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Effects of supplemental conjugated linoleic acids ( CLA ) on fresh and post‐thaw sperm quality of Holstein bulls
Author(s) -
Karimi R,
Towhidi A,
Zeinoaldini S,
Rezayazdi K,
Mousavi M,
Safari H,
MartinezPastor F
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/rda.12932
Subject(s) - conjugated linoleic acid , semen , sperm , biology , zoology , semen quality , sperm motility , andrology , linoleic acid , extender , fatty acid , food science , chemistry , biochemistry , botany , anatomy , medicine , organic chemistry , polyurethane
Contents 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.