This study was conducted to explore the effects of dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) or/and vitamin C (VC) on growth, hemato-biochemical parameters, oxidative and antioxidant status, reproductive hormones, and semen quality variables, and scrotal-testicular dimensions of Zaraibi goat bucks. Twenty sexually mature bucks (41.49±0.91 kg BW) were randomly divided into 4 groups (5 bucks/group). The control group was fed the control diet, while the other three groups received a diet supplemented with VC (2 g/animal /day), CV (5 g/animal/day), and CV plus VC (the same levels), respectively, for 8 weeks (treatment period), then semen was collected for 8 weeks. Results showed that dietary supplementation with CV-VC combination significantly increased the final body weight, weight gain, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, and lymphocytes; elevated serum total protein, globulin, testosterone, estradiol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase with a significant reduction in Malondialdehyde in serum and seminal plasma. Also, the CV-VC combination significantly improved the ejaculate volume, total sperm output, sperm concentration, and live sperm, and reduced reaction time and sperm abnormality of bucks. Either CV or VC given separately or in combination, at the chosen levels, had no detrimental effects on animal physiological responses with normal hepatic and renal functions. Therefore, the CV-VC combination could be safely utilized as a dietary supplement in buck's diets to improve antioxidant defenses, scavenge free radicals, and potentiate buck's reproductive activities under normal conditions.
This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of chitosan (CTZ) on semen variables, sperm apoptosis and DNA fragmentation, and seminal plasma antioxidant status of Zaraibi goat bucks fed high-fat diet.Total of 15 mature bucks were divided into 3 groups (n= 5); the control (CG) and two of the groups received the control diet in addition to2.5 g CTZ/kg concentrate (CTZ) or 2.5 g CTZ+30 g dry fat diet/kg concentrate(CTZ+FAT), respectively for 8 weeks. Results showed that ejaculate volume, percentages of progressive motility, livability, and abnormality of spermatozoa, sperm concentration, as well as sperm counts (total, motile, live, normal and functional) per ejaculate were improved (P<0.05) by CTZ-diet. CTZ+FAT diet improved (P<0.05) all previous traits, except percentage of sperm abnormality. The viable sperm percentage was higher (P<0.05), while the percentage of necrotic spermatozoa was lower (P<0.05) with CTZ or CTZ+FAT diets. apoptotic spermatozoa percent was not affected significantly by treatments. The percentage of sub G1 was decreased (P<0.05) while haploid percentage increased (P<0.05) by CTZ and CTZ+FAT diets. The diploid and spermatid percentages were not affected by CTZ. Peroxidation marker (MDA) was decreased (P<0.05) while activity of GSH, CAT, and GPxwereincreased (P<0.05) by CTZ alone. CTZ+FAT dietrestore (P<0.05) the depleted levels of antioxidant enzyme and MDA to their values in CG. Serum testosterone did not differ, but testosterone level was higher (P<0.05) in CTZ than in CTZ+FAT in the seminal plasma. Insignificant differences in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea concentrations while serum activity of AST and ALT was significantly (P<0.05) increased by CTZ+FAT treatment as compared to CG.The dietary chitosan supplementation at a level of 2.5 g/kg for 8 week-interval pre-semen collection has a vital role on scavenging the negative effects of oxidative stress in the seminal plasma of bucks fed control or high-fat diets. Thus, chitosan could be safely used in Zaraibi buck's diets to improve semen quality and antioxidant defense system and to potentiate the reproduction of goat males.
This study evaluated the dietary allicin supplementation on reproductive performance, milk production, blood parameters, and antioxidant status of ewes and the performance of their lambs during May breeding season. Crossbred ewes (n=48, 1/2 Finish Landrace x 1/2 Ossimi) with 2-5 y old at late pregnancy were distributed into four groups, 12 ewes in each. The controls were fed a control diet without supplementation. The other three groups were fed the same diet supplemented with allicin at the level of 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 g/kg, respectively. The experimental period lasted 150 days (45 d prepartum, 60 d suckling, and 45 d post-partum. Results showed that allicin (0.8 and 1.2 g/kg) had positive impacts (P<0.05) on ewe weight prepartum, and at lambing, suckling, and mating. Milk yield as 6% fat corrected milk, and fat and total solids per cent in milk increased (P<0.05) by allicin levels. Allicin (1.2 g/kg) improved (P<0.05) rates of estrus, pregnancy, lambing, and litter size. RBCs, hemoglobin, and neutrophils increased (P<0.05) by allicin (0.8 or 1.2 g/kg). WBCs increased (P<0.05) by allicin (1.2 g/kg), but lymphocytes and monocytes increased (P<0.5) by all levels. Allicin (0.8 and 1.2 g/kg) increased (P<0.05) total proteins and globulin, while decreased (P<0.05) creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Allicin supplementation reduced MDA and increased GSH, SOD, Gxp, catalase, and GPx. Allicin treatment of ewes (0.8 and 1.2 g/kg) increased (P<0.05) LBW and weight gain (total and daily) from birth to weaning, IgG, GSH, SOD, catalase, and GPx, while decreased MDA in blood serum of their lambs. Allicin dietary supplementation (1.2 g/kg) pre-May breeding season enhanced the productivity and general health of crossbred ewes and their lambs. Allicin exerts these positive impacts via its ability as a scavenger of free radicals by enhancing the endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, metabolism, immunity, and reproduction.
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