BACKGROUND: In traditional medicine in some Asian countries, including Iran, there is a belief that camphor is a suppressor of sexual activity. Not only has the validity of this hypothesis not been established, but also studies in this field are very limited.  OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the effects of camphor on sperm quality in mice, and to protect sperm damage vitamin E as an antioxidant was used. METHODS: This study was conducted on 30 adult male mice (balb/c) with weight range 20-25 gr in 5 groups. First group was control (CO) and treated with normal saline,  groups  2 and 3 were sham groups treated respectively with Olive oil (OL) and the combination of olive oil and vitamin E (OL+E), and finally, two experimental groups were treated using camphor (CA) and camphor with vitamin E (CA+E). Camphor at doses of 30 mg/kg/day and vitamin E at doses of 100 mg/kg/day were prepared. All materials were administered orally (gavage). After 35 days semen were collected from tail of epididymis, and then total count, motility, viability, nuclear maturity, and DNA damage were examined. RESULTS: Results showed significant reduction in sperm total count, percentage of viability, increase in  the number of immature sperms and  no significant difference in rate of motile sperms and sperms with damaged DNA in groups that received Camphor was observed. Vitamin E as a strong antioxidant administered lightly was able to reduce the effects of  Camphor on viable and mature sperms (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that Camphor could affect on mice sperm quality and vitamin E as an antioxidant,  was able to slightly reduce Camphor effects in sperm quality.

BACKGROUND: Vitamins are considered an essential part in diet of aquatic animals. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to assay the effect of different levels of vitamin E on growth performance, carcass compositions and blood parameters of common carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio). METHODS: Total number of 96 common carp fingerlings weighing 15.49 ± 3.64 g were randomly distributed into 12 fiberglass tanks in four treatments group including control (without added vitamin), 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E in three replicates and kept at a density of 8 fish per tank for 10 weeks. RESULTS: Results showed that the highest weight gain, percentage of body weight increase, mean daily growth, specific growth rate, condition factor and the lowest food conversation ratio were observed in fish fed with 200mg/kg vitamin E but no significant differences were seen compared to other treatments (p>0.05). Fish fed with 200mg/kg vitamin E had the highest (p>0.05) contents of protein and ash compared to control group. There was an increase in values of RBC, Hct and Hb in fish fed with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E in comparison with control group. Significant differences were observed in MCHC in fish fed with 100 mg/kg vitamin E compared to control and fish fed with 400 mg/kg, also treatment 200 mg/kg with treatment 400 mg/kg vitamin E (p<0.05). Fish fed vitamin E in 200 and 100 mg/kg had the highest WBC count. Fish fed with different levels of vitamin E had higher lymphocyte in comparison with control group and fish fed with 100 mg/kg had significant difference with control in lymphocyte (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E in level of 200 mg/kg can play an important role to enhance growth performance, nutrition efficiency and improving blood indices and support cell immunity in common carp fingerlings.

Dairy cows may infrequently give milk tinged with blood after calving, which is a condition termed haemolactia. Economic losses for dairy farmers are caused by cases of haemolactia because of the condemnation of such milk, potential contamination of good bulk tank milk with haemolactic milk, and need for veterinarian intervention. This study was performed to elucidate the oxidative status of dairy cows with haemolactia during the peripartum period.

Introduction: Significant improvement of sperm motility within one month effected by oral supplementation of selenium and vitamin E was described in four infertile male dogs which failed to conceive in their last three matings with different bitches. Material and Methods: The dogs (a Golden Retriever, an English Cocker Spaniel, and two Tibetan Mastiffs) were supplemented daily with selenium (Se) (0.6 mg/kg organic Se yeast) and vitamin E (vit. E) (5 mg/kg) per os for 60 days. Semen was collected on days 0, 30, 60, and 90. The sperm concentration and motility parameters were evaluated by the CASA system, sperm morphology was explored by Diff-Quick staining, and live and dead spermatozoa were differentiated by eosin/nigrosin staining. The concentrations of Se and vit. E were measured in peripheral blood serum on semen collection days. Results: Before administration, the concentrations of Se in blood plasma were low (86.0–165.0 µg/L). After 30 days of treatment there was an observable improvement in total and progressive sperm motility and kinematic parameters (VAP, VSK, VCL, ALH, BCF, and RAPID). The percentages of live and normal morphology sperm cells were also higher. There was also an observable increase in Se and vitamin E concentrations in blood serum. Bitches were successfully mated and delivered four to six puppies. Conclusion: Supplementation with Se and vit. E improved rapid sperm motility and restored fertility in infertile dogs with low Se status.

