| Penulis/Author |
Dr. Ir. Sigit Bintara, M.Si., IPU., ASEAN Eng. (1) ; Ir. Panjono, S.Pt., MP., Ph.D., IPM., ASEAN Eng. (2); Ir. Riyan Nugroho Aji, S.Pt., M.Sc., IPP (3) |
| Abstrak/Abstract |
The difficulty of increasing population and productivity was one of the issues confronting the Indonesian beef cattle industry. To increase productivity, a cross-breeding program between local and European cattle breeds is an option that can be implemented in Indonesia. One of the cross-breeding breed was the crossbreed of Belgian Blue cattle with the Brahman cattle and produced another Indonesian BB cattle breeds. The “double muscling” characteristic of Belgian Blue cattle is a distinct phenotypic[1]. The double muscling phenomenon in Belgian Blue cattle can increase carcass percentage by deleting 11 bases in the third exon of the myostatin gene, which caused the phenomenon and made the myostatin gene a major gene candidate for animal growth. Because of this phenomenon, the Belgian Blue is highly preferred in the crossing program and successfully raised meat production in a number of countries with artificial insemination (AI) methods[2] which collected BB cattle semen and put to the Brahmans cows. Following sperm ejaculation, spermatozoa undergo irreversible aging, which eventually leads to death. It is thus the goal of animal breeders to extend the life of sperm cells by using cryopreservation agent in semen diluent [3]. Several herbal extracts and plant-derived pure molecules have been shown to have an effect on the reproductive process. Furthermore, recent research has shown that administration of plant extracts improves sperm parameters, androgen status, fertility index, and has a positive effect on sperm quality in males [4], [5]. Sanrego (Lunasia amara Blanco) has been used in folk medicine to increase and/or treat male fertility[6]. Sanrego is a herb which contains steroid that has aphrodisiac features and can increase sexual libido[7]. In vivo, Sanrego extract increased male fertility and libido significantly by increasing testosterone levels and antioxidant enzyme activity [8]. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the Sanrego's significant effect as diluent on liquid sperm quality. The aim of this study was to identify the effect supplementing extract of Lunasia amara Blanco in sperm diluent had on sperm quality, specifically sperm motility and viability as well as knowing the proper amount of sanrego concentration to use as a diluent.
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