Long Cheng, Yin Xiao-Feng, Sheng Xi-Hui, Wang Xiang-Guo, Xiao Long-Fei, Qi Xiao-Long
Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China; Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2P5, Canada.
Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing 102206, China.
Poult Sci. 2024 Dec;103(12):104252. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104252. Epub 2024 Aug 23.
Aging in breeder roosters is often accompanied by a decline in semen quality, negatively impacting reproductive performance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, on semen quality, antioxidant capacity, and sperm survival in aging breeder roosters. Roosters were divided into 4 groups and fed diets supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% ALA for 6 wk. Results indicated significant improvements in semen volume, sperm viability, and sperm density in ALA-supplemented groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). The 1% ALA group exhibited the most notable enhancements in sperm viability and density. Additionally, ALA supplementation increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ALA improved mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reduced early and late sperm apoptosis, with the 2% ALA group showing the highest MMP and the lowest ROS-positive rate (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary ALA supplementation enhances semen quality and antioxidant defenses, and mitigates oxidative stress, thus supporting the reproductive health of aging breeder roosters. This study underscores the potential of ALA as a dietary strategy to improve reproductive efficiency in poultry production.
种公鸡的衰老往往伴随着精液质量的下降，对繁殖性能产生负面影响。本研究旨在探讨膳食α-亚麻酸（ALA）（一种必需的ω-3多不饱和脂肪酸）对衰老种公鸡精液质量、抗氧化能力和精子存活的影响。将公鸡分为4组，分别饲喂添加0%、0.5%、1%和2% ALA的日粮，持续6周。结果表明，与对照组相比，添加ALA的组精液体积、精子活力和精子密度均有显著改善（P < 0.05）。1% ALA组在精子活力和密度方面表现出最显著的提高。此外，补充ALA可提高超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）等抗氧化酶的活性，并降低丙二醛（MDA）水平，表明抗氧化能力增强（P < 0.05）。此外，ALA改善了线粒体膜电位（MMP），减少了精子早期和晚期凋亡，2% ALA组的MMP最高，ROS阳性率最低（P < 0.05）。这些发现表明，膳食补充ALA可提高精液质量和抗氧化防御能力，减轻氧化应激，从而支持衰老种公鸡的生殖健康。本研究强调了ALA作为一种膳食策略在提高家禽生产繁殖效率方面的潜力。
