Effect of vitamins,protein level and probiotics on immune response of moulted male broiler breeders

This study was planned to investigate the comparative effect of vitamins C (L‐ascorbic acid), E (DL‐α‐tocopherol acetate), probiotics, lower than normal protein level (14%) and combination of these treatments on immune response of male broiler breeders after zinc‐induced moulting. One hundred and eighty birds at the age of 65 weeks were induced to moult by mixing zinc oxide (ZnO) in feed at the rate 3000 IU/kg of feed. Upon completion of moulting, birds were divided into six groups (five replicates per group) in a completely randomized design and were fed vitamin C (500 IU/kg), vitamin E (100 IU/kg), lower protein level, probiotics (50 mg/l), and a combination of these components, while one group was kept as control. After completion of moulting phase (5 weeks), the treatment effects were tested as in vitro macrophages engulfment percentage, nitric oxide (NO) production, serum antibody titres against Newcastle disease (ND) and infectious bronchitis (IB). The results showed that in vitro macrophage engulfment percentage in unopsonized conditions was significantly higher in vitamin E‐supplemented group. In addition, in opsonized condition, the macrophage engulfment percentage was significantly higher in both vitamin E‐ and C‐supplemented groups. The NO (opsonized and unopsonized) production and antibody titre against ND and IB were significantly higher in vitamin E‐supplemented group. It was concluded that vitamin E is a better option for enhanced immune response in broiler breeders after zinc‐induced moulting.     

饲粮添加维生素E和酵母硒对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、孵化性能及蛋中维生素E和硒沉积量的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加维生素E和酵母硒对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、孵化性能及蛋中维生素E和硒(Se)沉积量的影响。试验采用3×3双因子设计,设3个维生素E添加水平(0、20、40 IU/kg)和3个Se添加水平(0、0.15、0.30 mg/kg)。选用32周龄快大型岭南黄羽肉鸡父母代种母鸡864只,根据产蛋率和体重一致性原则随机分成9个组,分别为VE_0Se_0组、VE_0Se_(0.15)组、VE_0Se_(0.30)组、VE_(20)Se_0组、VE_(20)Se_(0.15)组、VE_(20)Se_(0.30)组、VE_(40)Se_0组、VE_(40)Se_0.15组和VE_(40)Se_0.30组,每组6个重复,每个重复16只鸡。试验期8周。结果表明:1)饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平对黄羽肉种鸡的体增重、平均日产蛋量、料蛋比、平均蛋重、产蛋率、破蛋率和不合格蛋率均无显著影响(P0.05)。2)饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平对黄羽肉种鸡的蛋长径、蛋短径、蛋白高度、蛋黄颜色、哈氏单位、蛋黄重、蛋壳重和蛋壳厚度均无显著影响(P0.05)。3)饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平对黄羽肉种鸡的健雏出壳重、孵化率、弱雏率和受精率均无显著影响(P0.05)。4)饲粮中维生素E添加水平对黄羽肉种鸡血浆MDA含量有显著影响(P0.05),随饲粮中维生素E添加水平的升高血浆MDA含量呈降低趋势,其中维生素E添加水平为40 IU/kg时血浆MDA含量显著低于0 IU/kg时(P0.05);饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平对血浆MDA含量有显著交互作用(P0.05),其中VE_(40)Se_0组的血浆MDA含量显著低于VE_0Se_(0.15)和VE_0Se_(0.30)组(P0.05)。5)随饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平的升高,黄羽肉种鸡蛋中维生素E和Se含量显著增加(P0.05);饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平对蛋中维生素E和Se含量有显著交互作用(P0.05)。结果提示,维生素E可以提高黄羽肉种鸡的抗氧化水平,饲粮中维生素E和Se添加水平可以显著影响蛋中维生素E和Se的含量;建议在无任何应激因素刺激和不使用Se缺乏地区饲料原料的情况下,黄羽肉种鸡玉米-豆粕型饲粮可以不用额外添加维生素E和Se。     

Vitamin E and organic selenium enhances the antioxidative status and quality of chicken semen under high ambient temperature

1. The effects of supplemental dietary vitamin E and organic selenium (Se), and their combination, on improving semen quality characteristics and antioxidative status were investigated in cockerels exposed to high ambient temperature.

