Regulation of semen quality by fatty acids in diets, extender, and semen

Abstract

Fatty acids (FAs) are classified into different types according to the degree of hydrocarbon chain saturation, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFAs) and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 PUFAs), which play an important role in maintaining semen quality. This review focuses on the regulation of FAs in semen, diet and extender on semen quality, and expounds its effects on sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, hormone content, and antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that there are species differences in the FAs profile and requirements in sperm, and their ability to regulate semen quality is also affected by the addition methods or dosages. Future research directions should focus on analyzing the FAs profiles of different species or different periods of the same species and exploring suitable addition methods, doses and mechanism of regulating semen quality.

Improving Semen Quality of rams fed with ration containing protected maggot oil

“…Lauric acid and myristic acid are small in size, so they are easily absorbed in the intestines without undergoing an enzymatic process and can be directly transported through the bloodstream to the liver to be metabolized and taken to the mitochondria for ATP formation. Oleic acid is a single chain unsaturated fatty acid that plays a role in membrane uidity in sperm and can prevent the adverse effects of high-fat feeding on sperm quality by increasing sperm motility (Yuan et al, 2023). Based on research conducted by Zhu et al…”

Camellia oil with its rich in fatty acids enhances post-thawed boar sperm quality

“…This might be explained by the observation that spermatozoa absorbed and employed fatty acids from the freezing extender to counteract ROS [ 37 ]. As a result, this process led to a reduction in lipid peroxidation within their plasma membrane and internal organelles [ 38 ]. The substantial variability observed in the parameters within the current study could potentially be attributed to individual variations among boars, encompassing distinctions in sperm biochemistry, seminal plasma composition, physiological factors, polymorphisms in the testis and epididymis, as well as the presence of fatty acids, for example, palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), oleic acid (18:1, n-9), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5, n-6) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6, n-3) in the boar sperm plasma membrane which has been earlier reported [ 6 ].…”

“…According to previous studies in boar [ 33 ] and another study in buffalo [ 39 ], fatty acid antioxidants such as omegas 3, 6, 9 and DHA improved post-thawed semen quality in terms of plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. It has also been reported by many studies that supplementation of omega 3 and/or 6 in feed improve not only semen qualities in boar but also reproductive performance in sows [ 38 , 40 – 44 ]. In this study, camellia oil with its high constituent of omega 6, 9, palmitic acid and stearic acid also revealed its antioxidant capacity by protecting sperm from cryodamage associated with sperm freezing and thawing.…”

Proteomic Insights into Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa Proteins of Small-Spotted Catsharks, Scyliorhinus canicula: Implications for Reproductive Conservation in Aquariums

“…Lipids constitute a major component of teleost fish spermatozoa [73]. The fatty acid composition of spermatozoa is influenced by their diet [74,75]. The diet significantly alters the fertilizing capability of fresh sperm.…”