A comparison of quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different collection techniques

The aim of our study was to compare the quality parameters of fresh feline ejaculates collected by three different techniques—urethral catheterization after medetomidine administration (CT), electroejaculation (EE) and epididymal slicing after orchiectomy (EP). A total of 34 adult male cats (Felis catus) were included in the study. In all male cats, the sperm collection was performed under general anaesthesia by three collection methods in the following order: urethral catheterization, electroejaculation and epididymal slicing. The sperm parameters evaluated were as follows: volume, motility, viability, sperm concentration, total sperm count and morphological examination. The highest quality semen parameters were achieved using EE. The comparison of results of the evaluated sperm quality parameters from EE and EP showed significant differences only in one case—the percentage of head abnormalities and lower percentage of head abnormalities were achieved using EE compared to EP: 8.5% (3.0%–21.0%) versus 10.0% (4.0%–22.0%). Semen collected by CT rendered the lowest quality samples when compared to sperm samples collected by EE and EP, especially with respect to the motility and total sperm count which were significantly lower (p < 0.001). Our study showed that sperm samples collected by EE and EP result in better quality of feline ejaculates compared to collection by CT from sperm samples collected from the same male cats. These results demonstrate the necessity of further research of urethral catheterization as a novel technique of semen collection in male cats.     

The Effect of Season on Spermatozoa Motility,Plasma Membrane and Acrosome Integrity in Fresh and Frozen–Thawed Semen from Xinong Saanen Bucks

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the season of ejaculate collection influences seminal quality parameters of pre‐ and post‐freeze–thawing in Xinong Saanen bucks. Ejaculates were collected from eight bucks throughout the four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) in a 12 months’ time period, identified in the Northern Hemisphere. Semen samples were evaluated by the combinations of conventional and Computer‐Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) when fresh and after frozen–thawed, respectively. The results clearly demonstrated that season of ejaculate collection influenced (p < 0.05) fresh semen quality. Highest semen quality was observed during autumn. On the contrary, undesirable indices (significantly lower, p < 0.05) were observed in winter as compared with the other remaining seasons. CASA has clearly shown the influences of seasonal variations on semen motility parameters. Furthermore, season of ejaculate collection was also found to influence sperm freezability. Semen characteristics after frozen–thawed followed a similar pattern with that of fresh ejaculate except in spring. The results revealed that sperm quality was higher (p < 0.01) in summer and autumn than in spring and winter. In conclusion, seasonal variation influences semen quality in Xinong Saanen bucks. In addition to summer and autumn, fresh ejaculates in spring can also be successfully used for AI. Sperm from ejaculates collected during summer and autumn are more suitable for cryopreservation. Hence, it is possible to increase the efficiency of goat breeding by manipulating the seasonal variations of semen quality for immediate AI and/or cryopreservation.     

Effects of iodine methionine on boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17°C

Microbial environment is one of the important factors that affect the quality of preserved semen. Iodine methionine (IM), participating in the production and activation of metabolic enzymes, is a new type of amino acid chelate. To date, there has been no report to evaluate the effects of IM on boar semen preservation at 17°C. This study was designed to investigate the effects of IM on boar sperm quality and reproductive performance during liquid storage at 17°C and its antibacterial effect. Semen samples collected from six Yorkshire boars were diluted with basic liquid containing different concentrations of IM (0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 μM). Subsequently, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were determined. After 6 days of preservation, the difference in microbial composition between control group and 80 μM IM group was compared using 16S rDNA sequencing, and the effects of IM on reproductive performance were also compared and analysed between the two groups. The results demonstrated that 20, 40 and 80 μM IM improved boar sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity. 80 μM IM was the optimum concentration. Conversely, 160 and 320 μM IM resulted in deleterious consequences to boar sperm quality compared to the control group and other treatment groups (p < .05). After 6 days of preservation, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were 56.0%, 51.8% and 59.4%, respectively. There was no significant difference in non‐return rate between the two groups (p > .05). But the litter size of 80 μM IM group was significantly higher than that of control group (p < .05). 80 μM IM inhibited proliferation of the phylum Proteobacteria and the genus Staphylococcus as well as Pseudomonas (p < .05). Further studies are required to understand the antibacterial mechanism of IM in liquid‐preserved boar semen.     

