Effect of Supplementation with Trimethylglycine (Betaine) and/or Vitamins on Semen Quality, Fertility, Antioxidant Status, DNA Repair and Welfare of Roosters Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the influence of betaine (Bet, 1000 mg/kg), with or without vitamin C (VC, 200 mg/kg ascorbic acid) and/or vitamin E (VE, 150 mg/kg α-tocopherol acetate) on semen quality, seminal and blood plasma constituents, antioxidants’ status, DNA repair, and the welfare of chronic heat stress (CHS)-exposed roosters. A total of 54 roosters were divided into six groups of nine replicates. One group was kept under thermoneutral conditions, whereas the other five were kept under CHS. One of the five groups served as an unsupplemented CHS group, and was fed with a basal diet. The other four CHS groups were supplemented with Bet, Bet + VC, Bet + VE, and Bet + VC + VE, respectively. Our data indicate that supplementation with Bet, Bet + VC, Bet + VE, and Bet + VC + VE, resulted in complete recovery of the CHS effect on sperm concentration and livability, semen pH, and fertility compared to the thermoneutral group. Seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased with Bet, with or without vitamins, compared to the thermoneutral and CHS groups. Urea and blood plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were totally recovered with Bet, with or without vitamin treatments. Both the jejunum and ileum DNA were partially recovered following Bet, with or without vitamin supplementation. In conclusion, Bet, at 1000 mg/kg feed, may be a useful agent for increasing semen quality, fertility, welfare, and to improve the breeding strategy of breeder males in hot climates.

Impact of Heat Stress on Poultry Health and Performances, and Potential Mitigation Strategies

“…In laying hens, supplementing betaine (1000 mg/kg of feed) along with vitamin C (200 mg/kg of feed) improved laying performance during the chronic heat stress [ 125 ]. In roosters, supplementation of betaine (1000 mg/kg of feed) improved sperm concentration and livability, seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity, fertility, and welfare under chronic heat stress [ 126 ].…”

The Strategy of Boosting the Immune System Under the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Proper nutrition can help in maintaining immune systems as the frontline of defense. Researchers have believed that the deficiency of a particular nutritional element is implicated in the impaired immune responses ( 6 , 11 , 185 , 186 ). Nutrition principles based on using some dietary substances such as trace elements, vitamins, probiotics, and nutraceuticals may be helpful in the possible prevention and management of COVID-19 ( 187 ).…”

Performance, antioxidant status, nutrient retention and serum profile responses of laying Japanese quails to increasing addition levels of dietary guanidinoacetic acid

“…With regarding arginine level in the diet, supplying sufficient methyl donors such as methionine or betaine in accordance with that, is necessary and each failure into accomplishing can significantly impact performance (Keshavarz and Fuller 1971). Attia et al (2019) with betaine and Attia et al (2012Attia et al ( , 2013 with acetic acid showed improved performance and tolerance to heat stress due to their supplementation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of differing levels of GAA on egg production, antioxidant status, nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology in laying Japanese quails.…”