Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-wq2xx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T22:41:00.372Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Antioxidants and poultry semen quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2011

R.U. KHAN*
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*
Corresponding author: rifatullahkhhan@gmail.com
Get access

Abstract

Avian spermatozoa are characterised by high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) which is associated with increased susceptibility to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation. Recent advances in avian reproduction have focused on the potential of ROS as one of the prime mediators of infertility. Although ROS are involved in many physiological functions of spermatozoa, their excessive production may result in oxidative stress. The production of ROS is enhanced during unfavourable environmental and stressful conditions, and an effective scavenging system is essential to counter the production of ROS. Antioxidants are compounds that suppress the formation of ROS. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants build a powerful antioxidant system in avian semen which is able to protect it against ROS and lipid peroxidation. The balance between ROS and antioxidants in avian semen is a fundamental determinant of membrane integrity, sperm viability and fertilising ability. A regulating role of ROS in sperm function in mammalian sperm along with their counteractive mechanisms have been extensively studied; but their role for avian species reproduction remains to be elucidated. Various antioxidants belonging both to enzymatic and non-enzymatic groups can counter oxidative stress. Hence the rationale of using antioxidants is advocated.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © World's Poultry Science Association 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ADABI, S.G., BABAEI, A.H., MOGHADDAM, G., TAGHIZADEH, A. and FARAHVASH, T. (2008) L.carnitine effects on quantity and quality of African black neck ostrich sperm. Journal of Veterinary and Animal Advance 7: 51-55.Google Scholar
AGARWAL, A. and SALEH R.A., (2002) Role of oxidants in male infertility: rationale, significance, and treatment. Urologic Clinics of North America 29: 817-827.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
AGARWAL, A., SALEH, R.A. and BEDAIWY, M.A. (2003) Role of reactive oxygen species in the pathophysiology of human reproduction. Fertility and Sterility 79: 829-843.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
AGARWAL, A. and PRAKARAN, S.A. (2005) Oxidative stress and antioxidants in male fertility: a difficult balance. Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine 3: 1-8.Google Scholar
AITKEN, R.J., CLARKSON, J.S., HARGREAVE, T.B., IRVINE, D.S. and WU, F.C. (1989) Analysis of the relationship between defective sperm function and the generation of reactive oxygen species in cases of oligozoosperm. Journal of Andrology 10: 214-220.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ALKAN, I., SIMSEK, F., HAKLAR, G., KERVANCIOGLU, E., OZVERI, G., YALCIN, S. and AKDAS, A. (1997) Reactive oxygen species production by the spermatozoa of patients with idiopathic infertility: relationship to seminal plasma antioxidations. Journal of Urology 157: 140-143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ALVAREZ, J.G. and STOREY, B.T. (1995) Differential incorporation of fatty acids into and peroxidative loss of fatty acids from phospholipids of human spermatozoa. Molecular Reproduction and Development 42: 334-346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
BARBER, S.J., PARKER, H.M. and MCDANIEL, C.D. (2005) Broiler breeder semen quality as affected by trace minerals in vitro. Poultry Science 84: 100-105.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