Characterization of semen collected by pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a stallion with seminal vesiculitis

The present study compared the quality of sperm collected by artificial vagina or pharmacologically induced ejaculation from a 10-year-old thoroughbred stallion with seminal vesiculitis. The pharmacological protocol involved intravenous administration of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg) and oxytocin (20 IU) and successfully induced ejaculation in all attempts of semen collection. Sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity (PMAI), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) percentage, and bacterial profiles of fresh and cooled semen (5°C for 24 hr) were evaluated. Semen obtained by the pharmacological method presented reduced seminal volume, decreased PMN percentage and superior sperm motility in cooled samples. Moreover, higher PMAI and lower ROS levels were observed in semen collected by the pharmacological method. Therefore, pharmacologically induced ejaculation is an alternative to obtain semen with minimal contamination and with sperm of superior quality and longevity from stallions with seminal vesiculitis.     

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.     

Effects of Bovine Serum Albumin on Boar Sperm Quality During Liquid Storage at 17°C

This study aimed to investigate the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA) on boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17°C. Boar semen samples were collected and diluted with Modena containing different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 g/l) of BSA, and sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, total antioxidative capacity (T‐AOC) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured and analysed. The results showed that Modena supplemented with 3, 4 and 5 g/l BSA could improve boar sperm motility, effective survival time and plasma membrane integrity (p < 0.05), decrease MDA content (p < 0.05), while no statistical difference was observed for sperm acrosome integrity and T‐AOC activity among these three groups (p > 0.05). The semen sample diluted with Modena containing 4 g/l BSA could achieve optimum effect, and sperm survival time was 7.5 days. After 7 days preservation, sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and acrosome integrity were 54%, 49% and 78%, respectively. T‐AOC activity and MDA content were 1.03 U/ml and 17.5 nmol/ml, respectively. In conclusion, Modena supplemented with BSA reduced the oxidative stress and improved the sperm quality of boar semen during liquid storage at 17°C, and 4 g/l BSA was the optimum concentration. Further studies are required to obtain more concrete results on the determination of antioxidant capacities of BSA in liquid preserved boar semen.     

Influence of Dietary Zinc on Semen Traits and Seminal Plasma Antioxidant Enzymes and Trace Minerals of Beetal Bucks

Zinc (Zn) is a potent antioxidant and plays a key role in scavenging free radicals. We hypothesized that supplementation of Zn would reduce the oxidative damage, which is linked with poor sperm quality. Sixteen bucks of similar average age (2 years) and body weight (41 kg) were randomly divided into four groups viz., 1, 2, 3 and 4 supplemented with zinc sulphate into the diet at the rate of 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/buck/day, respectively, for 3 months. At the end of the experiment, semen samples were collected and assessed. Seminal plasma was separated to find the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe). The results revealed that semen volume (1.85 ± 0.01 ml) and sperm motility (88.23 ± 5.77%) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in supplemented groups compared with the control specifically in group 3. SOD (10.66 ± 0.23 inhibition rate %) and GPx (23.55 ± 0.49 mU/ml) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group 3 with no effect on AST and ALT. Among seminal plasma trace elements, no significant change (p > 0.05) was observed. From the present results, we concluded that zinc sulphate at the rate of 100 mg/buck/day improved semen traits and seminal plasma antioxidant capacity in Beetal bucks.     

Impacts of dietary fat level and saturation when feeding distillers grains to high producing dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine whether increasing the net energy (NE_L) of a total mixed ration (TMR) with mainly unsaturated fat from corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) vs. rumen inert (RI)‐saturated fat has similar impacts on animal performance. The experiment was an incomplete Youden square with three treatments and four 28‐days periods, completed on a large commercial dairy using three early lactation pens each with approximately 380 multiparity cows. The TMR for all treatments was the same, except for 150 g/kg dry matter (DM) of each TMR which contained 90 g/kg high‐protein DDGS (HPDDGS) and 60 g/kg beet pulp (i.e. low‐fat control diet; LFC); 150 g/kg DDGS (i.e. high‐fat diet with unsaturated fat; HFU); or 111 g/kg HPDDGS, 20 g/kg beet pulp and 19 g/kg RI fat (i.e. high‐fat diet with saturated fat; HFS). The DM intake was highest (p < 0.05) for HFU‐fed cows. Milk, fat and true protein yields, as well as milk energy output, were higher (p < 0.01) when cows were fed HFS vs. HFU and LFC diets. Milk true protein concentration was lowest (p < 0.01) for HFS‐fed cows, but milk fat % was lowest (p < 0.01) for HFU and highest (p < 0.01) for HFS‐fed cows. There were numerous differences (p < 0.01) in milk fatty acid levels amongst diets. The increase in body condition score was lowest (p < 0.01) for LFC. Whole tract digestibility of acid detergent fibre was lower (p < 0.01) for LFC vs. HFS cows, and fat digestion was lowest (p < 0.01) for LFC‐fed cows. This DDGS, high in unsaturated fatty acids, was fed at high levels (i.e. 152 g/kg DM) with little impact on animal performance vs. a lower fat control diet, although addition of an RI‐saturated fat to create a diet with a similarly higher fat level resulted in higher animal productivity.     

