中草药添加剂对种公牛生产性能的影响研究

中草药饲料添加剂已被广泛应用于畜牧业养殖方面、为探索中草药添加剂对种公牛精液品质的影响,选用当归、党参、黄芪、淫羊藿、菟丝子、金樱子、女贞等27味中草药复方配伍作饲料添加剂,对种公牛精液生产的作对比研究。试验种公牛按日粮的1%的添加饲喂50-60天,对种公牛的性反应和精液品质进行分析研究。结果表明:饲喂中草药添加剂后种公牛性反应时间显著缩短;射精量、精子密度、畸形率、冷冻后活力等理化指标均优于对照组,种公牛抗病力明显增强。该复方中草药添加剂适用于高频度采精种公牛,可改善种公牛的精液品质和体质,有利于进一步发挥优良种公牛的种用价值。     

复方中草药添加剂对辽宁绒山羊种公羊精液品质的影响

将15只年龄2．60士0．25岁、体重43．48士1．46kg的辽宁绒山羊种公羊随机分为三组,试验一组和试验二组分别饲喂10g／d和15g／d的复方中草药添加剂,对照组不添加,目的是研究中草药添加剂对种公羊精液品质的影响。结果表明,试验45d和75d后,两个试验组的射精量均高于对照组,其中试验一组差异显著（P〈0．05）;精子密度均显著（P〈0．05）高于对照组;顶体完整率高于对照组,其中试验二组在试验75d后与对照组差异极显著（P〈0．01）;美兰褪色时间极显著（P〈O．01）低于对照组;两个试验组的精子活率、畸形率和解冻后活率与对照组均差异不显著（P〉0．05）。对于本复方中草药添加剂而言,辽宁绒山羊种公羊按照10g／d的剂量饲喂即达到了改善精液品质和提高生产效率的目的。     

复方中草药添加剂对种公猪精液量和精液品质的影响

将20头大约克种公猪随机分为对照组和试验组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加1%中草药,研究复方中草药添加剂对种公猪精液量和精液品质的影响。试验结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组的精液量、精子活力、精子密度均显著提高,精子畸形率显著降低。说明在种公猪基础日粮中添加1%中草药可显著改善种公猪的射精量和精液品质。     

复方中草药添加剂对辽宁绒山羊种公羊繁殖性能的影响

对6只3.79岁±0.29岁的辽宁绒山羊种公羊试验组羊饲喂复方中草药添加剂,研究较高采精强度下中草药添加剂对种公羊繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,饲喂60 d后试验组种公羊射精量、精子密度极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),顶体完整率显著高于对照组(P<0.05);美兰褪色时间极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。试验组血浆和精浆FSH、LH和T略高于对照组,但差异不显著(P>0.05);相关分析发现,试验组血浆T(y,ng/L)与血浆FSH(x,u/L)呈对数关系;试验组血浆T(y,ng/L)与血浆LH(x,μg/L)也呈对数关系,并与对照组的相关方程近似。试验组精浆T含量(y,ng/L)与LH(x,μg/L)之间也存在对数相关关系,并与对照组的相关方程相似。表明在该研究条件下,在较高采精强度下的种公羊按照15 g/d的剂量饲喂复方中草药添加剂,使参试动物的精液数量和质量均得到改善,对血浆和精浆生殖激素影响很小,维持了绒山羊的生殖内分泌平衡状态。因此,以淫羊藿、巴戟天和枸杞子为主的复方中草药添加剂对改善种公羊的繁殖性能效果显著。     

复方中草药添加剂对种公兔精液品质的影响

为研究中草药添加剂对种公兔精液品质的影响,选取30只60周龄的种公兔随机分为对照组和试验组,每组15只,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加1%配方中草药添加剂。结果显示:用药后1周至停药后1周,试验组公兔采精量、精子活率及精子密度与用药前及对照组相比显著提高(P0.05),试验组精子畸形率与用药前及对照组相比显著降低(P0.05);停药后2周,试验组公兔采精量、精子密度和精子畸形率与对照组和用药前相比差异不显著(P0.05),精子密度同用药1周至停药1周相比显著降低(P0.05),试验组精力活力和精子畸形率与用药前和用药1周至停药1周相比差异均不显著(P0.05)。结果提示:饲料中添加中草药添加剂能够显著改善公兔精液品质。     

