Combined effect of DHA and alpha-tocopherol enrichment on sperm quality and fertility in the turkey

Theriogenology. 2006 Jun;65(9):1813-27. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.10.013. Epub 2005 Nov 18.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to characterize the dietary effects of n-3 LC-PUFA and alpha-tocopheryl acetate (vE) on the quality, phospholipid fatty acid composition, alpha-tocopherol content (alpha-T) and in vitro susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in turkey semen. Fertility of fresh semen was also evaluated. Male turkeys were randomly divided and fed either a control diet or a fish oil and vE rich diet (FO diet) from 40 to 60 weeks of age. The FO diet increased the proportion of n-3 fatty acids in spermatozoa and as a consequence the (n-3)/(n-6) ratio also increased. These changes did not affect the proportion of n-9 PUFAs, particularly of C22:3n-9, in semen. The sperm content of alpha-T was dependent by the dietary supplementation of the vitamin and the sperm content was more than doubled supplying 120 mg kg(-1) of feed to the males compared to the 60 mg kg(-1) of feed in the control diet. In agreement with the major content of alpha-T in spermatozoa collected from the FO group were significantly less susceptible to in vitro induced oxidation. The reproductive capacity of the male breeders was not affected by the diet; however the result is considered of some relevance for field conditions where even very small changes have economic interest being applied to large bird population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Diet*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Fertility*
  • Fish Oils / administration & dosage
  • Fish Oils / chemistry
  • Lipids / analysis
  • Male
  • Semen / chemistry
  • Spermatozoa / chemistry
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Tocopherols
  • Turkeys / physiology*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / administration & dosage
  • alpha-Tocopherol / analogs & derivatives*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Fish Oils
  • Lipids
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Tocopherols