2. A total of 36 Egyptian local cross males, 40 weeks old, were housed individually in cages in an open-sided building (average daily temperature ranged from 33 to 36°C and relative humidity from 60 to 70%). Birds were divided randomly into 4 experimental treatments (n?=?9 each): (1) control (basal diet without any supplementation with vitamin E or Se); (2) vitamin E (basal diet +200?mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg diet); (3) Se (basal diet +0·3?mg organic Se/kg diet); and (4) vitamin E?+?Se (basal diet +200?mg α-tocopherol acetate/kg diet +0·3?mg organic Se/kg diet).

3. Under heat stress conditions, inclusion of vitamin E and/or organic Se in the diets enhanced the semen quality traits, including the spermatozoa count and motility, and reduced the percentage of dead spermatozoa.

4. A combination of 200?mg/kg vitamin E with 0·3?mg/kg organic Se reduced the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentration in seminal plasma samples to about 28% of the controls; and also enhanced the seminal plasma glutathione peroxidase activity by two-fold compared with controls.

5. It was concluded that dietary vitamin E in combination with organic Se has a synergistic effect in minimising lipid peroxidation and improving the antioxidative status in seminal plasma of the domestic fowl, which probably translated into enhanced spermatozoa count, motility and reduced percentage of dead spermatozoa under heat stress conditions.     

Dietary fish and evening primrose oil with vitamin E effects on semen variables in cockerels

Our aim was to determine the effect of n-3 (2%, wt/wt, fish oil rich diet) and n-6 (2%, wt/wt, evening primrose oil rich diet) fatty acid dietary supplementation and their combination with two concentrations of vitamin E (40 vs 200 mg/kg) on semen variables and on fatty acid and vitamin E profiles of spermatozoa in broiler breeders at 32, 42 and 52 weeks of age. The inclusion of fish oil in the cockerel diets increased the docosahexaenoic acid proportion in the sperm phospholipid fraction, which was almost threefold higher compared to the other two groups irrespective of vitamin E supplementation. In contrast, an increase in the proportion of total n-6 polyunsaturates, mainly 22:4n-6, was observed in the evening primrose oil group compared to the control only when the dietary content of vitamin E was increased to 200 mg/kg. Sperm concentration was decreased in the fish and evening primrose oil groups if vitamin E was 40 mg/kg, but such an effect was prevented in the fish, not the evening primrose oil group, by increasing the vitamin E to 200 mg. The proportion of motile spermatozoa was improved by the increased supplementation of vitamin E in all oil treatments.     

Semen traits and seminal plasma biochemical parameters in white leghorn layer breeders

This study was designed to determine the semen quality and seminal plasma biochemical parameters in White Leghorn layer breeders in the early phase of maturity. Individual ejaculates from 25 males were analysed for the determination of volume, sperm concentration, dead sperm percentage (DS) and sperm motility. Seminal plasma was separated and analysed for total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), paraoxonase (PON1), arylesterase, ceruloplasmin, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Our findings showed a significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between TOS and DS in layer breeders. The values of TAC were significantly negatively correlated with TOS and DS, while positively correlated with PON1. Conversely, AST showed significant negative correlation with motility and DS. Significantly, negative correlation was also observed between ALT and sperm concentration. In conclusion, these parameters provide some valuable basal data that may help better understanding the semen quality characteristics of White Leghorn layer breeders.     

In vivo adverse effects of alpha‐tocopherol on the semen quality of male bucks

Oxidative stress has detrimental effects on semen quality during spermatogenesis and semen processing for artificial insemination. This work was conducted to study the effect of different levels of vitamin E on the semen traits, oxidative status and trace minerals in Beetal bucks. Thirty‐six bucks of similar body weight and age (1 year) were randomly divided into four groups. One group was kept as control with no supplementation (group 1), and the others were supplemented with 200 (group 2), 400 (group 3) and 800 IU (group 4) vitamin E/animal/day for 2 months. At the end of the experiment, semen samples were collected and evaluated. Seminal plasma was separated to study the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe). Group 3 showed significantly higher (p < 0.05) semen volume and per cent motility and lower dead sperm percentage compared to control group. Superoxide dismutase, GPx, Zn, Cu and Mn were higher in the same group. The level of AST decreased in group 3 without any change on the concentration of ALT. It is suggested that vitamin E at the rate of 400 IU/buck/day supported higher semen volume, per cent motility, per cent live spermatozoa, antioxidants (SOD, GPx) and trace mineral levels (Zn, Cu, Mn) in the seminal plasma. The increased supplementation from 0 to 400 showed a general increasing trend in improving semen quality. However, the dose of 800 IU/kg had no useful effect in further improving the semen quality.     

