Rodriguez-Sánchez Andrés J, Meza-Herrera Cesar A, De Santiago-Miramontes Angeles, Navarrete-Molina Cayetano, Veliz-Deras Francisco G, Ordoñez-Morales Julieta Z, Flores-Salas Jessica M, Marin-Tinoco Ruben I
Programa de Posgrado en Ciencias en Producción Agropecuaria, Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro Unidad Laguna, Torreon 27054, Mexico.
Unidad Regional Universitaria de Zonas Áridas, Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Mapimí 35230, Mexico.
Biology (Basel). 2024 Aug 24;13(9):656. doi: 10.3390/biology13090656.
Considering a circular economy perspective, this study evaluates the possible effect of targeted short-term supplementation with L. (WS; Ashwagandha) on ram's seminal quality, socio-sexual behaviors, and blood constituents. Black Belly rams (n = 20) received a basal diet comprising feed-leftovers from dairy cows in the north-arid Mexico (i.e., Comarca Lagunera CL). The experimental units, with proven libido and fertility, were homogeneous in terms of age (3.41 ± 0.21 yr.), live weight (LW; 53.8 ± 3.3 kg), body condition (BC; 2.96 ± 0.01 units), initial sperm concentration (2387 ± 804 × 10), and viability (23.9 ± 15.6%). Rams were randomly assigned during the transition reproductive period (i.e., May to Jun; 25° NL) to three treatment groups: non-supplemented control group (CONT; n = 6), low WS-supplemented (LWS; i.e., 100 mg kg LW d × 40 d; n = 7), and high-WS-supplemented (HWS; i.e., 200 mg kg LW d × 40 d; n = 7). The basal leftover diet was offered twice daily (0700 and 1600 h); the experimental period (EP) lasted 47 d. No differences ( > 0.05) among treatments occurred regarding LW and BCS at the onset of the EP. Whereas the greater scrotal circumference (SCRC, cm) arose in the LWS and CONT rams, an increased ejaculated volume (VOLEJA, mL) occurred in the WS-rams. A total of 5/9 (i.e., 55%) appetitive and 3/3 (i.e., 100%) consummatory sexual behaviors favored ( < 0.05) the WS-rams, particularly the HWS rams, towards the final EP. The same was true ( < 0.05) regarding the hemogram variables white blood cell count (×10 cells L), hemoglobin concentration (g dL), and medium corpuscular volume (fL). This study, based on a rethink-reuse-reduce enquiry approach, enabled connectedness between two noteworthy animal systems in the CL: dairy cows and meat sheep schemes. Certainly, the use of dairy cow feed-leftovers aligned with the short-term supplementation with WS promoted enhanced testicular function, augmented seminal volume, and an increased sexual behavior in Black Belly rams in northern Mexico. Finally, while our research outcomes should enhance not only the resilience and sustainability of sheep production and the well-being of sheep-producers and their families, it may also embrace clinical translational applications.
从循环经济的角度来看，本研究评估了针对性短期补充印度人参对公羊精液质量、社会性行为和血液成分的可能影响。黑腹公羊（n = 20）接受了一种基础日粮，该日粮由墨西哥北部干旱地区（即拉古内拉地区CL）奶牛的剩余饲料组成。这些实验单位具有已证实的性欲和生育能力，在年龄（3.41 ± 0.21岁）、活重（LW；53.8 ± 3.3千克）、体况（BC；2.96 ± 0.01单位）、初始精子浓度（2387 ± 804×10）和活力（23.9 ± 15.6%）方面是同质的。在过渡繁殖期（即5月至6月；北纬25°），公羊被随机分配到三个处理组：未补充对照组（CONT；n = 6）、低剂量印度人参补充组（LWS；即100毫克/千克LW/天×40天；n = 7）和高剂量印度人参补充组（HWS；即200毫克/千克LW/天×40天；n = 7）。基础剩余日粮每天投喂两次（0700和1600时）；实验期（EP）持续47天。在实验期开始时，各处理组之间在LW和BCS方面没有差异（P>0.05）。虽然LWS和CONT组公羊的阴囊周长（SCRC，厘米）更大，但印度人参组公羊的射精量（VOLEJA，毫升）增加。在实验期末，共有5/（即55%）的求偶性行为和3/3（即100%）的性行为有利于（P<0.05）印度人参组公羊，特别是HWS组公羊。关于血常规变量白细胞计数（×10⁹个/升）、血红蛋白浓度（克/分升）和平均红细胞体积（飞升）也是如此（P<0.05）。本研究基于一种反思 - 再利用 - 减少的探究方法，实现了CL地区两个值得关注的动物系统之间的联系：奶牛和肉羊养殖体系。当然，使用奶牛剩余饲料并结合短期补充印度人参促进了墨西哥北部黑腹公羊睾丸功能的增强、精液量的增加和性行为的增多。最后，虽然我们的研究结果不仅应增强绵羊生产的恢复力和可持续性以及绵羊养殖户及其家庭的福祉，还可能涵盖临床转化应用。
