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Ngcobo JN, Nedambale TL, Nephawe KA, Sithole SM, Chokoe TC, Ramukhithi FV. Dietary supplementing South African indigenous rams with flaxseed oil and ascorbic acid improves cryopreserved semen quality and in vitro fertility. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:200. [PMID: 38985221 PMCID: PMC11236880 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04057-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate how ascorbic acid with dietary flaxseed oil affects the quality and fertility of cryopreserved ram sperm in South African indigenous rams. Treatment diets were supplemented 60 days before semen collection to afford proper spermatogenesis, adaptation to the feed formulated and fed throughout the study. Semen was collected with the use of artificial vagina following dietary supplementation with five treatment diets (neg. cont. - negative control, pos. cont. - positive control, FLO - 5% Flaxseed oil, ASA - 4% Ascorbic acid, and FLO + ASA). Semen was then extended using tris-based extender and cryopreserved using the programmable freezer (CBS Freezer 2100 series, Laboratory consumables & chemical suppliers, America). Ovaries were collected from a neighbouring slaughter house and conveyed to the lab in 0.9% saline at 37 °C. Data (sperm parameters and in vitro fertility) was then exposed to the GLM (General Linear Model) in Minitab 17. Pearson's correlation coefficient was utilized to investigate the relationship between cryopreserved sperm quality and in vitro fertility. The student Least Significant Difference Test was used to separate the treatment means, and differences were accepted when the p-value was less than 0.05. The FLO + ASA group had higher (p < 0.05) progressive (36.33 ± 1.87), total (88.24 ± 2.24), rapid motility (27.52 ± 1.74), intact plasma membrane (75.67 ± 2.08), total fertilization (65.98 ± 7.39), and total cleavage (66.19 ± 6.50) when compared to other treatment groups. Total fertilization rate had a medium significant (p < 0.001) medium correlation with the progressive motility (r2 = 0.435), total motility (r2 = 0.447) and rapid motility (r2 = 0.409). In conclusion, dietary flaxseed and ascorbic acid (FLO + ASA) improves cryopreserved semen quality, in vitro fertilization rate, and the total cleavage rate. Noteworthy, the progressive, total and rapid motility play a crucial in the in vitro fertilization rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jabulani Nkululeko Ngcobo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
| | | | - Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe
- Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Sindisiwe Mbali Sithole
- 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
| | - Tlou Caswell Chokoe
- Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Directorate Farm Animal Genetic Resource, Private Bag X250, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Shahrajabian MH, Sun W. The Power of the Underutilized and Neglected Medicinal Plants and Herbs of the Middle East. Rev Recent Clin Trials 2024; 19:159-175. [PMID: 38409705 DOI: 10.2174/0115748871276544240212105612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The Middle east and North Africa harbour many native species with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. Since the beginning of history, food and herbal medicinal plants have been an essential part of human lives and the traditional Middle Eastern healthcare system. The notable medicinal plants that have been mentioned in the Bible, which are common in West Asia and some regions of North Africa, are Aloe vera, anise, balm, cassia, cinnamon, cumin, flax, and fig. Chemical components of Aloe vera are aloin, sinapinic acid, catechin, chromone, myricetin, quercitrin and syringic acid. Anethole, safrole, and estragole are the main chemical components of anise. The chemical components of cassia are coumarin, emodin, cinnamyl alcohol, and cinnamaldehyde. The major chemical ingredients of cumin are terpinene, cuminaldehyde, sabinene, thujene, and thymoquinone. The goal of this article is to review the considerable health benefits and pharmaceutical benefits of medicinal herbs and plants that have been neglected and underutilized in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as to promote their utilization. On the basis of the results, the experimented neglected medicinal plant can offer various advantages when used together with conventional medicinal treatments for various health conditions, such as palliative care in managing the side effects of conventional treatments, access to a wider range of treatments, increased patient satisfaction, and improved emotional and mental well-being. Moreover, consuming medicinal plants may help to manage and prevent diabetes, cancer, and heart disease with notable anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenli Sun
- Biotechnology Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China