CASTILLO, C., BENEDITO, J.L., LOPEZ-ALONSO, M., MIRANDA, M. and HERNANDEZ, J. (2001) Importancia del estrés oxidativo en ganado vacuno: en relación con el estado fisiológico (preñez y parto) y la nutrición. Archivos de medicina veterinaria 33: 5-20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DE LAMIRANDE, E. and GAGNON, C. (1995) Human sperm hyperactivation in whole semen and its association with low superoxide scavenging capacity in seminal plasma. Fertility and Sterility 59: 1291-1295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DIMITROVE, S.G., ATANASOVE, V.K., SURAI, P.F. and DENEV, S.A. (2007) Effect of organic selenium on turkey semen quality during liquid storage. Animal Reproduction Science 100: 311-317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
DOBRESCU, O. (1987) Vitamin C addition to breeder diets increase turkey semen production. Feedstuffs 59: 18.Google Scholar
DONOGHUE, A.M. and DONOGHUE, D.J. (1997) Effects of water- and lipid-soluble antioxidants on turkey sperm viability, membrane integrity, and motility during liquid storage. Poultry Science 76: 1440-1445.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
EDENS, F.W. and SEFTON, A.E. (2002) Selenomethionine supplementation to diets of broiler breeders improves performance. Poultry Science 81: 91.Google Scholar
EID, Y., EBEID, T. and YOUNIS, H. (2006) Vitamin E supplementation reduces dexamethasone-induced oxidative stress in chicken semen. British Poultry Science 47: 350-356.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
ELANSARY, E., ELSHARAWY, G., ASAR, M. and WALEED, F. (1999) Effect of ascorbic acid on semen characteristics of Al­exandria cockerels under hot ambient temperatures. Poultry Science 78: 35.Google Scholar
EVENSON, D.P., DARZYNKIEWICZ, Z. and MELAMED, M.R. (1982) Simultaneous measurement by flow cytometry of sperm cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential related to cell motility. Journal of Histochemistry and Cytology 30: 279-280.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
FROMAN, D.P. and THURSTON, R.J. (1981) Chicken and turkey spermatozoal superoxide dismutase: a comparative study. Biology of Reproduction 24: 193-200.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
FUJIHARA, N. and HOWARTH, J.R.B. (1978) Lipid peroxidation in fowl spermatozoa. Poultry Science 57: 1766-1768.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
GOMEZ, E., IRVINE, D.S. and AITKEN, R.J. (1998) Evaluation of a spectrophotometric assay for the measurement of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals in human spermatozoa: relationships with semen quality and sperm function. International Journal of Andrology 21: 81-94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
GOUS, R.M. and MORRIS, T.R. (2005) Nutritional interventions in alleviating the effects of high temperatures in broiler production. World's Poultry Science Journal 61: 463-475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
HALLAK, J., SHARMA, P.K., PASQUALOTTO, F.F, RANGANATHAN, A.J. JR, THOMAS B., and AGARWAL, A. (2001) Creatine kinase as an indicator of sperm quality and maturity in men with oligospermia. Journal of Urology 58: 446-451.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
HARRIS, W.P., HARDEN, T.E. and DAWSON, E.B. (1974) Effect of ascorbic acid medication on semen metal levels. Fertility and Sterility 32: 455-459.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
JEULIN, C., SOUFIR, J.C., WEBER, P., MARTIN, L. and CALVAYRAC, R. (1989) Catalase activity in human spermatozoa and seminal plasma. Gamete Research 24: 185-196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KELSO, K.A., CEROLINI, S., NOBLE, R.C., SPARKS, N.H. and SPEAKE, B.K. (1996) Lipid and antioxidant changes in semen of broiler fowl from 25 to 60 weeks of age. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 106: 201-206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
KEMAL, D.N., MORSHEDI, M. and OEHNINGER, S. (2000) Effects of hydrogen peroxide on DNA and plasma membrane integrity of human spermatozoa. Fertility and Sterility 74: 1200-1207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
KOYANAGI, F., MASUDA, S. and NISHIYAMA, H. (1988) Acrosome reaction of cock spermatozoa incubated with the perivitelline layer of the hen's ovum. Poultry Science 67: 1770-1774.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
LEONHARD, M.S. (2000) Why do trace elements have an influence on fertility? Tierarztl Prax 28: 60-65.Google Scholar