大豆黄酮对肉种鸡产蛋和繁殖性能的影响

本试验旨在探索添加大豆黄酮后对肉种鸡产蛋和繁殖性能的影响。选取43周龄体况接近一致(体重、产蛋率)的肉种鸡S2系母鸡240只,随机分成4组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只:选取1组作为对照组,饲喂无大豆黄酮的基础饲粮,其余3组分别在基础饲粮基础上添加5、10、20 mg/kg大豆黄酮。再挑选20只强健的S2系公鸡采集精液,混精对试验鸡进行人工授精,试验期为15周。结果表明:与对照组相比,1)添加大豆黄酮对S2系母鸡体增重、采食量及死亡率无显著影响(P0.05)。2)添加大豆黄酮后能显著提高产蛋率(P0.05),其中10 mg/kg组产蛋率提高了4.1%(P0.05),日产蛋量提高了3.5%(P0.05),为3组最佳。5、10 mg/kg组料蛋比分别降低了8.0%和11.2%(P0.05)。3)10 mg/kg组受精率、孵化率和健雏率分别提高了13.1%、20.5%和5.8%(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加大豆黄酮能显著影响肉种鸡产蛋和繁殖性能,其中10 mg/kg组综合效果最佳。     

Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the ultrastructure and ATP concentration of boar spermatozoa, and the efficacy of added sodium selenite in extended semen on sperm motility

Three experiments evaluated the effects of dietary Se and vitamin E on the ultrastructure of spermatozoa, ATP concentration of spermatozoa, and the effects of adding sodium selenite to semen extenders on subsequent sperm motility. The experiment was a 2 x 2 arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. A total of 10 mature boars were fed from weaning to 18 mo of age diets fortified with two levels of supplemental Se (0 or .5 ppm) or vitamin E (0 or 220 IU/kg diet). The nonfortified diets contained .06 ppm Se and 4.4 IU vitamin E/kg. In Exp. 1, the spermatozoa from all boars were examined by electron microscopy. Vitamin E had no effect on structural abnormalities in the spermatozoa. When the low-Se diet was fed the acrosome or nuclei of the spermatozoa was unaffected, but the mitochondria in the tail midpiece were more oval with wider gaps between organelles. The plasma membrane connection to the tail midpiece was not tightly bound as when boars were fed Se. Immature spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets were more numerous when boars were fed the low-Se diet, but the occurrence of midpiece abnormalities occurred in boars fed diets with or without Se or vitamin E. Our results suggest that Se may enhance spermatozoa maturation in the epididymis and may reduce the number of sperm with cytoplasmic droplets. In Exp. 2, the concentration of ATP in the spermatozoa was evaluated in the semen of all treatment boars. When the low-Se diet was fed, ATP concentration was lower (P < .01), whereas vitamin E had no effect on ATP concentration. Experiment 3 investigated the effect of diluting boar semen with a semen extender with sodium selenite added at 0, .3, .6, or .9 ppm Se. Three ejaculates from each boar were used to evaluate these effects on sperm motility to 48 h after dilution. Sperm motility declined (P < .01) when Se was added to the extender, and this decline was exacerbated as the concentration of added Se increased (P < .01). The added Se was demonstrated to be tightly adhered to the spermatozoa. Overall, these results suggest that low Se-diets fed to boars resulted in abnormal spermatozoal mitochondria, a lower ATP concentration in the spermatozoa, and a loose apposition of the plasma membrane to the helical coil of the tail midpiece, but no effect from inadequate vitamin E was demonstrated. Adding sodium selenite to the semen extender reduced sperm cell motility.     

