Evaluation of mineral profile, testosterone, antioxidant enzymes and seminal attributes in infertile male dogs supplemented with certain vitamins and minerals

Abstract

This study discusses the seminal attributes, serum testosterone levels and serum antioxidants and mineral profile in six infertile male dogs and the effect of dietary supplementing certain minerals and vitamins for 90 days on their subsequent fertility conducted in small animal OPD, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bengaluru. Serum and semen samples were evaluated for ejaculate volume, pH, individual sperm motility, percentage of live sperm, sperm cell concentration (million/mL) and sperm abnormalities. Results revealed that significant improvement (p<0.005) in serum zinc concentration was noticed on day 90 while other minerals were within the normal physiological range post supplementation. Antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase concentration significantly increased by day 90 of supplementation, while the levels remained unaltered for superoxide dismutase and catalase. Significant improvement (p<0.005) in seminal attributes viz. sperm concentration, sperm motility sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity noticed on day 90 whereas, reduction in sperm abnormality on day 60 and day 90 which corresponds to the normal physiological length of total duration of spermatogenesis in dogs. Serum testosterone concentration did not improve significantly after 90 days of supplementation. In conclusion, supplementation with minerals and vitamins for 60 days and beyond can improve the quality of semen in dogs with lowered fertility.