E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 

Review Article


Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives

Anak Agung Gde Oka Dharmayudha, I Ketut Puja, I Wayan Nico Fajar Gunawan, Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti, Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto.


Abstract
Airport security systems commonly employ X-ray scanners for baggage screening, creating the possibility of unintended radiation exposure to biological materials, such as transported semen used in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This review summarizes the current knowledge on X-ray-induced oxidative stress and evaluates its potential impact on semen quality across animal species. Semen is highly vulnerable to oxidative damage due to the abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in spermatozoa membranes and the limited cytoplasmic antioxidant reserves within the cells. Although seminal plasma contains substantial enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by X-ray exposure can overwhelm endogenous defenses, leading to DNA fragmentation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired motility. Four key studies investigating the impact of airport-related X-ray exposure on semen quality in dogs, bulls, cats, and stallions demonstrated variable outcomes. Reported effects ranged from reduced motility and membrane function to increased double-stranded DNA damage and decreased embryo development, although one study in stallions found no detrimental effects at doses typically used in airport screening. These inconsistencies highlight species-specific sensitivity, differences in semen storage conditions, and exposure dose variations. Overall, evidence indicates that airport X-ray screening may pose a risk to spermatozoa structural and functional integrity. Future strategies, including the incorporation of antioxidants or radioprotective agents into semen extenders, optimization of packaging systems, and real-world exposure assessments, are needed to safeguard the quality of shipped semen during air transport.

Key words: Radiation; ROS, Semen quality; Spermatozoa, X-ray.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Dharmayudha AAGO, Puja IK, Gunawan IWNF, Yuniarti WM, Lukiswanto BS. Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(4): 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2


Web Style

Dharmayudha AAGO, Puja IK, Gunawan IWNF, Yuniarti WM, Lukiswanto BS. Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=302067 [Access: June 10, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Dharmayudha AAGO, Puja IK, Gunawan IWNF, Yuniarti WM, Lukiswanto BS. Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(4): 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Dharmayudha AAGO, Puja IK, Gunawan IWNF, Yuniarti WM, Lukiswanto BS. Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. Open Vet. J.. (2026), [cited June 10, 2026]; 16(4): 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2



Harvard Style

Dharmayudha, A. A. G. O., Puja, . I. K., Gunawan, . I. W. N. F., Yuniarti, . W. M. & Lukiswanto, . B. S. (2026) Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. Open Vet. J., 16 (4), 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2



Turabian Style

Dharmayudha, Anak Agung Gde Oka, I Ketut Puja, I Wayan Nico Fajar Gunawan, Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti, and Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto. 2026. Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (4), 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2



Chicago Style

Dharmayudha, Anak Agung Gde Oka, I Ketut Puja, I Wayan Nico Fajar Gunawan, Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti, and Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto. "Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives." Open Veterinary Journal 16 (2026), 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Dharmayudha, Anak Agung Gde Oka, I Ketut Puja, I Wayan Nico Fajar Gunawan, Wiwik Misaco Yuniarti, and Bambang Sektiari Lukiswanto. "Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives." Open Veterinary Journal 16.4 (2026), 1977-1986. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Dharmayudha, A. A. G. O., Puja, . I. K., Gunawan, . I. W. N. F., Yuniarti, . W. M. & Lukiswanto, . B. S. (2026) Impact of airport X-ray security screening on the quality of shipped animal semen: Oxidative stress, irradiation effects, and future perspectives. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (4), 1977-1986. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.2