LIN, Y.F., CHANG, S.J., YANG, J.R., LEE, Y.P. and HSU, A.L. (2005) Effects of supplemental vitamin E during the mature period on the reproduction performance of Taiwan native chicken cockerels. British Poultry Science 46: 366-373.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MCDANIEL, C.D., BRAMWELL, R.K., WILSON, J.L. and HOWARTH, B.J. (1995) Fertility of male and female broiler breeders following exposure to an elevated environmental temperature. Poultry Science 74: 1029-1038.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MCDANIEL, C.D., BRAMWELL, R.K. and HOWARTH, B.J. (1996) The male contribution to broiler breeder heat induced infertility as determined by sperm-egg penetration and sperm storage within the hens oviduct. Poultry Science 75: 1546-1554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MCDANIEL, C.D., HANNAH, J.L., PARKER, H.M., SMITH, T.W., SCHULTZ, C.D. and ZUMWALT, C.D. (1998) Use of a sperm quality analyzer for evaluating broiler breeder males: Effects of altering sperm quality and quantity on the sperm motility index. Poultry Science 77: 888-893.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MCDANIEL, C.D., HOOD, J.E. and PARKER, H.M. (2004) An attempt to alleviate heat stress infertility in male broiler breeder chicken with dietary ascorbic acid. International Journal of Poultry Science 3: 593-602.Google Scholar
MCDOWELL, L.R. (1989) Vitamins in Animal Nutrition. Academic Press Inc., New York, USA.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MISRO, M.M., CHOUDHURY, L., UPRETI, K., GAUTAM, D., CHAKI, S.P., MAHAJAN, A.S. and BABBAR, R. (2004) Use of hydrogen peroxide to assess the sperm susceptibility to oxidative stress in subjects presenting a normal semen profile. International Journal Andrology 27: 82-87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MONSI, A. and ONITCHI, D.O. (1991) Effects of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) supplementation on ejaculated semen characteristics of broiler breeder chickens under hot and humid tropical conditions. Animal Feed Science and Technology 34: 141-146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
NEUMAN, S.L., LIN, T.L. and HESTER, P.Y. (2002) The effect of dietary carnitine on semen trait of white leghorn roosters. Poultry Science 81: 495-503.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
NIKI, E. (1993) Function of vitamin E as antioxidant in the membranes, in: MINO, M., NAKAMURA, N., DIPLOCK, A. & KAYDEN, H. (Eds) Vitamin E: Its Usefulness in Health and Curing Diseases, pp. 23-30 (Japan Scientific Societies Press).Google Scholar
NOCKELS, C.F. (1984) Effects of ascorbic acid on chicken metabolism, in: WEGGER, I., TAGWERKER, F.J. & MOUSTGAARD, J. (Eds) Ascorbic Acid in Domestic Animals (Royal Danish Agri. Soc. Copenhagen).Google Scholar
NOWACZEWSKI, S. and KONTECKA, H. (2005) Effect of dietary vitamin C supplement on reproductive performance of aviary pheasants. Czech Journal of Animal Science 50: 208-212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
OLAFSDOTTIR, K. and REED, D.J. (1988) Retention of oxidized glutathione by isolated rat liver mitochondria during hydroperoxide treatment . Biochica et Biophysica Acta 964: 377-382.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
PARDUE, S.L. and THAXTON, J.P. (1986) Ascorbic acid in poultry: a review. World's Poultry Science Journal 42: 107-123.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
PEEBLES, E.D. and BRAKE, J. (1985) Relationship of dietary ascorbic acid to broiler breeder performance. Poultry Science 64: 2041-2048.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SARICA, S., CORDUK, M., SUICMEZ, M., CEDDEN, F., YILDIRIM, M. and KILINC, K. (2007) The effect of dietary L.carnitine supplementation on semen trait, reproductive parameter and testicular histology of Japanese quail breeders. Journal of Applied Poultry Research 16: 178-186.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