中草药复方添加剂对繁殖后期种公鸡精液品质的影响

选用80只50周龄尼克T种公鸡随机分成Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组,每组16只。Ⅰ、Ⅱ组为对照组,分别饲喂基础日粮和基础日粮添加鸡蛋,Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组为试验组,分别饲喂在基础日粮的基础上添加1%、2%、3%中草药复方添加剂的日粮,研究中草药复方添加剂对繁殖后期种公鸡精液品质的影响。结果表明,日粮中添加中草药复方添加剂能显著提高种公鸡的精液量和精子活力,降低精子畸形率,其中2%添加组效果最明显。说明在繁殖后期种公鸡日粮中添加一定量的中草药复方添加剂可以显著提高种公鸡的精液品质。     

黔北麻羊精液品质分析

为了研究黔北麻羊精液品质,筛选优秀种公羊,准确地对黔北麻羊进行选种选配,试验选择2~4岁的黔北麻羊公羊9只,对其精液品质进行常规评定分析。结果表明:黔北麻羊公羊精液颜色为乳白色,略带膻味,pH值为6.5,射精量为(0.85±0.14)mL,精子活力为0.71±0.09,精子密度为(22.39±1.92)×109个/mL,精子畸形率为(5.96±1.52)%;多重比较分析发现,8903号和6543号公羊精液品质最好;密度与射精量呈显著正相关(P0.05),密度与活力呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。说明黔北麻羊公羊精液品质良好,各项指标均属正常范围,符合GB 20557—2006山羊精液标准,其中8903、6543号公羊可作为场区优秀种公羊安排配种任务。     

中草药饲料添加剂对鸡精液品质、生长性能和血液生化指标的影响

文章旨在研究中草药饲料添加剂对鸡精液品质、生长性能和血液生化参数的影响。试验将150只体重相近、健康状况良好的青年鸡随机分为6组,每组5个重复,每个重复5只鸡。对照组饲喂基础日粮,而试验A、B、C、D、E组分别饲喂0.5‰、1.0‰、1.5‰、2‰的中草药饲料添加剂。预饲期10d,正试期60d,试验为期70d。经过多项生物统计分析后,结果表明,在射精量、精子密度、精液pH以及精子畸形率等方面,中草药饲料添加剂组显著优于对照组。血液生理生化指标也表现出明显改善,尤其是在1.0‰添加剂量的组别中表现最为显著。在生长性能指标上,饲喂中草药饲料添加剂的试验组生长性能和饲料转化率显著优于对照组。综上所述,本研究证实了中草药饲料添加剂在提升鸡精液品质,优化血液生理生化指标方面具有积极效应,其中1.0‰的添加剂水平效果最佳。     

中草药复方添加剂对繁殖后期种公鸡精液品质及种蛋受精率的影响

选用80只50周龄尼克T种公鸡随机分成Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组,每组16只。Ⅰ、Ⅱ组为对照组,分别饲喂基础日粮和基础日粮添加鸡蛋,Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组为试验组,分别饲喂基础日粮中添加1%、2%、3%中草药复方添加剂的日粮,研究中草药复方添加剂对繁殖后期种公鸡精液品质及种蛋受精率的影响。结果表明:日粮中添加中草药复方添加剂能显著提高种公鸡的精液品质和精子活力,降低精子畸形率,并且能提高种蛋受精率和健雏率,其中2%添加组效果最明显。     

补饲硒和维生素E对高温季节山羊精液品质、抗氧化酶活性及热休克蛋白表达的影响

试验旨在研究在海南夏季高温饲养条件下,山羊补饲硒和维生素E对其精液品质、抗氧化酶活性及热休克蛋白表达的影响。选用16只健康状况良好、体重相近的海南黑山羊成年公羊,随机分成4组,分别饲喂基础日粮(对照组)、基础日粮+0.5mg/kg Se(Se组)、基础日粮+100mg/kg VE(VE组)和基础日粮+0.5mg/kg Se+100mg/kg VE(Se+VE组),试验期93 d。试验期结束前1周采集精液,评价精液品质、测定精浆抗氧化酶活性和精液热休克蛋白表达。结果表明,与对照组相比,补饲Se和VE对海南黑山羊射精量影响差异不显著(P>0.05);补饲Se和VE能显著提高海南黑山羊的精子密度和精子活力(P<0.05),极显著降低精子畸形率(P<0.01);极显著增加精浆谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性和总抗氧化能力(P<0.01),显著增加超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性(P<0.05),显著降低丙二醛浓度(P<0.05);补饲Se和VE还极显著降低了精液HSP70和HSP90mRNA的表达水平(P<0.01),但各补饲组之间对精液品质改善效果和热休克蛋白表达丰度的影响存在一定差异。综上所述,补饲Se和VE有助于提高热带地区夏季高温季节山羊精子密度、精子活力,降低畸形率,同时还能增强精浆中抗氧化酶的活性,改善精液品质,进而起到缓解环境热应激的效果。     