Influence of high levels of vitamin E on semen parameters of cocks

This study was an attempt to find whether the reproductive performance of cocks would be influenced by oral administration of different amounts of dietary vitamin E over a long period of time. For that purpose 60 cocks were divided into five dietary groups of 12 animals each, and supplemented with 0 (control group), 100, 1,000, 10,000 or 20,000 IU alpha-tocopherol/kg diet, respectively, over a period of 12 months. The effect on semen parameters and biochemical parameters measured in pooled semen samples and the weight of the testes were determined. The weight of testes decreased with increasing amounts of supplemented vitamin E. Volume, pH, colour, consistency and motility were not influenced by the diets, but density of ejaculate (sperm/microl), total amount of spermatozoa and morphology of sperm were significantly lowered by increasing amounts of supplemented vitamin E. The alpha-tocopherol concentration in ejaculates increased significantly in relation to the diet whereas phospholipid content and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) of the semen samples decreased significantly with increasing vitamin E supplementation. The reproductive performance of cocks was negatively influenced by high doses of vitamin E although decreased TBARS indicated rising oxidative defence.     

The effects of heat stress and sperm quality classification on broiler breeder male fertility and semen ion concentrations

1. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of heat exposure on fertility, semen quality, and semen ion concentrations of broiler breeders classified on sperm quality index (SQI) before heat stress. 2. Cobb males (108) were individually caged in 6 temperature-controlled rooms. Each room contained an equal number of males from each of the 4 SQI population quartiles as follows: best (B), good (G), fair (F), and poor (P). Three rooms were heated to 35 degrees C, and the other three rooms were maintained at a constant 23 degrees C as controls. For each SQI group in each room, 15 Leghorn hens were artificially inseminated (5 x 10(7) sperm/hen) once a week for 8 weeks for fertility observations. 3. Body weight, sperm concentration, SQI, and fertility of P males were lower than in the other three SQI groups. Body temperature of the top three SQI groups was increased by heat exposure, but body temperature was not altered by heat stress in the P group. Fertility, sperm viability, and SQI of the top three SQI groups, but not the P group, was decreased by heat stress. Seminal plasma K+ of P males was lower than that of B males. However, seminal plasma Ca2+ concentration of P males was higher than that of B males. 4. In conclusion, high ambient temperatures had more impact on semen quality and fertility of males in the top 75% of the SQI population than in males in the bottom 25% of the population. In addition, calcium ions (Ca2+) appear to play a major role in heat stress infertility.     

Effect of feeding T-2 toxin contaminated feed on the utilisation of vitamin E in chickens

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of experimental T-2 toxin load (2.35 mg/kg of feed) and vitamin E supply in the drinking water (10.5 mg/bird/day) on vitamin E levels of the blood plasma and liver in broiler chickens in a 14-day experiment. It was found that T-2 toxin load did not influence vitamin E content of the blood plasma except at day 3 after the toxin load when a moderate increase was detected in plasma vitamin E. No significant changes were found in vitamin E content of the liver. The simultaneous use of high-dose vitamin E supplementation and T-2 toxin load caused a significantly higher plasma vitamin E content but the changes were less expressed in the group subjected to T-2 toxin load. Vitamin E supply also resulted in a marked and significant increase in vitamin E concentrations of the liver on days 3 and 7 even in the T-2 loaded group, but this concentration significantly decreased thereafter. The results show that T-2 contamination of the diet has an adverse effect on the utilisation of vitamin E in broiler chickens.     

Meat quality of heat stress exposed broilers and effect of protein and vitamin E

1. This study was designed to determine the effects of heat stress exposure on broiler fattening performance, meat quality and microbial counts.

2. Six groups were established: CHP (24°C?+?210?g/kg crude protein (CP)), SHP (34°C?+?210?g/kg CP), CLP (24°C?+?190?g/kg CP), SLP (34°C?+?190?g/kg CP), SHPVE (34°C?+?210?g/kg CP?+?Vitamin E) and SLPVE (34°C?+?190?g/kg CP?+?Vitamin E) groups.

3. It was determined that the body weights of the male animals included in Group CHP displayed statistically significant differences in comparison to those of Groups SHP, CLP and SLP. Furthermore, it was ascertained that the values of Group CLP also displayed statistically significant differences in comparison to those of Groups CHP, SHP and SLP. The feed consumptions in Groups CHP and CLP were significantly different from those of the remaining groups, excluding Group SHP. The highest feed conversion rate was determined in Group SHPVE.