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Khalil WA, Hassan MAE, Attia KAA, El-Metwaly HA, El-Harairy MA, Sakr AM, Abdelnour SA. Effect of olive, flaxseed, and grape seed nano-emulsion essential oils on semen buffalo freezability. Theriogenology 2023; 212:9-18. [PMID: 37672891 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The existing treatise targeted to compare the effects of adding different nano-emulsions essential oils (olive, flaxseed, and grapeseed oils) in freezing extender on semen quality and freezability in buffalo. Nano-emulsions were prepared from olive, flaxseed, and grapeseed oils and characterized for their sizes and shapes. Semen extended in four tubes were supplemented with 0 (control) and 3.5% nanoemulsion oils, including olive (NEO), flaxseed (NEFO) and grape seed oils (NEGSO) respectively. NEGSO resulted in the highest (p < 0.05) membrane integrity, vitality, progressive motility (P-motility) of sperm compared to the other groups in post-thawed buffalo bull semen (at 37 °C for 30 s). The addition of NEGSO had the best results for membrane integrity, progressive motility, and vitality of sperm after incubation (at 37 °C and 5% CO2 for 2 h). A superior (p < 0.05) value of total antioxidant capacity in frozen-thawed spermatozoa was monitored in all supplemented groups as relative to the control. The values of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) were lower (p < 0.05) in NEGSO group compared with other groups. Both NEO and NEFO exhibited the same results for MDA, and NO levels (p > 0.05). All supplemented groups exhibited lower hydrogen peroxide levels (p < 0.05) as relative to the un-treated group. The lowest (p < 0.05) caspase 3 levels were verified in NEGSO treatment, followed by NEFO and NEO treatments. Post-thawed sperm showed ultrastructural damages in the control group, and theses damages were attenuated or resorted by the NEGSO, NEFO and NEO supplemented to freezing extender. In consequences with in vitro results regarding the sperm attribute, a greater pregnancy rate (92%) was observed in NEGSO group as compared with NEFO (88%), NEO (76%) and CON (68%) groups. Our findings demonstrate that NEGSO (3.5%) could be used as a new strategy in enhancing sperm functionality, potential fertility and reducing the oxidative damage and apoptosis markers. This could be significantly applicable for sperm physiology cryopreservation in the milieu of assisted reproduction systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wael A Khalil
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Mahmoud A E Hassan
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, 12619, Egypt.
| | - Kandil A A Attia
- Department of Evaluation of Natural Resources, Environmental Studies and Research Institute, El-Sadat City University, Cairo, 32897, Egypt.
| | - Hassan A El-Metwaly
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, 12619, Egypt.
| | - Mostafa A El-Harairy
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt.
| | - Abdelaziz M Sakr
- Animal Production Research Institute, Agriculture Research Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, 12619, Egypt.
| | - Sameh A Abdelnour
- Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44511, Egypt.
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Kalo D, Reches D, Netta N, Komsky-Elbaz A, Zeron Y, Moallem U, Roth Z. Carryover effects of feeding bulls with an omega-3-enriched-diet-From spermatozoa to developed embryos. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265650. [PMID: 35324945 PMCID: PMC8947395 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The impact of omega-3 nutritional manipulation on semen cryosurvival and quality post thawing is controversial. Our aim was to examine how feeding bulls with omega-3 supplementation from different sources affects the spermatozoa quality parameters. Fifteen Israeli Holstein bulls were fed for 13 weeks with a standard ration top-dressed with encapsulated-fat supplementation: fish or flaxseed oil or saturated fatty acids (control). Ejaculates were collected before, during, and after the feeding trial. Frozen-thawed samples were evaluated by a flow cytometer for spermatozoa viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), acrosome membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine translocation, and membrane fluidity. Both fish and flaxseed oil treatment resulted in lower ROS levels vs. control groups, during and after the feeding trial. Fewer spermatozoa with damaged acrosomes were observed in the fish oil group after the feeding trial. The spermatozoa membrane fluidity was altered in both the fish and flaxseed oil groups throughout the feeding trial, but only in the flaxseed oil group after the feeding trial. The proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA was lower in the flaxseed oil group after the feeding trial. The spermatozoa fertilization competence did not differ between groups however, blastocyst formation rate was higher in the fish and flaxseed oil groups relative to the control. This was associated with differential gene expression in the blastocysts. Overall, the omega-3-enriched food improved the spermatozoa characteristics; this was further expressed in the developing blastocysts, suggesting a carryover effect from the spermatozoa to the embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Kalo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
- ASRC, Animal Sperm Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Dan Reches
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Noam Netta
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, Israel