Investigation of in vitro measurable sperm attributes and their influence on electroejaculated bull semen with a fixed‐time artificial insemination protocol in Australian Bos indicus cattle

Increasing use of fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI) in beef cattle production has presented an opportunity for the use of fresh or chilled semen as an alternative to standard cryopreserved semen. The objective of this study was to examine in vitro sperm function and pregnancy rate of electroejaculated semen, chilled and stored for 48 hr, compared to conventionally cryopreserved semen with an optimized FTAI protocol in Brahman cattle. Semen from three Brahman bulls was collected, and aliquots were extended in either chilled (at 5°C) or frozen (LN₂) in a Tris‐egg yolk extender base with 2.4% or 7.0% glycerol, respectively. Semen samples were assessed 48 hr after collection or post‐thaw and warming, for sperm motility, in vitro sperm function and fertilizing ability, and used in a FTAI programme. The overall pregnancy rates was significantly different (p < .01) after FTAI with frozen (n = 173; 53.2%) and chilled semen (n = 174; 31.6%). In contrast, the in vitro sperm assessment showed that the chilled semen had significantly faster motility (p < .05), a higher proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa (p < .05), with significantly higher proportions of acrosome intact, viable spermatozoa (p < .01). This study showed that reasonable pregnancy rates in Brahman cattle can be achieved using FTAI with chilled semen collected using electroejaculation and stored for up to 48 hr. However, improvements in semen extenders are required in consideration of semen collection method to improve the longevity of sperm fertilizing ability to significantly increase FTAI output using chilled storage of bull semen.     

选定的外界因素对兔子精液质量的影响

本文研究的目的是测定重金属以及高温环境对兔精液质量的影响,本试验选择31只新西兰白色雄兔,饲喂混有不同剂量镍和锌的混合饲料,(P1组:17.5mg NiCl2/kg;P2组:35.0mg NiCl2/kg;P3组:17.5mg NiCl2/kg+30.0mgZnCl2/kg和P4组:35.0mg NiCl2/kg+30.0mgZnCl2/kg;试验1),以及将雄兔处于高温环境中(36±3℃;试验2),然后将其与对照组进行比较。利用CASA系统对所收集到的雄兔精液进行精子活力和浓度的分析。在第1个试验中,P3和P1,P4组与对照组相比较精子活力差异显著(P<0.01),并且P3组与P1组,P4组和对照组相比表现为最低的精子前进动力(P<0.01)。在第2个试验中,与第1次采精相比,最后1次采精的精子活力最低(P<0.01),然而与对照组和第3次采精实验相比,第1组试验的精子活力表现为最高(P<0.05)。结论:饲喂含有重金属饲料和身处高温环境时,雄兔精液的质量以及接下来的受精能力可能会受到负面的影响。     

Effect of Leptin on In Vivo Goat Embryo Production

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of leptin administration during superovulation on in vivo goat embryo production. Ten mature does were superovulated with 133 mg follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) i.m. in six descending doses at 12‐h intervals. The goats received 4.8 μg/kg human recombinant leptin s.c. (leptin group, n = 5) or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) (control group, n = 5) with the first and second FSH doses. The does were mated and subjected to embryo collection by transcervical technique 6 days later. The total number of cells per embryo and the number of cells with fragmented DNA were assessed in selected blastocysts by combining Hoechst 33342 and terminal dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) staining. Plasma concentrations of oestradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) were determined by electrochemiluminescence from the day of FSH treatment, on the day of superovulatory oestrus and on the day before embryo collection. Compared with the control group, the does that received leptin had a higher number of transferable embryos (p < 0.005), fewer embryos classified as degenerated (p < 0.001) and fewer TUNEL‐positive cells/blastocyst (p < 0.001). The number of transferable embryos was positively correlated with E₂ concentrations on day of oestrus (r = 0.562; p < 0.01) and P₄ concentrations on the day of embryo collection (r = 0.912; p < 0.001). We concluded that in vivo leptin administration during FSH treatment improved embryo quality and affected ovarian steroidogenesis in superovulated goats.     