4. When evaluated for chicken drumstick TBA values, Group CHP differed significantly from Groups SHP, SHPVE, CLP and SLP, whilst Group CLP differed significantly from Groups SHP, SHPVE and SLP. On the other hand, when evaluated for breast meat TBA values, Group CHP displayed statistically significant differences in comparison to Groups SHP, SLP and SLPVE, whilst Group CLP differed significantly from Groups CHP, SHP, SLP and SLPVE.

5. The sensitivity of breast meat to colour susceptibility was greater than that of chicken drumsticks. While storage period affected the TBA values and microbial counts of meat significantly, its effect on colour parameters was found to be variable. Trial groups significantly affected total aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts in chicken drumsticks, and Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts in breast meat.

6. In conclusion, heat stress adversely affected final body weights and the lipid oxidation of meat, whilst vitamin E alleviated these adverse effects.     

The physiological and production effects of increased dietary intake of vitamins E and C in feedlot cattle challenged with bovine herpesvirus 1

The physiological and production effects of feeding additional vitamin E and ruminally protected vitamin C were examined in cattle challenged with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV 1). Forty-eight individually penned 6-mo-old Angus and Angus crossbred heifer calves with a mean BW of 151 kg were allocated randomly to four diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Pelleted diets provided either 15 or 185 IU/kg of DM of vitamin E, with or without 3.7 g of ruminally protected vitamin C/kg of DM. Blood samples were taken at start of the experiment and at wk 4, 5, and 6. At the start of wk 5, half of each of the dietary groups was challenged with BHV 1. Feeding additional vitamin E was associated with greater (P < 0.001) mean plasma alpha-tocopherol. In contrast, feeding ruminally protected vitamin C was not associated with greater (P = 0.59) mean plasma ascorbate concentration; however, feeding ruminally protected vitamin C was associated with lower (P = 0.03) mean blood total superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD and Mn SOD) concentration. Calves fed additional vitamin E had greater (P = 0.05) mean plasma beta-carotene concentrations. There were interactions between dietary intake of vitamins E and C with respect to serum ceruloplasmin concentration (P = 0.01) and G:F (P = 0.05). Bovine herpesvirus 1 challenge was associated with lower white cell count (P = 0.007), lymphocyte count (P < 0.001), and DMI (P = 0.03). Feeding additional vitamin E to calves challenged with BHV 1 was associated with a lower (P = 0.03) serum ceruloplasmin concentration. There was a non-significant trend towards an interaction (P = 0.06) between the feeding of vitamins E and C, with virus-challenged calves fed additional vitamin E alone having greater plasma retinol concentrations. The feeding of vitamins E and/or C in calves challenged with BHV 1 was associated with alterations in the concentrations of other antioxidants. More severe disease may have translated these cellular effects to changes in health and performance.     

Effects of dietary vitamin E and C supplementation on heart failure in fast growing commercial broiler chickens

1. It has recently been shown that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in broiler chickens. Vitamins E and C, common antioxidants, have been advocated for the prevention of heart failure in humans. The present study examines the effects of supplementation of these vitamins on incidence of CHF and prevention of oxidative stress in the myocardium.

2. Commercial male broilers were randomly allocated to three experimental groups and, respectively, offered commercial broiler diet (control), commercial diets fortified with vitamin E (960 IU/kg) or vitamin C (400 mg/kg). The broilers were monitored daily for overt signs of heart failure and clinical data including ECG and blood gas analysis were collected periodically. Lipid peroxidation was measured in cardiac tissues from apparently normal broilers and broilers developing CHF in each group using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay.

3. Overall, the incidence of CHF in broilers given diets fortified with vitamin E or vitamin C was not significantly different as compared to the control group. The incidence of overt signs of hypoxaemia was lower in the vitamin C group than in the control group. Lipid peroxidation was highest in broilers that developed CHF as compared to apparently normal broilers fed either vitamin E or C fortified diets. Neither vitamin E nor vitamin C was effective in preventing oxidative damage in broilers that developed CHF.

4. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure in broilers, but dietary supplementation of antioxidant vitamins did not prevent oxidative damage in broilers that developed CHF. Beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation were evidenced by lower incidence of hypoxaemia, and the tendency to reduce the susceptibility of broilers to heart failure. However, vitamin E did not have any impact on clinical status or the incidence of CHF.     

γ-氨基丁酸对热应激肉种鸡产蛋性能和繁殖性能的影响

本试验旨在研究γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)对热应激条件下肉种鸡产蛋性能和繁殖性能的影响,并从血清抗氧化和免疫功能及肝功能相关酶活等方面探讨其作用机理。选取360只28周龄岭南黄肉种鸡,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复30只鸡,分别在基础饲粮添加0(对照)、25、50、75 mg/kg GABA。预试期14 d,正试期56 d。结果显示:与对照组比,1)添加75 mg/kg GABA显著提高了肉种鸡产蛋率、平均蛋重和料蛋比(P<0.05),并显著提高了种蛋的受精率、孵化率、雏鸡初生重(P<0.05)及出雏率(P<0.01);添加25和50 mg/kg GABA也显著提高了种蛋孵化率和出雏率(P<0.05),添加25 mg/kg GABA还显著提高了雏鸡初生重(P<0.05)。2)添加75 mg/kg GABA显著提高了血清免疫球蛋白A(IgA)和免疫球蛋白M(IgM)及补体C4含量(P<0.05);添加25 mg/kg GABA也显著提高了血清IgM含量(P<0.05)。3)添加75 mg/kg GABA显著提高了血清超氧化物歧化酶活性和血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P<0.05)及总抗氧化能力(P<0.01),降低了血清丙二醛浓度(P<0.01);添加25 mg/kg GABA也显著降低了血清丙二醛浓度(P<0.05)。结果提示,饲粮中添加GABA具有提高热应激条件下肉种鸡产蛋性能和繁殖性能的作用。     

Economic effects of increased vitamin E supplementation of broiler diets on commercial broiler production

1. The economic effects of increased vitamin E supplementation in 168 commercial broiler flocks incorporating over 3 million birds was assessed using a computerised data retrieval system.

2. Approximately half of the flocks were fed on either a high (163 mg/kg) vitamin E or on a normal (44 mg/kg) vitamin E‐containing diet throughout production.

3. Approximately half of the flocks were the progeny of breeder flocks which had been fed on a high vitamin E‐containing diet throughout production.

4. The improvement in target income in the vitamin E‐supplemented broiler flocks was 8–44% (P < 0.01).

5. The residual improvement in target income in these flocks, after the cost of the additional vitamin E was taken into account, was 2.74% and failed to reach statistical significance.

6. The increased net income was achieved by a significantly improved food conversion ratio and average weight per bird (P < 0.05).

7. There was no overall effect of vitamin E supplementation of broiler breeders on subsequent broiler performance.     

Effect of Daily Food Supplementation with Essential Fatty Acids on Canine Semen Quality

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are important membrane components that influence membrane integrity and fluidity. In the present study, the effect of oral supplementation for 60 days with essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6 and 9) and vitamin E on canine semen quality was evaluated. Sixteen dogs were selected for the experiment; eight were used as the control group and eight received the fatty acid supplemented diet for 60 days. Semen samples were taken every 15 days during the entire experimental period and were analyzed for volume (ml), motility (%), vigour (0–5), concentration (×10⁶/ml), morphology of spermatozoa (%), plasma membrane integrity (%; using the hyposmotic swelling test) and thermoresistance (motility and vigour after 4 h at 38°C). We concluded that, daily supplementation with omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids, together with vitamin E, for a period of 60 days, significantly increased the semen volume of the treated group after 15 days of supplementation; the vigour and concentration of spermatozoa were superior after the first month of supplementation, while the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa decreased and the cells were protected against thermal stress.     

