The effects of addition of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids on the quality of bovine chilled and frozen-thawed sperm

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids on the characteristics of bovine chilled and frozen-thawed semen. For this purpose, oil containing different levels of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids were added to semen extender. To emulsify the oil in semen extender, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added as a suitable solvent and the solution was finally sonicated. Five proven Holstein bulls were randomly selected and their ejaculates were collected using an artificial vagina. Groups were designed as control, treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4. The control group contained only the basic extender (Tris-citrate buffer, egg yolk and glycerol) without any additives. In treatment 1, only 5% PEG was added to the diluent; while in treatments 2, 3 and 4 different concentrations of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0%) in combination with PEG were added to the basic extender. After dilution, the semen samples were packaged into 0.5 ml straws, a process that was followed by cooling the semen straws. Motility, viability and morphology of semen samples were evaluated after 24 and 48 h of storage in refrigerator (5 ˚C) or after one month of storage in the liquid nitrogen. Immotility was increased and all the other parameters including motility, viability and morphology were significantly decreased in all the groups compared with fresh samples during cold storage and freezing-thawing. Our results demonstrated the following: 1) PEG has significant detrimental effects, especially on the sperm motility; 2) addition of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids could not improve the sperm motility in chilled storage condition and after freezing-thawing; and 3) omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acidscould not also attenuate the other deleterious effects of PEG. In conclusion, our findings reveal that addition of these fatty acids to the semen extender does not enhance the resistance of the bovine sperm membrane to cooling and freezing-thawing and that further studies are required to find suitable candidate compounds that can boost the quality of semen that is chilled and freeze-thawed

Reproductive Development and Function of Brahman Bulls Fed Diets Containing Gossypol

Last updated: 6/9/200

The effects of addition of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids on the quality of bovine chilled and frozen-thawed sperm

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids on the characteristics of bovine chilled and frozen-thawed semen. For this purpose, oil containing different levels of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids were added to semen extender. To emulsify the oil in semen extender, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was added as a suitable solvent and the solution was finally sonicated. Five proven Holstein bulls were randomly selected and their ejaculates were collected using an artificial vagina. Groups were designed as control, treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4. The control group contained only the basic extender (Tris-citrate buffer, egg yolk and glycerol) without any additives. In treatment 1, only 5% PEG was added to the diluent; while in treatments 2, 3 and 4 different concentrations of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0%) in combination with PEG were added to the basic extender. After dilution, the semen samples were packaged into 0.5 ml straws, a process that was followed by cooling the semen straws. Motility, viability and morphology of semen samples were evaluated after 24 and 48 h of storage in refrigerator (5 ˚C) or after one month of storage in the liquid nitrogen. Immotility was increased and all the other parameters including motility, viability and morphology were significantly decreased in all the groups compared with fresh samples during cold storage and freezing-thawing. Our results demonstrated the following: 1) PEG has significant detrimental effects, especially on the sperm motility; 2) addition of omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids could not improve the sperm motility in chilled storage condition and after freezing-thawing; and 3) omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acidscould not also attenuate the other deleterious effects of PEG. In conclusion, our findings reveal that addition of these fatty acids to the semen extender does not enhance the resistance of the bovine sperm membrane to cooling and freezing-thawing and that further studies are required to find suitable candidate compounds that can boost the quality of semen that is chilled and freeze-thawed.Keywords: Bull, Cyropreservation, Omega-3, 6, 9 fatty acids, Semen qualit

The Effect of asafetida Gum Extract on Blood Parameters and Histopathology of Testes in Male Wistar Rat

Ferula (Ferula assafetida) is a perennial plant which belongs to Umbelliferea family is grow in a wide range of arid and semi-arid regions in Iran. Ferulla assafetida contains compounds including coumarins and sesquiterpens that has been traditionally used to treat diseases such as nervous disorders, asthma, gastrointestinal disease and epilepsy.. Effects of asafetida gum extract on blood parameters and histopathology of testes in male Wistar rat were studied using 32 rats with the initial body weight of 252 ± 4.3 g which randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 rats each the animals were injected with normal saline (control), and 75, 150 and 300 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight of asafetida gum extract respectively. The result showed that, 300mg/kg asafetida gum extract caused adverse effects on blood cholesterol, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) concentration, while 75 mg/kg had positive effects on above-mentioned parameters. Serum testosterone significantly decreased by increasing the level of asafetida gum extract and 300 mg/kg group had the lowest serum testosterone concentration. The numbers of Leydig cell layers were suppressed in asafetida-treated animals in comparison with the control. In conclusion, therapeutic effects of asafetida gum extract are dose-dependent and the level 300 mg/kg caused adverse impacts on metabolites and reproductive performance in male Wistar rats. The refers more in vivo studies with bigger experiment population are required