Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L. and Silybum marianum on Ram Sperm Motility During Refrigeration

Hela Derbali; Samia Ben Said; Wijden Niama; Mokhtar Mahouachi

doi:10.29329/ijiaar.2025.1375.12

Research article | Open Access
International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 2025, Vol. 9(4) 444-453

Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L. and Silybum marianum on Ram Sperm Motility During Refrigeration

Hela Derbali, Samia Ben Said, Wijden Niama, Mokhtar Mahouachi

pp. 444 - 453 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2025.1375.12

Publish Date: December 17, 2025 | Single/Total View: 0/0 | Single/Total Download: 0/0

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Abstract

Plant extracts are recognized by improving sperm function during refregiration. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating aqueous extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L. and Silybum marianum to the preservation medium on chilled ram semen quality. Plant extracts were prepared from dried parts of the plants and added in a commercial dilution medium. Three doses were tested for each plant extract: 1g/l, 2g/l and 5g/l for Urtica dioica and Scabiosa atropurpurea and 2g/l, 5g/l and 10g/l for Silybum marianum and control (0g/l). The individual motility of the sperm was then assessed at different time intervals 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after semen collection at 5°C. The results showed that the incorporation of Urtica dioica revealed variable levels of motility, with peaks at 2g/l and 5g/l, after 24 hours this dose still maintained relatively high motility (58.0% and 56.4% respectively). The addition of Scabiosa atropurpurea showed a significant improvement especially at 1% which preserved individual motility over time with 74.8% after 6 hours and 39.2% after 48 hours, but also a significant decline at higher concentrations. Silybum marianum maintained the best motility with the highest doses at 10% with 57.8% after 24 hours of semen collection indicating prolonged efficacy for sperm preservation. This study concludes that aqueous extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea and Silybum marianum have significant benefits on sperm preservation, with specific concentrations optimizing individual motility.

Keywords: Ram semen, refrigeration, Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L., Silybum marianum, Motility

How to Cite this Article?

APA 7th edition
Derbali, H., Said, S.B., Niama, W., & Mahouachi, M. (2025). Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L. and Silybum marianum on Ram Sperm Motility During Refrigeration. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 9(4), 444-453. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2025.1375.12

Harvard
Derbali, H., Said, S., Niama, W. and Mahouachi, M. (2025). Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L. and Silybum marianum on Ram Sperm Motility During Refrigeration. International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research, 9(4), pp. 444-453.

Chicago 16th edition
Derbali, Hela, Samia Ben Said, Wijden Niama and Mokhtar Mahouachi (2025). "Impact of Aqueous Extracts of Urtica dioica, Scabiosa atropurpurea L. and Silybum marianum on Ram Sperm Motility During Refrigeration". International Journal of Innovative Approaches in Agricultural Research 9 (4):444-453. https://doi.org/10.29329/ijiaar.2025.1375.12

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