Effect of dietary vitamin E on the sperm quality of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

Abstract

A 3-month feeding experiment was conducted in an in-door seawater system to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E (Ve) on the sperm quality of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). D-α-tocopherol acetate was supplemented to the basal (control) diet (65.14 mg kg -1 Ve) to obtain low and high levels of dietary Ve (244.60 mg kg -1 , LVe; 721.60 mg kg -1 , HVe). Compared with the control, sperm concentration was significantly increased in Ve-supplemented groups (LVe and HVe); while relative sperm volume and testis-somatic index were significantly increased in group HVe only. Sperm motility duration was significantly longer in group HVe than in the control, but no significant difference was observed in percent motility among groups. Sperm size, the uniformity of mitochondrial size, and the integrity of mitochondria cristae and plasma membrane were improved by dietary Ve, especially in HVe. The content of Ve in testis and liver as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids in sperm increased with dietary Ve. These results suggested that dietary Ve, especially at the high level (721.60 mg kg -1 ), significantly improved sperm concentration and motility duration and maintained normal sperm morphology of turbot.

<strong>Antioxidant and Potential Non-antioxidant Roles of Vitamin E in Reproduction of Male Domestic Animals</strong>

“…Vitamin E improved ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm output, sperm motility as well as decreased percentage of dead sperm and abnormal sperm in rabbits (Hashem, El-Hady, & Hassan, 2013;Yousef, 2010;Yousef et al, 2003). Percentage of progressively motile sperm and sperm viability, sperm motility, sperm count, morphology rate, plasma membrane integrity and libido were also improved in rats, roosters, turbot, boar and sheep (Lin et al, 2005;Moumeni, Soleymani, Abnousi, & Mahmoudi, 2009;Ozer Kaya et al, 2020;Umesiobi, 2012;H. Xu, Huang, Liang, Zheng, & Wang, 2015;Yue et al, 2010).…”

The importance of vitamin E for farmed fish—A review

“…[151][152][153][154][155] VE can also improve sperm quality and protect sperm cells from oxidation. 156,157 On the other hand, VE-deficient diets may produce immature gonads and decrease egg fertilization and hatchability and larval survival. 153,156,158,159 When zebrafish (Danio rerio) 159,160 and goldfish Vitamin E has been reported to mobilize (mainly via lipoproteins) from peripheral tissues during vitellogenesis in different fish species.…”

Effects of dietary vitamin E on male reproductive system

“…The feeding of this vitamin has useful effects on the reproductive performance of boar, rabbit and rams [39]. Similarly the supplementation of this vitamin has the constructive effects on reproductive system of cockerel, rats, dog and fish [40][41][42]. Spermatozoa require the ROS for normal functions like acrosome functions, capacitation and fusion of spermatozoa during the processes of fertilizations [43].…”

“…The size of sperm and plasma membrane integrity was higher in lower and control group as compared to control. [42] Male rats Vitamin 100 mg/kg orally for 40 d Improvement of semen quality parameters (sperm count, motility and normal morphology) and testosterone.…”