SHARMA, R.K. and AGARWAL, A. (1996) Role of reactive oxygen species in male infertility. Journal of Urology 48: 835-850.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SIEGEL, P.B., PRICE, S.E., MELDRUM, B., PICARD, M. and GERAERT, P.A. (2001) Performance of pureline broiler breeders fed two levels of vitamin E. Poultry Science 80: 1258-1262.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SIKKA, S.C., RAJASEKARAN, M. and HELLSTROM, W.J.G. (1995) Role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in male infertility. Journal of Andrology 16: 464-468.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SIKKA, S.C. (2001) Relative impact of oxidative stress on male reproductive function. Current Medicinal Chemistry 8: 851-862.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
STRADAIOLI, G., ZELLI, R., CHIODI, P. and MONACI, M. (2004) Effect of L.carnitine administration on the seminal characteristics of oligoasthenospermic stallions. Theriogenology 62: 761-777.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SUN, J.G., JURISICOVA, A. and CASPER, R.F. (1997) Detection of deoxyribonucleic acid fragmentation in human sperm: correlation with fertilization in vitro. Biology of Reproduction 56: 602-607.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SURAI, P.F., KUTZ, E., WISHART, G.J., NOBLE, R.C. and SPEAKE, B.K. (1997) The relationship between the dietary provision of alpha-tocopherol and the concentration of this vitamin in the semen of chicken: effects on lipid composition and susceptibility to peroxidation. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 110: 47-51.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SURAI, P.F., KOSTJUK, I., WISHART, G., PHERSON, A.M.A.C., SPEAKE, B.K., NOBLE, R.C., IONOV, I. and KUTZ, E. (1998) Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation of cockerel diets on glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation susceptibility in sperm, testes, and liver . Biology of Trace Element Research 64: 119-132.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SURAI, P.F., BRILLARD, J.P., SPEAKE, B.K., BLESBOIS, E., SEIGNEURIN, F. and SPARKS, N.H. (2000) Phospholipids fatty acid composition, vitamin E content and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation of duck spermatozoa. Theriogenology 53: 1025-1039.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SURAI, P.F., SPEAKE, B.K. and SPARK, N.H.C. (2003) Comparative aspect of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection in avian semen, in: SPEAKE, B.K., SPARKS, N.H.C. & SURAI, P.F. (Eds) Male Fertility and Lipid Metabolism, pp. 211-249 (AOCS publisher).Google Scholar
URSO, M. and CLARKSON, P.M. (2003) Oxidative stress, exercise, and antioxidant supplementation. Toxicology 189: 41-54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
VISCONTI, P.E. and KOPF, G.S. (1998) Regulation of protein phosphorylation during sperm capacitation. Biology of Reproduction 59: 1-6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
WANG, X., SHARMA, R.K., GUPTA, A., GEORGE, V., THOMAS, A.J. and FALCONE, T. (2003) Alterations in mitochondria membrane potential and oxidative stress in infertile men: a prospective observational study. Fertility and Sterility 80: 844-850.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
WHITEHEAD, C.C. and PORTSMOUTH, J.I. (1989) Vitamin requirements and allowances for poultry, in: HARESIGN, W. & COLE, D.J.A. (Eds) Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition, pp. 35-86 (Butterworth, London).Google Scholar
WISHART, G.J. (1984) Effects of lipid peroxide formation in fowl semen on sperm motility, ATP content and fertilising ability. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 71:113-118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ZANIBONI, L., RIZZI, R. and CEROLINI, S. (2006) Combined effect of DHA and a-tocopherol enrichment on sperm quality and fertility in the turkey. Theriogenology 65: 1813-1827.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ZHANG, X., BERRY, W.D., MCDANIEL, G.R., ROLAND, D.A., LIU, P., CALVERT, C. and WILHITE, R. (1997) Body weight and semen production of broiler breeder males as influenced by crude protein levels and feeding regimens during rearing. Poultry Science 78: 190-196.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
ZHAI, W., NEUMAN, S.L., LATOUR, M.A. and HESTER, P.Y. (2007) The effect of dietary L-carnitine on semen traits of White Leghorns. Poultry Science 86: 2228-2235.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed