary Medicine from Jordan University of Science and Technology. His expertise spans assisted reproductive technologies (IVF, ICSI, IVM, SCNT), cryopreservation of gametes and embryos, and genetic resource conservation of endangered wildlife species. He has led multiple government-funded projects and supervised numerous graduate theses on reproductive biotechnology and nanotechnology applications.
Research Interest:
The Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), once extinct in the wild, represents a conservation success achieved through coordinated captive breeding and reintroduction programs across the Arabian Peninsula. Reproductive biotechnologies, especially semen cryopreservation, are central to genetic resource banking and assisted reproduction in this endangered species. However, cryopreservation outcomes are strongly influenced by semen extender composition, which affects post-thaw sperm viability, motility, and integrity. This study evaluated two extenders—Egg Yolk–Tris Buffer (EYTB) with a defined and adjustable formulation, and the commercial Steridyl®—to determine their effectiveness in preserving Arabian oryx sperm quality before freezing and after thawing. Eighty ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation from sexually mature males and diluted with either EYTB or Steridyl. Sperm motility, morphology, and kinematic parameters were assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Cryopreservation significantly reduced total and progressive motility, increased morphological abnormalities, and impaired velocity and trajectory-related kinematic traits in both extenders (p<0.05). However, EYTB consistently outperformed Steridyl, maintaining higher post-thaw total motility (46.2% vs. 29.4%), progressive motility (32.5% vs. 14.4%), and lower morphological defects (12.0% vs. 15.0%) (p<0.05). EYTB also preserved key kinematic parameters (VCL, VSL, VAP, ALH, BCF) more effectively. These findings highlight EYTB’s superior cryoprotective performance, likely due to its defined composition mitigating cryo-induced damage. The study underscores the importance of extender formulation and species-specific protocol optimization in wildlife semen cryopreservation and offers practical insights for enhancing assisted reproduction and genetic resource management in endangered species conservation.