Introduction The addition of low-molecular-weight antioxidants during the freezing process improves post-thaw sperm quality. The high antioxidant potential of cryopreserved semen could have a positive effect on the motility, viability, and energy status of sperm cells and their ability to bind to the zona pellucida of oocytes. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of different concentrations and combinations of vitamins E and C in a semen extender on selected quality parameters of frozen-thawed canine spermatozoa. Material and Methods The experimental material was the semen of four mixed-breed dogs. Sperm viability (motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function) was examined at 0, 60, and 120 min in semen samples supplemented with the extender and in the controls. Results Combined supplementation with vitamins C + E at a concentration of 200 + 200 μM /1 × 10⁹ spermatozoa had the most profound effect on total sperm motility, linear motility, and the percentage of spermatozoa with intact plasma membrane and active mitochondria. Conclusion The synergistic activity of vitamins E and C had a more beneficial influence on the quality of frozen–thawed sperm than these non-enzymatic antioxidants applied separately.

Dairy cows may infrequently give milk tinged with blood after calving, which is a condition termed haemolactia. Economic losses for dairy farmers are caused by cases of haemolactia because of the condemnation of such milk, potential contamination of good bulk tank milk with haemolactic milk, and need for veterinarian intervention. This study was performed to elucidate the oxidative status of dairy cows with haemolactia during the peripartum period. Plasma glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase concentrations along with serum vitamin A, C and E concentrations were determined as indices of oxidative stress. The sampled dairy cows comprised two haemolactic (n = 11 and n = 6) and two non-haemolactic (n = 11 and n = 6) groups. On the first day when haemolactia was identified in colostrum (at mean 2.1 days after parturition), a significantly increased concentration of plasma MDA was noted in the haemolactic group. During the prepartum period, low levels of serum vitamin E were continuously observed from prepartum week 4 to the parturition day but only in the haemolactic group. These results demonstrate that continuous low levels of serum vitamin E in the prepartum period may play a pivotal role as a requisite factor in the onset of haemolactia after calving.

Introduction: Significant improvement of sperm motility within one month effected by oral supplementation of selenium and vitamin E was described in four infertile male dogs which failed to conceive in their last three matings with different bitches. Material and Methods: The dogs (a Golden Retriever, an English Cocker Spaniel, and two Tibetan Mastiffs) were supplemented daily with selenium (Se) (0.6 mg/kg organic Se yeast) and vitamin E (vit. E) (5 mg/kg) per os for 60 days. Semen was collected on days 0, 30, 60, and 90. The sperm concentration and motility parameters were evaluated by the CASA system, sperm morphology was explored by Diff-Quick staining, and live and dead spermatozoa were differentiated by eosin/nigrosin staining. The concentrations of Se and vit. E were measured in peripheral blood serum on semen collection days. Results: Before administration, the concentrations of Se in blood plasma were low (86.0–165.0 µg/L). After 30 days of treatment there was an observable improvement in total and progressive sperm motility and kinematic parameters (VAP, VSK, VCL, ALH, BCF, and RAPID). The percentages of live and normal morphology sperm cells were also higher. There was also an observable increase in Se and vitamin E concentrations in blood serum. Bitches were successfully mated and delivered four to six puppies. Conclusion: Supplementation with Se and vit. E improved rapid sperm motility and restored fertility in infertile dogs with low Se status.

