Organic zinc and copper supplementation on antioxidant protective mechanism and their correlation with sperm functional characteristics in goats

Abstract

Trace minerals feeding had significant effects on sperm production and fertility with better absorption and proper utilization within the body for optimum reproductive function. Several studies have shown that more influenced trace elements in the diets of animals are copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). Bucks showing deficiency of this mineral might affect the quality of semen production which in turn would affect the fertility. This experiment was thus designed to test the effects of organic Cu and Zn supplementation on antioxidants enzyme activities and sperm functional attributes in fresh semen of bucks. Forty bucks (n = 40, Aged 5 months) were assigned to ten groups of four animals in each group, supplemented (for a period of 8 months) with different levels of organic Zn: 20 mg (T2), 40 mg (T3) and 60 mg (T4), organic Cu: 12.5 mg (T5), 25 mg (T6), 37.5 mg (T7) and combined organic Zn and Cu: 20 + 12.5 mg (T8), 40 + 25 mg (T9), 60 + 37.5 mg (T10), respectively, per kg dry matter and no additional mineral diet (control; T1). One hundred and sixty semen samples were collected through electro-ejaculator and analysed for sperm quantity, quality, acrosome intactness and plasma membrane integrity and correlated with the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities in seminal plasma. The results indicated organic Cu and zinc supplemented bucks produced more sperm cells, had higher sperm concentrations, maintained higher (p < .01) sperm livability, plasma membrane and acrosome integrities, more motility and velocity. The increased antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress and lowered lipid peroxidation were positively correlated (p < .05) with the sperm functional attributes. In conclusion, organic Cu and Zn supplement to male goats showed protective roles against oxidative damage and maintained better fresh semen characteristics.

Zinc: A Necessary Ion for Mammalian Sperm Fertilization Competency

“…Additional Zn 2+ becomes incorporated into spermatozoa during ejaculation [21,45] where it is believed to have protective function in terms of sperm chromatin decondensation [47,48], sperm motility and metabolic inhibition [58,61], membrane stabilization [56], and antioxidant activity [62,63]. As Zn 2+ becomes incorporated into spermatozoa upon mixing with seminal fluid, there are also seminal fluid Zn-interacting proteins competitively binding free Zn 2+ .…”

“…Such would be beneficial for inhibiting Hv1, warding off premature sperm capacitation. Goat dietary Zn 2+ supplementation increases sperm plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, and percent of viable spermatozoa, also increasing seminal fluid SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities [63]. Additionally, Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ dietary co-supplementation to bucks of the Osmanabadi goat breed allowed for them to reach puberty 28–35 days earlier [165].…”

Effect of complexed trace minerals on cumulus-oocyte complex recovery and in vitro embryo production in beef cattle1,2

“…In the present study, supplementation with 100% of trace minerals from a complexed source clearly improved metrics of reproductive performance. Although most data exists for spermatozoa, positive results have been observed in germ cell development from animals and humans supplemented with trace minerals, including increased antioxidant enzyme activity and decreased production of reactive oxygen species (Özkaya and Nazıroğlu, 2010; Shi et al, 2010; Narasimhaiah et al, 2018). Trace mineral availability may contribute to increased internal protection by the developing embryo from ROS produced via its own metabolism, through this increased enzymatic activity (Guerin et al, 2001).…”

The Role of Zinc in Male Fertility

“…The integrity of the sperm acrosome is likely to be defective in sperm with a high rate of sAR. Accordingly, a dietary supplementation of Zn 2+ to goats increases sperm acrosome integrity [ 104 ], supporting the role of Zn 2+ in preventing sAR.…”

“…It has been shown that the in vitro addition of high concentrations of Zn 2+ to bovine [ 88 ] and human [ 74 ] sperm could lead to the inhibition of several capacitation processes and reduced fertility rate [ 103 ]. Zinc has antioxidant activity and may decrease the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 104 , 105 ]. It was shown that ROS production is essential for sperm capacitation [ 106 , 107 ]; however, relatively high levels of ROS can harm sperm functions [ 108 ].…”