Organic Zn and Cu supplementation imprints on seminal plasma mineral, biochemical/ antioxidant activities and its relationship to spermatozoal characteristics in bucks

Iodine Supplementation Improved Antioxidant Status, Hormonal Status, Sexual Behavior, and Semen Production Performance of Bos indicus Bulls Under Tropical Climatic Condition

Iodine is anessential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in male reproduction (sexual behavior and semen production performance) by modulating thyroid function and the antioxidant status of the animal. Nonetheless, in Bos indicus bulls, a thorough evaluation of the effects of dietary iodine supplementation on antioxidant status, seminal quality parameters, and its interaction with other minerals is not documented. Twelve Bos indicus (Sahiwal) bulls were distributed into three groups (n = 4 in each group) viz. T₁ (control), T₂, and T₃ and fed diets containing 0.250, 0.375, and 0.500 ppm iodine/ kg dry matter intake, corresponding to 0%, 50%, and 100% higher than ICAR (2013) recommendations, respectively. The experimental feeding was carried out for 60 days and the effects on nutrient utilization, hormonal and antioxidant status, and sperm function tests were investigated. Results revealed that body weight, dry matter intake, and nutrient digestibility remained unaffected by dietary supplementation of iodine. Testosterone and thyroxine hormone concentrations were improved (p<0.05) in T₂ and T₃ groups. Blood and seminal iodine content were also higher (p<0.05) in both the supplemented groups (T₂ and T₃). Sperm functions viz. viability, physical membrane integrity, acrosomal integrity, motility, and mitochondrial membrane potential were improved (p<0.05) due to iodine supplementation. Furthermore, lipid peroxidation and membrane scrambling in spermatozoa were reduced (p<0.05) in T₂ and T₃ groups. Blood antioxidant status (total antioxidant activity and GPx levels) was improved (p<0.05) in T₂ and T₃. Sexual behavior was also improved (p<0.05) in iodine-supplemented groups. Hence, it can be concluded that iodine supplementation at the dose rate of 0.500 ppm in the Bos indicus bull diet is beneficial in improving hormonal status, antioxidant status, and semen quality.

Organic mineral supplementation on differential protein profile of Osmanabadi bucks (Capra hircus)

The present study aimed to determine the differential protein profile of seminal plasma proteins of bucks supplemented with trace minerals. Forty bucks of uniform size and body weight were assigned as ten groups (n = 4). The control group (T1) was fed with the control diet (concentration mixture and roughages) whereas the remaining groups were supplemented the control diet with Zn20 mg (T2), Zn40 mg (T3), Zn60 mg (T4), Cu12.5 mg (T5), Cu25 mg (T6), Cu37.5 mg (T7), Zn20 mg + Cu12.5 mg (T8), Zn40 mg + Cu25 mg (T9), and Zn60 mg + Cu37.5 mg (T10) for eight months. Seminal plasma proteins from each group were subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis and fifteen differential proteins were selected based on differential expression, subjected to identification using Nano-LC-MS/MS (LTQ-Qrbitrap-MS). The identified proteins were Triacylglycerol lipase, EGF like repeats and discoidin domains 3, Lipocalin, Iodothyronine deiodinase, Transcription factor AP2-delta, 60S ribosomal protein L13, IST1 factor associated with ESCRT-III, Lysozyme, Uncharacterized protein (BRI3-binding protein), Uncharacterized protein, Histone deacetylase 11, General transcription factor IIF subunit 2, Nudix hydrolase 6, Protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit beta and Elongin C. The organic Cu supplemented group is the better than the organic Zn and organic Zn + Cu supplemented groups.