The Effects of Corn and Fish Oil (Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids) and Vitamin E on Fertility and Sperm Quality of Cocks
2007
Qarehdaqi, A`li Akbar | Rahimi, Sha`ban | Mirhadi, Ahmad | Meydani, Naser
Recent studies on chicken semen had suggested that the fatty acid composition of chicken spermatozoa might be an important determinant of fertility. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched diets alone or in combination with supplemental vitamin E on fatty acid composition and fertility of chicken spermatozoa. Male chickens from 32 weeks of age were received one of six diets including: 1- Control diet + 60 IU (standard requirement) vitamin E. 2- Fish oil (3% wt/wt) diet + 60 IU vitamin E. 3- Maize oil (3% wt/wt) diet + 60 IU vitamin E. 4- Control diet + 300 IU vitamin E. 5- Fish oil (3% wt/wt) diet + 300 IU vitamin E. 6- Maize oil (3% wt/wt) diet + 300 IU vitamin E. Fish oil diets were rich in docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) and maize oil diets were rich in linoleic acid (18:2n-6). From 39 to 44 weeks of age the effects of these diets on the fatty acid composition of spermatozoa and on fertility were evaluated after artificial insemination. Whatever the diet, the fatty acid composition of spermatozoa showed notable amounts of 22:4n-6 (5.78-9.34%). Supplementation with fish oil significantly increased the proportion of 22:6n-3 in the spermatozoa lipid and reduced the proportion of 22:4n-6. In addition, the fish oil diets induced a significant increase in the ratio of n-3:n-6 . The fish oil treatments had higher fertility rate compared to other treatment, while other treatments have not influenced above-mentioned parameters. The results of this study suggest that the changes of fatty acids profile of chicken spermatozoa via manipulation of diet are possible and may have significant influence on fertility.
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