In this study, the effect of vitamin E plus selenium (Se) application on malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, C, A and -carotene were aimed to investigate in exercised horses. For this purpose, 50 healthy Anatolian type local horse breed aged between 3-5 from Altındere Study Farm were used. The animals were divided into two equal groups. While 1st group received nothing, horses in second group were received vitamin E+Se intramuscularly. Then animals in both groups were exercised for 1500 meters. Blood samples were taken handily from all animals before and after exercise. This samples were analyzed for MDA, GSH, vitamin E, C, A and β-caroten spectrophotometrically.MDA and GSH concentration in 1st group were found to increase significantly (p<0.001) after exercise. On the other hand, serum vitamin E, C, A and β-carotene levels did not changed significantly. In the second group, serum vitamin E levels increased significantly (p<0.001) after vitamin E+selenium application. Furthermore, MDA (p<0.05) and GSH (p<0.001) levels increased significantly after exercise in the second group. Vitamin E levels decreased significantly (p<0.01) after exercise. However, vitamin A and C levels did not change significantly. In addition, in the second group, β-carotene levels were also changed significantly (p<0.05) when the values obtained before vitamin E application compared with the values obtained after vitamin E application. When comparison made between groups, while MDA and vitamin E values were statistically important (p<0.05), GSH, vitamin C, A and β-carotene values were not important statisticallyAs a result, acute exercise can increase free-radical production which, the results shows that increase in both MDA and GSH can be shown as the indicator of it. Furthermore, decrease in MDA level in vitamin E applied group the indicator of the rise in antioxidant defense and protective effect of vitamin E.

Objective: To investigate the influence of oxidative stress in terms of antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation on the probability of motor neuron disease (MND) in horses. Animals: 88 horses with MND (cases) and 49 controls. Procedures: Blood samples were collected from all horses enrolled, and RBCs and plasma were harvested. Activity of the enzyme erythrocytic superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) was determined in the RBCs. Plasma concentrations of α-tocopherols and β-carotenes and activity of glutathione peroxidase were also evaluated. Degree of lipid peroxidation was measured by determining plasma concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides. Differences were evaluated between horse groups. Results: Cases had lower erythrocyte SOD1 activity than did controls, but the difference was not significant. On the other hand, plasma vitamin E concentrations differed significantly between groups, with the cases having lower concentrations. Neither plasma vitamin A concentration nor glutathione peroxidase activity differed between groups; however, cases had significantly higher concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides (18.53μM) than did controls (12.35μM). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Horses with MND differed from those without MND by having a lower plasma concentration of vitamin E and higher concentrations of lipid hydroperoxides. Results parallel the findings in humans with sporadic amyotrophic sclerosis and provide evidence supporting the involvement of oxidative stress in the 2 conditions.

Effects of selenium (Se) deficiency and supplementation on production of colostral immunoglobulins by beef cows and transfer of antigen-specific and nonspecific immunoglobulins to their calves were examined. Eighty beef cows, with marginal to deficient Se status (blood Se concentration, 50 micrograms/L), were allotted by breed and age to 1 of 4 Se treatment groups (n = 20/group): no supplemental Se; parenteral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg of body weight; ad libitum consumption of 120 mg of Se/kg of salt-mineral mix (SMM); and parenteral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg plus ad libitum consumption of 120 mg of Se/kg of SMM. All cows were inoculated IM with lysozyme. Cows consumed Se-deficient pastures or hay (21 to 62 micrograms/kg) during the study that began at mid-gestation and ended at postpartum hour 24. Although the concentration of specific lysozyme antibodies was not affected, cows given 120 mg of Se/kg of SMM (treatments 3 and 4) had higher colostral IgG concentration (P < 0.002) than did Se-deficient cows (treatments 1 and 2). Calves from cows in treatments 3 and 4 had higher postsuckle serum concentrations of IgG (P < 0.01) than did calves from cows in treatments 1 and 2. Colostral IgM and calf serum IgM concentrations did not differ among treatments.