低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、孵化性能和氮排放的影响

本试验旨在研究低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡生产性能、蛋品质、孵化性能和氮排放的影响。选用30周龄健康的快大型岭南黄羽肉种母鸡288只,根据体重和产蛋率相近原则,随机分为4个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。各组饲粮粗蛋白质(CP)水平分别为16%(对照组)、15%、14%、13%,各组的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、色氨酸、苏氨酸、缬氨酸、亮氨酸及异亮氨酸水平一致。试验期10周。结果表明:1)低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡末重、平均日增重、平均日产蛋量、料蛋比、平均蛋重、产蛋率、破蛋率和不合格蛋率均无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡鸡蛋的蛋形指数、蛋白高度、哈氏单位、蛋黄重、蛋壳重和蛋壳厚度均无显著影响(P>0.05)。13%CP组的蛋黄颜色显著高于16%CP组(P<0.05)。3)低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡的雏鸡初生重、受精蛋孵化率、弱雏率和受精率均无显著影响(P>0.05)。4)13%、14%CP组的血浆尿素氮含量显著低于16%CP组(P<0.05),13%CP组的血浆尿酸含量显著低于16%CP组(P<0.05),13%CP组的粪便氮含量显著低于16%CP组(P<0.05)。由此可见,低蛋白质氨基酸平衡饲粮对黄羽肉种鸡的生产性能、蛋品质和孵化性能无负面影响,但能够降低血浆尿素氮、尿酸含量和粪便氮含量。本试验条件下,黄羽肉种鸡产蛋高峰期的饲粮CP水平可以降低至13%(补充7种必需氨基酸)。     

Evaluation of the ratio of omega(6: omega3 fatty acids and vitamin E levels in the diet on the reproductive performance of cockerels.

Three hundred and twenty 30-week old White Leghorn cockerels were housed in individual cages and distributed in a completely randomized factorial design of 5 x 3, with five oil sources (sunflower, soybean, canola, linseed and fish/soybean) and three levels of antioxidant (30, 200 and 400 mg of vitamin E/kg). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the ratio of omega6: omega3 fatty acids by the inclusion of different oil sources and of dietary supplementation with vitamin E on the reproductive performance of cockerels. The use of the fish/soybean combination determined the lowest total antioxidant status of the semen. However, the addition of vitamin E to the fish/soybean-oil-based diet resulted in a linear increase in semen volume, motility and sperm vigour in the 38th week and again in the 52nd week for motility and for sperm vigour and fertility rate in the periods from 50-53 and 41-53 weeks of age. The use of canola oil in the diet resulted in the highest fertility rate during 50-53 and 41-53 weeks of life. Animals receiving the soybean oil based diet showed the smallest fertility rate in the range from 50-53 weeks of age and concomitantly the highest level of cholesterol in the spermatozoa in the range from 47-51 weeks. An interaction between the vitamin E level and soybean oil was verified by the linear increase in motility and sperm vigour at 38 weeks of age. Later, the contrary was shown by a linear reduction in fertility in the periods from 44-46, 47-49 and 41-53 weeks of age. Cockerels that had been fed on the sunflower-oil-based diet showed the highest content of saturated fatty acids in the spermatozoa from 48-51 weeks. An interaction effect was observed between the vitamin E level and sunflower oil shown by a linear increase in the content of saturated fatty acids in the spermatozoa and a linear reduction in the C18: 1omega9, C18 :2 omega6 and PUFA (C18 : 2omega6 + C20 : 4omega6) contents in the spermatozoa at 48-51 weeks and in sperm volume at 52 weeks of age.     

Effect of dietary crude protein concentration on semen yield and quality in male broiler breeder fowls

1. The responses in semen volume and spermatozoal concentration of 48 caged male broiler breeder fowls fed on a restricted quantity of food containing 80, 110, 152, 210, 290 or 400 g crude protein (CP)/kg from 18 to 64 weeks of age were studied.

2. The proportion of males producing semen declined with increasing dietary crude protein content and resulted in a significant decrease in total semen volume and spermatozoa production.

3. The relationship between the concentration of spermatozoa in the semen and dietary crude protein was negative but trivial. There were no relationships between dietary crude protein content and semen volume or the metabolic activity of spermatozoa.

4. The metabolic activity of spermatozoa was lower at 25 compared with 37 weeks of age.

5. The proportion of males giving semen peaked between 32 and 42 weeks of age. The relationship between age and semen volume and concentration of spermatozoa was negative and linear.

6. Blood plasma uric acid concentration increased linearly above 106 g CP/kg and males on 400 g CP/kg developed articular gout and had to be destroyed.