Effect of Ram Age on Structural and Functional Competence of Frozen–Thawed Spermatozoa in Dairy Sheep

The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of ram age on structural and functional competence of frozen–thawed spermatozoa and to test the hypothesis that increasing number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida in vitro was associated with decreasing in vivo fertility of frozen semen. Rams were allocated into two groups. Each group consisted of five rams aged either 1–2 years (young) or 4–5 years (mature). Three successive ejaculates were collected from each ram using an artificial vagina. Only ejaculates of ≥ 2.5 × 10⁹ sperm/ml and 80% sperm progressive motility were pooled per ram, diluted with Bioxcell^® medium and frozen in 0.25 ml straws. The end points of post‐thawing semen evaluation were computer‐assisted cell motility analysis, sperm capacitation (chlortetracycline assay), simultaneous assessment of plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and condensation status of nucleus, per‐cell analysis of lipid peroxidation using C11‐BODIPY^581/591, sperm‐hemizona binding (HZB) ability and sperm fertility after laparoscopic insemination of ewes (n = 114) in the progestagen‐synchronized oestrus. The results showed that mature rams had significantly lower values of sperm hyperactivated motility and peroxidized sperm, higher percentages of live non‐capacitated sperm and sperm cells with intact plasma membrane, functional mitochondria and condensed chromatin, as well as, greater lambing rate and ewe prolificacy. Sperm HZB binding ability was higher (p < 0.05) for young than for mature rams. Significant correlations were found between number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida and semen fertility (r = ?0.63 to ?0.71). In conclusion, mature rams have better semen quality and in vivo fertility than young rams. Cryocapacitation can be involved in decreasing ram semen fertility as evidenced by the high number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida in vitro.     

Effects of seasons on some semen parameters and bacterial contamination of Awassi ram semen

The objectives of the present study were to determine the effects of season on some semen parameters and bacterial contamination of Awassi ram semen. Semen samples from six mature Awassi rams were used in this study. Semen collection was performed with artificial vagina every week, from September 2009 to October 2010. Volume, sperm concentration, mass motility, individual motility, percentage live sperm and sperm abnormalities were evaluated. Moreover, determination of viable bacterial count of the rams was also recorded weekly. Higher (p < 0.05) semen volume in the hot summer and spring months was observed of August (1.55 ± 0.08 ml) and March (1.27 ± 0.15 ml). Sperm concentration was highest (p < 0.05) in the breeding season (late summer to early autumn) of September (4.21 ± 0.86 × 10(9) sperm/ml). Sperm individual motility and percent of live sperm observed in August (summer) and May (end of spring) when the environmental temperature started to increase were recorded highest values and differed significantly (p < 0.05) from December and January (winter). The highest value of the mean sperm acrosomal defects (13.33 ± 0.63%) was recorded in December. The highest value of the mean viable bacterial count (138.3 ± 21.6) was recorded in July (summer). A significant decrease (p < 0.01) in the mean viable bacterial count was observed from the middle of winter towards the end of spring. The lowest bacterial count was noted in January (60.5 ± 2.98). It could be concluded from the results of the present study that there is an effect of season on ram semen quality, and summer high temperature in northern Iraq has no effect on Awassi ram semen. There is a significant effect of season on bacterial count on Awassi ram semen.     

Cryopreservation of ram semen: Manual versus programmable freezing and different lengths of equilibration

The aim of our study was to examine effects of the length of semen equilibration as well as two freezing techniques on ram sperm post-thaw quality. The ejaculates of Wallachian sheep rams (n = 12) were collected by an electro-ejaculation, equilibrated in a Triladyl® (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h) containing glycerol and egg yolk and frozen by programmable freezing (PF) or manual freezing (MF). After thawing, sperm samples were subjected to the motility (computer-assisted sperm analysis [CASA]), viability (SYBR-14/PI), and fertilizing ability (FA) (in vitro penetration/fertilization test on bovine oocytes) assays. It was found that the equilibration of 6 h (E-6) ensured higher post-thaw sperm motility and progressive movement compared with other lengths tested, irrespective of a freezing technique. The E-6 sperm viability did not differ between PF and MF but was lower (P < 0.05) than control. Sperm FA (E-6) was similar in PF (60.44%) and MF (62%) but slightly lower than in fresh (72.8%). Our data demonstrate that the use of MF was comparable with PF, which can be applied in the field conditions without need in a piece of cost-expensive equipment, which can greatly benefit the gene bank of animal genetic resources.     

