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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 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] [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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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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