Boar sperm quality after supplementation of diets with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids extracted from microalgae

Abstract

This study evaluated effects of diet supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from microalgae on boar sperm quality. Two groups of boars (n = 3 each) were fed during 75 days either a commercial diet (control), or the same diet supplemented with omega-3 PUFA from the heterotrophic microalgae Schizochytrium sp. (120 g/kg). Sixteen ejaculates were collected per boar. Some sperm kinetics parameters were inferior for supplemented than for control boars (p < .05): distance average path; distance in both curved and straight line; velocity average path, velocity in both curved and straight line; and amplitude of lateral head displacement. Spermatozoa from supplemented boars presented lower mitochondrial functionality, but greater membrane fluidity compared to the control group (p < .01). Membrane and acrosome integrity, production of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation did not differ (p > .05). Serum cholesterol levels were greater (p < .05) for supplemented than for control boars at the 30th and 60th d of supplementation, but levels of triglycerides and IGF-1 did not differ (p > .05). Compared to the control, spermatozoa of supplemented boars were slower, travelled shorter distances and presented impaired energy metabolism, but their greater membrane fluidity may potentially favour their cryopreservation.

An update on boar semen assessments by flow cytometry and CASA

“…H 2 DCFDA is stable, non-fluorescent cell-permeable probe, which de-esterifies intracellular leaving impermeant, non-fluorescent, H 2 DCF. In the presence of intracellular H 2 O 2 it forms 2′,7′dichlorofluorescein (DCF) which emits a fluorescence at 530 nm [42][43][44][45]. Other variants of this probe include CM-H 2 DCFDA, which is better retained in live cells than H 2 DCFDA, and Carboxyl-H2DCFDA (carboxylated H 2 DCFDA analog, [46,47]).…”

Effects of supplying omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to gilts after weaning on metabolism and ovarian gene expression1

“…(All-G-Rich, Alltech Inc., Araucária, PR, Brazil) containing 140 g/kg DHA. The fatty acid profile of the microalgae has been described elsewhere (Andriola et al, 2017;Posser et al, 2018). Therefore, each gilt was supplemented with 3.5-g DHA daily, as reported in other studies (Smits et al, 2011;Moreira et al, 2016).…”

“…In humans and mice, triglycerides serum levels were reduced after supplementation with omega-3 PUFA (Harris and Bulchandani, 2006). In swine, reduced cholesterol levels were reported for prepubertal gilts supplemented with fish oil (Moreira et al, 2016), but increased cholesterol levels occurred for boars supplemented with microalgae (Andriola et al, 2017). As cholesterol is the precursor of steroid hormones, omega-3 PUFA may affect steroidogenesis, as the action of some enzymes with relevant role in steroidogenesis is controlled by the expression of genes that share common pathways with hormones involved in steroid production.…”

Cultivation and Biorefinery of Microalgae (Chlorella sp.) for Producing Biofuels and Other Byproducts: A Review

“…EPA, DHA, and antioxidants in microalgae can reduce the total cholesterol of animals and the oxidation rate of meat during storage [179]. Feed containing microalgae could increase the amount of boar sperm, the secretion of sow's milk and the survival rate of piglets [180]. A DHA-rich microalga as a dietary supplement would increase the carcass traits and meat fatty acid profile in growing-finishing pigs [181].…”