Oxidative status and semen characteristics of rabbit buck as affected by dietary

Abstract

International audienceThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of long chain fatty acids (C $\geq$ 20 LCP) of the n-3 series, vitamin E and vitamin C on the antioxidant capacity of rabbit buck and on semen characteristics. Fifty male rabbits at 30 days were randomly assigned to five different diets: Control (50 mg$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ diet $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate), Vitamin E (200 mg$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ diet $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate), n-3 (2% ROPUFA oil + 50 mg$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ diet $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate), n-3 + E (2% ROPUFA oil + 200 mg$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ diet $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate) and n-3 + E C (2% ROPUFA oil + 200 mg$\cdot$kg$^{-1}$ diet $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate + 0.5 g$\cdot$L$^{-1}$ vitamin C in the drinking water). The levels of vitamins E and C and reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) in the blood plasma were evaluated at different ages. The antioxidant capacity and ROMs of seminal plasma, the fatty acid profile of sperm phospholipids, the semen traits and the oxidative processes during storage (24 h at + 4 °C) were carried out weekly for 5 wk starting from the 5th month of age. Vitamin E addition showed enough antioxidant protection only when associated with no lipid enriched diets. The n-3 supplementation modified the fatty acid profile of the spermatozoa membrane and simultaneously enhanced oxidative processes. Only the association with supranutritional levels of vitamins E and C inhibited the oxidative processes and improved the characteristics of fresh and stored rabbit semen

Effect of lycopene supplementation on semen quality and reproductive performance in rabbit

“…After storage, a general decrease in the quality of semen, regardless of the experimental treatment, was observed. Similar results have been reported previously in rabbit (Castellini et al, 2003) and fowl (Mangiagalli et al, 2007) semen after liquid storage.…”

“…In male rabbits given drinking water supplemented with vitamin E, Yousef et al (2003) found a significant improvement in sperm volume and concentration. In contrast, Castellini et al (2001Castellini et al ( , 2003 found no positive effect on the same sperm parameters in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with vitamin E and C.…”

“…The presence of unsaturated fatty acids increases the susceptibility of spermatozoa to peroxidation, which contributes to a negative effect on semen quality (de Lamirande et al, 1997;Bansal and Bilaspuri, 2011). According to some authors (Mournaki et al, 2010;Castellini et al, 1999Castellini et al, , 2003Castellini, 2008), the administration of antioxidants such as vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C, and carotenoids may reduce the oxidative stress and improve sperm motility (Agarwal et al, 2004). In particular, the role of antioxidants is to contrast the spermatic cell membrane lipid peroxidation and sperm DNA fragmentation caused by reactive oxygen species, responsible for male infertility in animals and man (Baker et al, 1996;Comhaire et al, 2000;Aitken et al, 2003;Greco et al, 2005).…”

The detoxication of nitrate by two antioxidants or a probiotic, and the effects on blood and seminal plasma profiles and reproductive function of New Zealand White rabbit bucks

“…Umar et al (2010) also reported similar results when Vit C or Vit E was supplemented to rabbits. In addition, Castellini et al (2003) and Yasmina and Abdennour (2008) concluded that Vit C protected testicular tissues and sperms from mercury intoxication and inhibited the oxidative stress increased glutathione concentration and improved quality of fresh and stored rabbits' semen. In addition to the improvements in blood plasma biochemical indices, Vit C or Vit E with Se or probiotic supplementation also overcame the negative effect of 700 ppm of nitrate on seminal plasma total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, testosterone, AST and ALT activity.…”

Effects of dietary n-3 fatty acids on characteristics and lipid composition of ovine sperm

“…Such properties may affect the ability of the plasma membrane to accommodate the characteristic flagella motion of the sperm (Castellini et al, 2003). The function of PUFAs, particularly DHA in the testis, has been also related to their possible effects on the packing of membrane-bound receptors and activity of membrane-bounding enzymes as enzymes associated in spermatozoon-oocyte cross-talk, secondary messenger systems and membrane resistance in physical and chemical stress (Lenzi et al, 1996).…”