中草药复方制剂对公猪精液品质和生殖激素的影响

为了研究中草药复方制剂对公猪精液品质和生殖激素的影响,对27头精液品质相近的成年大约克种公猪饲喂不同剂量的中草药复方制剂,测定精液指标和血清生殖激素水平。结果表明:与对照组相比,2%低剂量组(试验Ⅰ组)的采精量、采精持续时间、精子密度,血清中促卵泡刺激素(FSH)、促黄体生成素(LH)和睾酮(T)含量差异显著(P<0.05);与对照组相比,3%高剂量组(试验Ⅱ组)的采精持续时间、精子活力和血液中LH、T含量显著提高,采精量和血液中FSH含量差异极显著(P<0.01);高、低剂量组的精子畸形率与对照组相比均有所降低。说明日粮中添加一定剂量中草药复方制剂可显著提高种公猪的精液品质,促进生殖激素的分泌。     

Improvement in In Vitro Fertilization Rate,Decrease in Reactive Oxygen Species and Spermatozoa Death Incidence in Rams by Dietary Fish Oil

Our aim was to evaluate the effects of fish oil feeding on sperm classical parameters, level of reactive oxygen spices (ROS), spermatozoa death incidence and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rate in rams. We randomly assigned nine rams, into two experimental groups (isoenergetic and isonitrogenous rations with constant level of vitamin E supplement): control (CTR; n = 5) and fish oil (FO; n = 4, 35 g/day/ram). Diets were fed for 70 days during the physiological breeding season. After a 21‐day dietary adaptation period, semen was collected weekly from each ram by an artificial vagina. Sperm classical parameters were determined by the computer‐assisted sperm analyzer system (CASA), and it was prepared for IVF process by swim‐up technique. These evaluations were performed during the first and last weeks of sampling. Intracellular ROS level and spermatozoa death incidence were detected by flow cytometry on a weekly basis after adaptation. Data were analysed with SPSS 15. The volume, concentration (3.6 and 2.7 × 10⁹/ml) and sperm progressive motility (60 and 48%) were significantly improved in the FO group compared with the CTR (p < 0.05). A comparison of two‐cell stage embryos following IVF in the two groups showed a significantly higher fertilization rate in the FO group (56%) compared with the CTR (49%). Superoxide anion (O₂^?) rate was significantly lower (p < 0.05) at the third week of sampling in the FO. Although the H₂O₂ rate was numerically lower in the FO group compared with the CTR, this difference was not significant. In addition, apoptosis showed a significant difference in the third week of sampling (15 and 30% for FO and CTR, respectively; p < 0.05). Overall, adding fish oil to the ram diet not only improved sperm quality and IVF results, it also could reduce oxygen‐free radicals and the incidence of spermatozoa death.     

Effects of bovine serum albumin and trehalose in semen diluents for improvement of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa

In this study, two following experiments were performed to improve post-thaw motility and viability of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa. We examined i) the effects of different concentrations of bovine serum albumin (0, 0.3, 1, 5, 10 and 15% BSA) in semen diluents lacking egg yolk and ii) the effects of four semen diluents, fructose (F: control) and trehalose (T) in semen diluents containing egg yolk, 15% BSA in semen diluents without egg yolk (BSA), and modified phosphate buffered saline (m-PBS). Frozen-thawed spermatozoa were examined for progressive sperm motility, viability, morphological abnormality, sperm tail swelling test, and sperm acrosome integrity. In Experiment 1, the rates of sperm motility immediately after thawing (0 h) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the 10 and 15% BSA groups (55.0 +/- 2.9 and 58.3 +/- 6.7%, respectively) than in the positive control (F) group (41.7 +/- 4.4%). The rate of sperm viability in the negative control (0% BSA) group (80.2 +/- 3.3%) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than in the positive control (F) group (89.8 +/- 1.5%), but when compared with the F group, no significant differences were found among the 0.3, 1, 5, 10 and 15% BSA groups at 0 h. The rates of sperm morphological abnormality of the 10 and 15% BSA groups (6.5 +/- 1.3 and 6.3 +/- 1.1%, respectively) were significantly (P<0.05) lower at 0 h than that in the 1% BSA group (16.3 +/- 5.2%). In Experiment 2, T addition improved (P<0.05) the post-thaw motility compared with the F and BSA groups. Furthermore, at 3 and 6 h, the post-thaw motility of the T group (36.3 +/- 2.4 and 25.0 +/- 2.0%, respectively) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the BSA (26.3 +/- 2.4 and 18.8 +/- 1.3%, respectively) and F (28.8 +/- 3.8 and 18.8 +/- 2.4%, respectively) groups. The post-thaw sperm motility and viability in the m-PBS group were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of the control (F), T, and BSA groups throughout all observation points. These results indicate that 10 and 15% BSA can be substituted for egg-yolk for ram semen diluent and that the addition of trehalose enhances motility and viability of ram spermatozoa after freezing and thawing.     