| | - Alisa Komsky-Elbaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
- ASRC, Animal Sperm Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yoel Zeron
- ASRC, Animal Sperm Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
- SION Artificial Insemination and Breeding Center, Hafetz-Haim, Israel
| | - Uzi Moallem
- Department of Ruminant Science, Institute of Animal Science, Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, Israel
| | - Zvi Roth
- Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
- ASRC, Animal Sperm Research Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
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Ngcobo JN, Ramukhithi FV, Nephawe KA, Mpofu TJ, Chokoe TC, Nedambale TL. Flaxseed Oil as a Source of Omega n-3 Fatty Acids to Improve Semen Quality from Livestock Animals: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123395. [PMID: 34944172 PMCID: PMC8698102 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In response to the conservation of threatened livestock species, different strategies to improve semen quality have been developed. However, spermatozoa remain sensitive to cryopreservation damages especially that of avian species, thus limiting the use of reproductive biotechnologies such as artificial insemination in the conservation programs. Improving semen quality through dietary inclusion of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids sources mainly omega n-3 has received research interest. This review explains the role of flaxseed oil as a source of omega n-3 fatty acids to improve semen quality. Comprehensive information elaborated in this review is believed to promote the use of flaxseed oil as an alternative source of omega n-3 fatty acids to fish oil. This is because fisheries are over-exploited and could collapse. Abstract The demand to conserve indigenous species through the cryo-gene bank is increasing. Spermatozoa remain sensitive to cryopreservation damages especially that of avian species thus limiting the use of reproductive biotechnologies such as artificial insemination in the conservation programs. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFAs), specifically omega n-3, expanded a research interest to improve animal reproductive efficiency through improving spermatozoa quality. This is driven by the fact that mammals cannot synthesize omega-3 de-novo because they lack delta-12 and delta-15 desaturase enzymes thus supplemented in the diet is mandatory. Delta-12 and delta-15 add a double bond at the 12th and 15th carbon-carbon bond from the methyl end of fatty acids, lengthening the chain to 22 carbon molecules. Fish oil is a pioneer source of omega n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. However, there is a report that numerous fisheries are over-exploited and could collapse. Furthermore, processing techniques used for processing by-products could complement alterations of the amino acid profile and reduce protein retrieval. Alternatively, flaxseed oil contains ±52–58% of total fatty acids and lignans in the form of α-linolenic and linoleic acid. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA,18:3n-3) is enzymatically broken-down de-novo by delta-6 desaturase and lengthened into a long-chain carbon molecule such as eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n-3). Nevertheless, controversial findings following the enrichment of diet with flaxseed oil have been reported. Therefore, this paper is aimed to postulate the role of flaxseed oil as an alternative source of omega n-3 and n-6 fatty acids to improve semen quality and quantity from livestock animals. These include the interaction between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and spermatogenesis, the interaction between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and testicular cells, and the effect of flaxseed oil on semen quality. It additionally assesses the antioxidants to balance the level of PUFAs in the semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jabulani Nkululeko Ngcobo
- Department of Animal Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (K.A.N.); (T.J.M.); (T.L.N.)
- Agricultural Research Council, Germplasm, Conservation, Reproductive Biotechnologies, Private Bag 0062, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +27-67-282-4956
| | - Fhulufhelo Vincent Ramukhithi
- Agricultural Research Council, Germplasm, Conservation, Reproductive Biotechnologies, Private Bag 0062, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe
- Department of Animal Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (K.A.N.); (T.J.M.); (T.L.N.)
| | - Takalani Judas Mpofu
- Department of Animal Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (K.A.N.); (T.J.M.); (T.L.N.)
| | - Tlou Caswell Chokoe
- Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Directorate, Farm Animal Genetic Resource, Private Bag X250, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
| | - Tshimangadzo Lucky Nedambale
- Department of Animal Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa; (K.A.N.); (T.J.M.); (T.L.N.)
- Agricultural Research Council, Germplasm, Conservation, Reproductive Biotechnologies, Private Bag 0062, Pretoria 0001, South Africa;
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