Stimulatory effects of fish oil and vitamin E on ovarian function of laying hen

Maternal nutrition and fetal imprinting of the male progeny

The global population as well as the demand for human food is rapidly growing worldwide, which necessitates improvement of efficiency in livestock operations. In this context, environmental factors during fetal and/or neonatal life have been observed to influence normal physical and physiological function of an individual during adulthood, and this phenomenon is called fetal or developmental programming. While numerous studies have reported the impact of maternal factors on development of the female progeny, limited information is available on the potential effects of fetal programming on reproductive function of the male offspring. Therefore, the objective for this review article was to focus on available literature regarding the impact of maternal factors, particularly maternal nutrition, on reproductive system of the male offspring. To this end, we highlighted developmental programming of the male offspring in domestic species (i.e., pig, cow and sheep) as well as laboratory species (i.e., mice and rat) during pregnancy and lactation. In this sense, we pointed out the effects of maternal nutrition on various functions of the male offspring including hypothalamic-pituitary axis, hormonal levels, testicular tissue and semen parameters.

Can polyunsaturated fatty acids regulate Polycystic Ovary Syndrome via TGF-β signalling?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic condition that affects women in their reproductive age by altering the ovarian hormone levels, leading to infertility. Increased inflammation, insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, and infertility are the causes of morbidity when PCOS is the disease in question. PCOS is considered a multifactorial disease resulting from the disruption of multiple signalling pathways. Hence, the mono-targeted drugs are hardly adequate and conventional therapeutic strategies provide only palliative care. Studies show that the consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) regulates menstrual cycle, decrease testosterone and insulin levels, and improve metabolic health. This could favourably affect diabetes and infertility. In recent years, the fibrillin-3 gene has been linked to PCOS. Fibrillins along with the molecules in the extracellular matrix modulate the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signalling. So, mutations in the fibrillin-3 gene could cause TGF-β dysregulation, which might further contribute to PCOS pathogenesis. Therefore, the current study aimed to understand whether PUFAs could manage PCOS via the TGF-β pathway and function as a therapeutic agent for PCOS and its complications. To understand this, we have focused on the involvement of TGF-β in PCOS pathogenesis, discussed the effect of PUFA on hormones, insulin resistance, inflammation, obesity, adiponectin, and cardiovascular conditions. Using PUFAs to target TGF-β or its receptor molecules to modulate the TGF-β production might function as a treatment option for PCOS. PUFA therapy could be a good alternative, supportive medication for PCOS.

Inclusion of ovine enriched serum with vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the freezing medium: a new strategy to improve human frozen-thawed sperm parameters

The objective was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of 2.5% and 5% ovine serum, enriched with vitamin E (Vit E) and fish oil (FO), in human sperm freezing medium. Serum samples were prepared from sixteen rams (n = 4) feeding on a without supplemented diet, and diets supplemented with Vit E, FO and Vit E + FO. Semen samples, from 60 normozoospermic men, were frozen in: (I) a commercial freezing medium (SpermFreeze™; control medium), (II) the commercial freezing medium containing foetal bovine serum, (III) the commercial freezing medium + nonenriched serum (serum group), (IV) the commercial freezing medium + Vit E enriched serum (Vit E group), (V) the commercial freezing medium + FO enriched serum (FO group) and (VI) the commercial freezing medium + Vit E + FO enriched serum (Vit E + FO group). Sperm total and progressive motility, morphology, viability and plasma membrane integrity were significantly higher (p ≤ .05) in Vit E and Vit E + FO groups compared with the control group. Mitochondrial membrane potential did not differ between treatments (p > .05). It was concluded that ovine serum enriched with vitamin E and vitamin E + FO improved the quality of human spermatozoa but enriched serum containing FO could not improve the sperm cryo-injuries.