Cooled Storage of Canine Semen: in vitro Effects of Different Concentrations of an Antibiotic Combination on Growth of Mollicutes

The aim of this study was to examine effects of an antibiotic combination at different concentrations on growth of mycoplasma and ureaplasma during cooled storage of canine semen (n = 20). Semen aliquots were diluted with Tris–citric acid–fructose–egg yolk extender containing either 1.0 g/l streptomycin and 0.6 g/l benzylpenicillin (control) or a combination of gentamycin, tylosin, lincomycin and spectinomycin (GTLS‐1: 0.25, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.3; GTLS‐2: 0.5, 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6; GTLS‐3: 1.0, 0.2, 0.6 and 1.2 g/l). Samples were assessed for motility and membrane integrity by computer‐assisted sperm analysis immediately after dilution and at 24, 48 and 72 h of cooled storage. Morphologically, normal spermatozoa were determined, and bacterial culture was performed at 24 and 72 h. Mycoplasma spp. were detected in 14 of 20 ejaculates (70%) with severe growth in 12 samples. A reduction but not total elimination of mycoplasma growth occurred in all GTLS extenders with the most pronounced reduction in group GTLS‐3 (control vs GTLS‐1 and GTLS‐2 p < 0.05, control vs GTLS‐3 p < 0.001). Ureaplasmas were detected in four ejaculates, and growth was reduced to the same extent in GTLS and control extender. Progressive motility in all groups, total motility in groups GTLS 1–3 and percentage of membrane‐intact spermatozoa in groups GTLS 2 and 3 decreased slightly (p < 0.05) over time. In conclusion, dilution of canine semen with GTLS extender has no major detrimental effects on spermatozoa during cooled storage. It reduced the growth but did not totally eliminate mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas from cooled‐stored dog semen.     

Effect of Post‐Thaw Addition of Seminal Plasma on Motility,Viability and Chromatin Integrity of Cryopreserved Donkey Jack (Equus asinus) Spermatozoa

Pregnancy rates in donkeys after artificial insemination with cryopreserved semen are still low, compared to the horse species. Addition of autologous seminal plasma to frozen‐thawed semen appeared to improve pregnancy rates. The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity after thawing (T0) and after one and 2 h (T1 and T2) of post‐thaw incubation in either 0% (SP0) or 70% (SP70) autologous seminal plasma and (2) sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and DNA quality (%COMP‐αt) after thawing (T0) and after 2 and 4 h (T2 and T4) of post‐thaw incubation in either 0% (SP0), 5% (SP5) or 20% (SP20) homologous seminal plasma. In experiment 1, seminal plasma decreased total and progressive sperm motility and plasma membrane intact spermatozoa immediately after dilution and at all following time points (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, total and progressive motility did not differ between treatments immediately after dilution and between SP0 and SP5 at T2, while they were lower in both SP5 and SP20 than in SP0 at T4. Plasma membrane intact sperm cells did not differ between SP0 and SP5 and were lower in SP20 at all time points. DNA quality was not affected by treatment immediately after dilution and was significantly worse for SP20 after 4 h of incubation (p < 0.05). The post‐thaw addition of seminal plasma at the tested concentrations did not improve donkey frozen semen characteristics in vitro over time.     

Effect of astaxanthin on the quality of boar sperm stored at 17°C,incubated at 37°C or under in vitro conditions

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the antioxidant astaxanthin on boar semen. Twenty ejaculates from 10 boars (two ejaculates/boar) were extended and split in three groups: semen control (SC), solvent control (C; semen with dimethyl sulfoxide, the diluent of astaxanthin) and semen with astaxanthin (A) in concentration 0.5 μmol/L. Sperm quality parameters (motility and kinetics, morphology, viability, functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane by Hypo‐Osmotic Swelling Test [HOST] and DNA integrity) were assessed at 0, 24 and 48 hr of storage at 17°C (experiment I), before (0 hr) and after (1 hr) of sperm thermal resistance assay at 37°C (experiment II) and finally before (0 hr) and after (1 hr) sperm in vitro incubation (38.5°C, 5% CO₂, maximum humidity [experiment III]). In experiment I, group A performed overall better than group SC and as a tendency better than group C regarding viability. Total motility, rapid spermatozoa and HOST remained constant across time in group A, whereas they decreased in the remaining groups. In experiment II, regarding motility and viability, group A displayed better results across time than the other two groups. In experiment III, viability and total motility decreased in groups SC and C, while in group A, these parameters were not significantly different between the examination time points. In conclusion, astaxanthin has a beneficial and protective effect on boar semen quality under the investigated conditions.     

