Effect of different dietary omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid ratios on reproduction in male rats

Abstract

BackgroundBeneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) on the reproduction of male animals are widely described in the literature. However, there is little information about the effect of n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios on male health and reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diets with different n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios on the reproductive performance of male rats.MethodsEighty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were supplemented with diets containing different n-3/n-6 PUFA ratios (0.13, 0.40, 0.85, 1.52 and 2.85) for 60 days. Half of the rats in each group were sacrificed on day 60, and the other half were chosen to mate with female mice to assess the effects of n-3/n-6 ratios on reproductive performance.ResultsSperm density and sperm motility of the 1.52 group were higher than other groups (P < .05), and the development of testis and the morphological structure of sperm in the 1.52 group were better than other groups. Furthermore, a higher litter size and birth weights of offspring were observed in the 1.52 group. Additionally, serum reproductive hormone levels were significantly affected by the n-3/n-6 ratios.ConclusionThese findings demonstrated that a balanced n-3/n-6 ratio was important in male rat reproduction. Therefore there is a necessity to determine an appropriate n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio in man and different male animals in the future.

Free Testosterone Level And Quality of Cauda Epididymis Sperm of Local Rabbit That Given Commercial Feed Supplemented By Cod Fish Liver Oil

“…Ahluwalia et al (1966) stated that degenerative changing occurs to the basofil cell from hipofisis grand toward rabbit that experiences fatty acid deficiency, it is caused by less of testosteron secretion. The result of this research is supported by (Yan, et al, 2013) that stated occur increasing level of GnRH, LH, FSH and rat testosteron that is given essential fatty acid supplemented with PUFA n-3 dan n-6 rasio in balance. Esmaeili et al…”

Histomorphometric study on testes in rams fed with linseed oil rich in omega-3 and -6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

“…Experiments carried out by other scientists demonstrated that the intake of n-3 fatty acids was beneficial to male reproductive capacity, resulting in histological and ultra-structural changes in the testis and sperm, better spermatogonial development, a larger number of germ cell layers (5), an increased total number of sperm per ejaculation, greater sperm quality, density and motility, as well as an increased membrane integrity of sperm in humans and animals (4,18,22,23,25,28), which may be related to changes in hormone metabolism (16 …”

“…The diameter of the testis in the control group was 29.85 cm, and that in the experimental group was 30 cm. When rams' diets contained n-3/n-6, the development of their testes was more intensive (16,28). The testicular parenchyma is a functional part of the testis and consists of two compartments: a tubular compartment and an interstitial one (21).…”

Roles of lipids and fatty acids through the spermatogenesis of European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

“…Again in boars, DHA and n-3 series fatty acids in sperm were positively correlated with motility (Am-in et al, 2011). Furthermore, in rats sperm motility was found to be positively correlated with the n-3/n-6 fatty acids ratio in the diet (Yan et al, 2013). Additionally, in humans sperm motility was negatively correlated to the seminal plasma concentration of n-6 series fatty acids (Safarinejad et al, 2010) and also in humans, motility has been positively correlated with the DHA levels in sperm (Nissen and Kreysel, 1983) although DHA supplementation does not affect human sperm motility (Conquer et al, 2000).…”

“…Furthermore, fatty acid supplementation in male European sea bass induced a longer spermiation period and higher milt spermatozoal concentrations ). Recently, a higher sperm concentration was found in rats fed a diet with a high n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio (Yan et al, 2013). Moreover, in humans, sperm concentration has been positively correlated with DHA levels (Nissen and Kreysel, 1983).…”