Monthly changes in some reproductive parameters and in testosterone and thyroxine values of rams throughout one year under continental climate conditions

Ten sexually mature rams were used in this study. Blood and semen was collected monthly from rams for one period of 12 months to study semen characteristics and to determine serum testosterone and thyroxine (T4) hormones. Results showed that all of the rams are continuous breeders as they show sexual desire and produce semen throughout the whole year. However, monthly variations in reproductive and semen characteristics were detected. Relative testes volume, ejaculate volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration and serum testosterone levels were higher during autumn months than at other months of the year. In addition, autumn months showed moderate percentage of abnormal spermatozoa. Furthermore, serum T4 was significantly higher in summer and autumn months than that observed in winter and spring. These results indicate that ram semen quality in Afyon continental climate conditions may be better during late summer and early autumn months than during other months of the year.     

Assessment of Fertility after Using Different Procedures to Thaw Ram Spermatozoa Frozen in Mini Straws

Contents
In this study, fertility rates were compared after using different procedures (50°C and 70°C) to thaw ram spermatozoa frozen in mini straws. Semen from three, 1.5–2.5-year-old rams of the same breed, selected for use in an AI programme, was collected using an artificial vagina. The semen was diluted with a skim milk extender containing 7% glycerol (v/v), packed in 0.25-ml mini straws and frozen in a programmable freezer. Post-thaw sperm motility was assessed subjectively using a phase contrast microscope. Sperm membrane integrity was assessed with fluorescent dyes (Calcein AM/EthD-1). Statistically significant variation in the incidence of membrane integrity was found, both between rams and between freezing operations. Significant differences between the different thawing procedures used in this study were seen for membrane integrity (p < 0.01), as assessed with the fluorescent dyes (Calcein AM/EthD-1), but not for the post-thaw motility. The average fertility in this study was 39.7%, with a wide variation between freezing operations (not significant), rams (p < 0.001; 30.4, 33.3 and 64.6%) and flocks (p < 0.001, range: 14.8–61.6%). No statistically significant differences were found for the different thawing procedures, in terms of the fertility (39.0 and 40.4%, respectively) and the litter size (1.32 and 1.41, respectively). Thawing at 50°C for 9 s, instead of 70°C for 5 s, does not seem to further affect either fertility or litter size. The use of this lower temperature would facilitate the practical use of frozen–thawed ram semen under farm conditions in Sweden.     

Influence of feeding level on live body weight and semen characteristics of Sardinian rams reared under intensive conditions

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects feeding level on body weight changes and semen parameters in adult Sardinian rams reared under intensive conditions in a semi-arid area of southern Italy. During an experimental period of 90 days, 24 healthy Sardinian rams were divided into three equal groups that differed in their feeding level, in terms of concentrate amount. The control-concentrate (CC; n = 8) group received 1.0 times their maintenance requirements, the medium-concentrate (MC; n = 8) group received a diet that supplied 1.2 times their maintenance requirements, and high-concentrate (HC, n = 8) group received a diet that supplied 1.5 times their maintenance requirements. Mixed vetch–oat hay was offered ad libitum to ram groups and water and mineral licks were freely available. Body weight and feed intake was recorded weekly, and semen characteristics were determined every 2 weeks. Dietary treatment affected final body weight (P < 0.01) as feeding level increased. Total dry matter and protein intake changed significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) among experimental groups. Semen volume and concentration were positively influenced by feeding level for HC group, whereas no differences were observed in sperm viability and scrotal circumference of rams. It was concluded that dietary level with higher concentrate supplementation resulted in improved body weight gain, feed intake, sperm production, and semen quality in Sardinian rams.     

二甲基甲酰胺对猪精液冷冻保存效果的影响

用二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)完全替代甘油,比较不同平衡时间和不同DMF添加量对猪精液冷冻保护效果的影响。结果表明,DMF能完全替代甘油,获得较好的冷冻保护效果。最佳平衡时间为90 min,解冻后精子活力为(44.57±0.72)%,显著高于对照组和其他组(P0.05)。当DMF添加量为5%时,冻后精子活力、活率、线粒体活性、顶体完整率和质膜完整率分别为(49.91±0.39)%(、46.51±0.26)%、(47.51±0.52)%(、49.84±0.56)%、(46.30±1.61)%,均显著高于2%、3%、6%DMF添加组(P0.05),但与4%DMF添加组相比,冻后精子活力、活率和质膜完整率差异不显著(P0.05)。本试验结果表明,DMF最适添加量为5%。