Is Resveratrol Effective in Protecting Stallion Cooled Semen?

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol (RSV) during liquid storage of stallion sperm for 24 hours at either 10°C or 4°C. The antioxidant RSV was added to reduce the oxidative damage that occurs during cold storage. Aliquots of 2 mL of diluted semen were stored either at 4°C or 10°C under anaerobic conditions, in the absence (control group) or presence of RSV at different concentrations (10, 20, 40, and 80 μM). Sperm quality parameters were assessed at 0 hours and after 24 hours of storage. Resveratrol treatment did not affect sperm quality parameters at 0 hours. At 24-hour storage, a significant (P < .01) decrease of sperm quality was observed independently from RSV supplementation and storage temperature. A significant decrease of viable spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential (SYBR+/PI−/JC-1+) was evident at 24-hour storage in 40- and 80-μM RSV groups compared with control group. Moreover, a decline of total motility in 80-μM RSV group compared with the control group and a decrease of progressive motility and average path velocity in 80-μM RSV group compared with control and 20-μM RSV groups were observed. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that RSV supplementation does not enhance sperm quality of stallion semen after 24 hours of storage. Moreover, 40- and 80-μM RSV concentrations could damage sperm functional status, probably acting as pro-oxidant. Finally, although 24-hour storage significantly affected most of the sperm quality parameters, no significant differences were found in groups maintained at 4°C or 10°C, suggesting that stallion semen could be equally preserved at these different temperatures.     

Impact of Ultra‐Rapid Freezing on the Motility,Morphology, Viability and Acrosome Integrity of Epididymal Cat Sperm Diluted in Sucrose‐Based Extenders

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of different sucrose‐based extenders on the motility, morphology, viability and acrosomal integrity of epididymal cat spermatozoa cryopreserved by ultra‐rapid freezing method. Nine cats were castrated, and collected semen was diluted 1 : 1 with Dulbecco`s phosphate‐buffered saline‐BSA1%‐based extender supplemented with different sucrose concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.4 and 0.6 m ). After ultra‐rapid freezing, samples were thawed and sperm motility, morphology, viability and acrosome status were assessed. At thawing, the number of progressively motile (p < 0.01) and morphologically normal (p < 0.01) sperm was higher in the sucrose‐supplemented groups than in the sucrose‐free group. Viability of spermatozoa cryopreserved without sucrose was significantly reduced. In extender supplemented with 0.4 m sucrose, spermatozoa viability showed higher values (57.0 ± 4.7; p < 0.01). No significant differences were detected among groups for sperm acrosome integrity. Results support that cat sperm survive after ultra‐rapid freezing using sucrose as a cryoprotectant, and the best results were achieved when 0.4 m of sucrose was used. This is the first report on sperm ultra‐rapid freezing of cat sperm and further studies on extenders, sperm management or cryovials should be carried out to improve sperm cryosurvival.     

Protective Effects of Quercetin on Selected Oxidative Biomarkers in Bovine Spermatozoa Subjected to Ferrous Ascorbate

Quercetin (QUE) is a natural flavonol‐type flavonoid with antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐aggregatory properties. It is also a powerful reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger and chelating agent. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of QUE to reverse ROS‐mediated alterations to the motility, viability and intracellular antioxidant profile of bovine spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were washed out of fresh bovine semen, suspended in 2.9% sodium citrate and subjected to QUE treatment (7.5, 25, 50 and 100 μmol/l) in the presence or absence of a pro‐oxidant, that is ferrous ascorbate (FeAA; 150 μmol/l FeSO4 and 750 μmol/l ascorbic acid) during a 6‐h in vitro culture. Spermatozoa motion characteristics were assessed using the SpermVision computer‐aided sperm analysis (CASA) system. Cell viability was examined with the metabolic activity (MTT) assay, ROS generation was quantified via luminometry, and the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was applied to quantify the intracellular superoxide formation. Cell lysates were prepared at the end of the in vitro culture to investigate the intracellular activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as the concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA). FeAA treatment led to a reduced sperm motility (p < 0.001), viability (p < 0.001) and decreased the antioxidant parameters of the sperm samples (p < 0.001) but increased the ROS generation (p < 0.001), superoxide production (p < 0.001) and lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001). QUE administration resulted in a preservation of the spermatozoa vitality and antioxidant characteristics (p < 0.01 with respect to the enzymatic antioxidants, p < 0.001 in relation to GSH) with a concentration range of 50–100 μmol/l QUE revealing to be the most effective. Our results suggest that QUE exhibits significant ROS‐scavenging and metal‐chelating properties which may prevent spermatozoa alterations caused by ROS, and preserve the functionality of male reproductive cells.     

