Ngcobo Jabulani Nkululeko, Nedambale Tshimangadzo Lucky, Mpofu Takalani Judas, Nephawe Khathutshelo Agree, Chokoe Tlou Caswell, Ramukhithi Fhulufhelo Vincent
Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Agricultural Research Council, Germplasm, Conservation, Reproductive Biotechnologies, Private Bag X02, Irene 0062, South Africa.
Animals (Basel). 2023 Mar 30;13(7):1213. doi: 10.3390/ani13071213.
The purpose of this study was to determine the seasonal variations in semen quality, testosterone levels, and scrotal size, following dietary flaxseed oil and ascorbic acid in South African indigenous rams. A total of 22 South African indigenous rams were randomly distributed into five treatment diets from June 2021 to May 2022 (12 months). To allow for the spermatogenesis period, semen was collected after sixty days of dietary supplementation with treatment diets. Blood was collected twice a week using an 18-gauge needle and vacutainer tubes and sent to the laboratory for testosterone analysis. Semen and blood collection were repeated eight times each season. The scrotal size (circumference, length, and width) was measured using a flexible measuring tape. Data was subjected to the General Linear Model (GLM) in Minitab 2017. Treatment means were separated using Fisher's -test and considered significantly different when the -value was less than 0.05. Seasons and diet had an effect on progression, total motility, and testosterone levels. For instance, NC during the spring season had the lowest progressive motility (42.84 ± 5.32), followed by the summer (49.38 ± 4.49), winter (62.46 ± 4.35), and autumn (63.26 ± 3.58). Notably, when treatment diets were introduced, improvements were realized, and there were significant differences ( < 0.05) among the seasons following supplementation of FLAX, ASCA, and FLAX + ASCA, except for FLAX in the autumn season (53.83 ± 4.16). Total motility did not differ significantly ( > 0.05) between the seasons when the NC and PC diets were supplemented; nevertheless, there was an improvement when FLAX, ASCA, and FLAX + ASCA were supplemented. Testosterone levels were significantly influenced by the seasons when negative and PC diets were supplemented. It is noteworthy that supplementing FLAX + ASCA can reverse the influence of the season on the testosterone levels (spring, 27.52 ± 4.42; summer, 20.23 ± 5.11; autumn, 25.24 ± 3.96; and winter, 25.92 ± 4.42). In conclusion, seasons do affect semen quality and testosterone levels of South African indigenous rams. However, flaxseed oil and ascorbic acid can reverse the seasonal variations in semen quality and testosterone levels.
本研究的目的是确定在南非本土公羊中，日粮添加亚麻籽油和抗坏血酸后，精液质量、睾酮水平和阴囊大小的季节性变化。2021年6月至2022年5月（12个月）期间，将总共22只南非本土公羊随机分配到五种处理日粮中。为了考虑精子发生期，在日粮补充处理日粮60天后采集精液。每周使用18号针头和真空采血管采集两次血液，并送至实验室进行睾酮分析。每个季节重复采集精液和血液八次。使用柔性卷尺测量阴囊大小（周长、长度和宽度）。数据在Minitab 2017中采用通用线性模型（GLM）进行分析。使用Fisher检验分离处理均值，当P值小于0.05时，认为差异显著。季节和日粮对精子前进运动、总活力和睾酮水平有影响。例如，春季的NC组前进运动最低（42.84±5.32），其次是夏季（49.38±4.49）、冬季（62.46±4.35）和秋季（63.26±3.58）。值得注意的是，引入处理日粮后有所改善，在补充FLAX、ASCA和FLAX + ASCA后，各季节之间存在显著差异（P<0.05），秋季的FLAX组除外（53.83±4.16）。补充NC和PC日粮时，各季节之间的总活力差异不显著（P>0.05）；然而，补充FLAX、ASCA和FLAX + ASCA时有所改善。补充阴性和PC日粮时，季节对睾酮水平有显著影响。值得注意的是，补充FLAX + ASCA可以逆转季节对睾酮水平的影响（春季，27.52±4.42；夏季，20.23±5.11；秋季，25.24±3.96；冬季，25.92±4.42）。总之，季节确实会影响南非本土公羊的精液质量和睾酮水平。然而，亚麻籽油和抗坏血酸可以逆转精液质量和睾酮水平的季节性变化。
