Antioxidant activity of two Opuntia Mill. species fruit extracts on human sperm quality after a freeze-thaw cycle

Abstract

This study investigated the phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity of fruit extracts of Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw.(OD) and Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.(OFI), yellow (F1) and red (F2) varieties. In order to evaluate the antioxidant activity of these extracts on human sperm quality after thawing, the semen parameters (vitality, motility, acrosome reaction, oxidative stress, and DNA fragmentation) were analysed after 1 h of exposure. The results showed that OD has higher phenolic content and antioxidant power than OFI, and that they are higher in F2 than F1. Furthermore, regarding the activity of extracts on thawed sperm, the results showed a significant increase in motility in samples treated with OFI F1 and OD extracts, while an improvement in vitality and acrosome reaction and a reduction of DNA fragmentation were observed in all exposed samples compared to the control. Finally, a reduction of oxidative stress was observed in samples exposed to OFI F2 and OD than control.

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill
• Opuntia dillenii (Ker Gawl.) Haw
• Cactaceae
• phenolic acids
• flavonoids
• sperm quality
• cryopreservation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethical statement

The study was carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The Centre has been authorized to process the samples (Co. 190002) and all participants have signed the consent. We guaranteed anonymity.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.