Effects of replacing wheat bran by pistachio skins on feed intake,nutrient digestibility,milk yield,milk composition and blood metabolites of dairy Saanen goats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pistachio skins (PiS) as a replacement of wheat bran on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, milk yield, milk composition and blood metabolites of dairy Saanen goats. Eight multiparous lactating Saanen goats (55 ± 7.2 days post‐partum, 45 ± 2 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments arranged in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The dietary treatments were 1) 0 g/kg PiS and 210 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (0PiS), 2) 70 g/kg PiS and 140 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (7PiS), 3) 140 g/kg PiS and 70 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (14PiS) and 4) 210 g/kg PiS and 0 g/kg wheat bran in the TMR (21PiS). The trial consisted of four 21‐day periods, each composed of 14 days adaptation and 7 days data collection. Dry matter intake (p < 0.05) and crude protein digestibility (p < 0.01) increased linearly with increasing PiS proportions in the diet. Increasing the proportion of PiS in the diet caused a quadratic increase in apparent digestibility of dry matter (p < 0.05), and tended (p = 0.05) to increase quadratically organic matter, and ether extract digestibility. Replacing wheat bran with PiS in the diet had no effects on milk yield, whereas milk fat concentration increased linearly (p < 0.01) with increasing inclusion of PiS in the diet. As the dietary proportion of PiS increased, ruminal pH tended (p = 0.07) to increase linearly, whereas ammonia‐N concentration declined in the rumen. Plasma concentrations of glucose and BUN remained unaffected, whereas triglycerides (p < 0.05) and cholesterol (p < 0.01) concentrations increased linearly with increasing inclusion of PiS in the diet. It was concluded that PiS based on local ingredients can successfully replace wheat bran in diets of dairy goats without detrimental effects on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production.     

Semen characteristics and biochemical composition of cloacal foam of male Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) fed diet incorporated with selenium

An attempt was made to investigate the effect of dietary selenium (Se) on physical and cloacal gland size, foam production, biochemical composition of foam and semen biochemical characteristics of male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). Two hundred twenty‐five (225)‐day‐old male Japanese quail were randomly distributed to three dietary treatment groups for a period of 20 weeks. Each treatment comprised of three replicates, each containing 25 chicks. Three experimental diets were supplemented with 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mg Se/kg (T₁, T₂ and T_3, respectively), and diet T₁ was considered as control. Sodium selenite was used as the source of selenium. All the birds were provided with feed and water ad libitum. Cloacal foam characteristics, that is cloacal gland index and foam weight, were significantly higher in T₂ group. However, body weight, frequency of foam discharge and testes weight (left and right) did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). Physical characteristics of semen, that is semen volume and sperm concentration, did not differ (p > 0.05) among the Se‐treated groups. The sperm motility, live–dead count and abnormality improved significantly (p < 0.05) in 0.5 mg/Se‐supplemented group compared to 0 or 1.0 mg/Se‐supplemented groups. Similarly, fertility and hatchability percentages were higher (p < 0.05) in 0.5 mg/Se‐supplemented group than in control or 1.0 mg/Se‐supplemented counterparts. The biochemical characteristics of foam in terms of total protein, acid phosphatase (ACP) and nitric oxide did not differ (p > 0.05), while the concentration of glucose was higher (p < 0.05) in 0.5 mg/Se‐supplemented diet. On the other hand, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were lower (p < 0.05) in 0.5 mg/Se‐supplemented group compared to control or 1.0 mg/Se‐supplemented groups. From this study, it was concluded that supplementation of 0.5 mg Se/kg diet was beneficial for foam variables, biochemical composition of foam, semen characteristics and fertility in male Japanese quail.