Effect of dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 on fresh and frozen/thawed sperm quality of dogs

Abstract

For years, fatty acids have been recommended as a dietary supplement to improve canine hair. For animal reproduction, supplementation with omegas has been used to increase the reproductive efficiency and conception rate, but few studies have been conducted in dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of daily dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 on the quality of fresh and frozen/ thawed semen in canines. Semen was collected from seven dogs and evaluated for sperm motility, vigor, concentration, and morphology. The 17-week study included 119 ejaculates and was divided according to oral supplementation with omega-3 and -6: M1 (1 st -5 th week) or pre-supplementation; M2 (6 th -9 th week) and M3 (10 th -13 th week) or during supplementation; and M4 (14 th -17 th week) or postsupplementation. After analysis, the semen was frozen and then revaluated both immediately and 30 minutes (at 37° C) after thawing. Supplementation with omegas increased sperm motility, vigor, and concentration; however, supplementation had no influence on semen freezability. In addition, there was no improvement in sperm motility after supplementation when the thawed cells were maintained at 37° C for 30 minutes. We concluded that dietary supplementation with omega-3 and -6 for 4 to 8 weeks can improve the quality of fresh semen, although it has no effect on the freezability of canine semen. Key words: Canine. Diet-supplemented. Polyunsaturated-fatty-acid. Sperm. ResumoOs ácidos graxos têm sido recomendados há anos como suplemento dietético para a melhora do pelo canino. Na área de reprodução animal, a suplementação com ômega tem sido usada para aumentar a eficiência reprodutiva e a taxa de concepção em muitas espécies, mas poucos estudos foram conduzidos em cães. Então, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação dietética diária com ômega-3 e -6 sobre a qualidade do sêmen fresco e congelado de cães. de 7 cães e avaliados quanto a motilidade espermática, vigor, concentração e morfologia. O estudo foi dividido de acordo com os períodos de suplementação oral com omegas-3 e -6, no qual M1 (1ª-5ª semana) foi considerado o período pré-suplementação, M2 (6ª-9ª semana) e M3 (10ª-13ª semana) período de suplementação e M4 (14ª-17ª semana) pós-suplementação, totalizando 17 semanas de estudo (119 ejaculados). Após a análise, o sêmen foi congelado e reavaliado imediatamente e 30 minutos após a descongelação (mantidas a 37º C). A suplementação resultou em aumento da motilidade espermática, vigor e concentração do sêmen fresco; no entanto, não houve influência na congelabilidade do sêmen. Além disso, não houve aumento da motilidade dos espermatozoides após a suplementação, quando as células descongeladas foram mantidas a 37° C, durante 30 minutos. Concluiu-se que a suplementação dietética com omegas-3 e -6, durante 4 a 8 semanas melhora os parâmetros do sêmen fresco de cães, embora não há nenhum efeito sobre a qualidade espermática após a congelação. Palavras-chave: Ácido-graxo-poli-insaturado. Canino. ...

Antioxidant effects of supplementation of 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl glycol on sperm parameters and oxidative markers following cryopreservation in canine semen

“…Omega-3 and Omega-6 are essential components of the plasma membrane of spermatozoa and when supplied through nutraceuticals increase membrane stability and allow spermatozoa to withstand the physical stress caused by cooling and freezing (Rodrigues et al, 2017). The present study showed that the addition of DHPG to the extender reduced DNA damage and improved plasma membrane integrity in canine semen following thawing.…”

“…Polyunsaturated fatty acids are components of seminal plasma, are present in the membranes of sperm, and influence the fluidity of the membrane, motility and capacitation in sperm (Placer et al., 1966; Retterstol et al., 2001; Zeron et al., 2002). Omega‐3 and Omega‐6 are essential components of the plasma membrane of spermatozoa and when supplied through nutraceuticals increase membrane stability and allow spermatozoa to withstand the physical stress caused by cooling and freezing (Rodrigues et al., 2017). The present study showed that the addition of DHPG to the extender reduced DNA damage and improved plasma membrane integrity in canine semen following thawing.…”

Residual effect after salmon oil supplementation on semen quality and serum levels of testosterone in dogs

“…Various researchers have used different periods of supplementation with PUFAs, such as 60 days (stallions), 16 weeks (boars), 30 weeks (stallions) and 174 days (boars) (Freitas et al, ; Lin et al, ; Liu et al, ; Rodrigues et al, ). We believe our experiment is the first assessing the possible alterations at 60 days after the end of treatment.…”

Commensal Lactobacilli Enhance Sperm Qualitative Parameters in Dogs

“…could enhance sperm quality in dogs. Although the effects of many dietary supplements on dog sperm have been evaluated before ( 26 – 28 ), probiotics effects have not been evaluated yet. We selected three commensal Lactobacillus spp., namely Lactobacillus acidophilus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri (previously known as Lactobacillus reuteri ), and Ligilactobacillus salivarius ( Lactobacillus salivarius ), based on our previous study ( 21 ).…”