Effects of supplemental conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on fresh and post-thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls.
This study was designed to investigate the effects of feeding-protected conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the semen production and sperm freezability in Holstein bulls. Twelve bulls were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 6 per group). Bulls received the normal diet (control group) or the normal diet top-dressed with 50 g of CLA (treated group) for 10 weeks. The control group received 40 g/day calcium soap of fatty acid. Fresh and post-thaw semen quality was assessed on ejaculates collected at the 0, 4, 6, 8 and 10 week of supplementation. Semen evaluations including sperm concentration, motion characteristics (subjective and computer-assisted), viability (Eosin-Nigrosin), membrane integrity (hypo-osmotic swelling test) and abnormality were conducted. Semen volume, sperm concentration and total sperm output were not affected by dietary treatment (p > .05). The proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology in fresh semen significantly increased (p < .05) in the CLA-fed group compared to control group. Also, in CLA-fed group, the proportion of post-thaw spermatozoa with abnormal morphology at week 10 of trial was significantly higher in CLA than control group (p < .05). Progressive motility tended to be increased in the CLA-fed group, although dietary supplementation did not affect other CASA parameters or viability in fresh and frozen-thawed sperm. In this study, CLA supplementation had little positive effect on fresh or post-thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls.
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science & Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
R
R
Karimi
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science & Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
A
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3288-1709
A
Towhidi
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science & Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
S
S
Zeinoaldini
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science & Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
K
K
Rezayazdi
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Science & Engineering, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
M
M
Mousavi
NDJ Company, Karaj, Iran.
H
H
Safari
INDEGSAL and Molecular Biology, University of León, León, Spain.
F
F
Martinez-Pastor
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D015925:Cryopreservation; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005227:Fatty Acids; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D012662:Semen Preservation; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
D005227:Fatty Acids; D044243:Linoleic Acids, Conjugated
bull; conjugated linoleic acid (CLA); freezing; sperm