Influence of spirulina supplementation on growth performance, puberty traits, blood metabolites, testosterone concentrations, and semen quality in Barki male lambs

Abstract

Background: The fertility and genetic value of the flock can be enhanced by selecting lambs with highly developed early puberty characteristics. Spirulina (SP) has been evaluated as a natural product supplement to boost lamb growth, immunity, and productivity. Aim: Study growth performance, blood metabolites, puberty development traits, semen quality, and seminal plasma biochemical concentrations of growing Barki lambs when supplemented with SP at different levels. Methods: in a 24 weeks study, 30 Barki male lambs weighing an average of 21.78 ± 2.56 kg, with a body condition score of 3.20 ± 0.55 and an age of about 16 ± 0.24 weeks were used. The lambs were randomly assigned to three groups (10 lambs each) of daily SP supplementation levels per lamb of 0 ml (control), 50 ml (SP1), and 100 ml (SP2). The SP powder was made into a water suspension using SP to water ratio of 1 g:10 ml. The growth characteristics, as well as the development of puberty, blood metabolites, and semen quality analysis of every lamb, were measured. Results: The growth performance was greater ( p < 0.05) in SP2 lambs compared with other lambs. While daily dry matter intake was not affected by SP treatment, feed efficiency had significantly improved in SP2 groups. Furthermore, the SP2 lambs have attained puberty at early ages than the control lambs. The testes volume of SP2 lambs was bigger ( p < 0.05) than other groups throughout the pre-pubertal up to the puberty stage. The addition of SP had no effects on the total protein, glucose, and triglycerides concentrations. Meanwhile, the cholesterol concentration was lowest ( p < 0.05) in the SP2 lambs. The blood and seminal plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased ( p < 0.05) in the SP lambs more than their control counterparts. The levels of superoxide dismutase reduced glutathione, and total antioxidants had increased ( p < 0.05) in the treated lambs compared with the control group. Further, the malondialdehyde levels decreased ( p < 0.05) in the SP-treated lambs. Additionally, the SP2 lambs produced better semen quality than the control lambs. Conclusion: SP supplementation (100 ml/head/day) enhanced growth performance, feed efficiency, and antioxidative status, exerting a positive influence on the physiological parameters and sexual behavioral patterns at puberty in Barki lambs.

Effect of Lipid Profile and Liver Enzymes by Adding Spirulina Platensis to Feed with Different Levels of Protein in Local Male Sheep

“…As for SP treatments for days 45 and 90, they didn't significantly affect the levels of lipids (CHOL, TG, HDL, LDL, and VLDL), except for a significant difference for the T3 factor in the levels of TG and VLDL. These results are consistent with the study of Mansour and Zeitoun [16], who didn't notice any significant effect of SP on TG levels. On the other hand, we disagree with it in terms of its effect on blood CHOL concentration.…”

“…As for the interaction, it significantly affected the AST for both periods 45 and 90, while ALT was affected in period 90 and was not affected in period 45. These results agreed with the study of Mansour and Zeitoun [16] where they found a significant effect on the level of AST of SP treatments compared to the control treatment. On the other hand, there was a study by [22,25] who indicated that SP supplements led to a decrease in level of ALT and AST in blood serum of different breeds of sheep.…”

Optimizing Reproductive Outcomes of Peranakan Etawa Goat with Microalgae Diet by Determining Ovarian Activity, Estradiol 17β Levels and Serum Malondialdehyde

“…It was placed on a hotplate inside a glass beaker and heated to 100°C for 20 minutes before being allowed to cool to room temperature. According to Mansour and Zeitoun (2023), the absorbance value of MDA was determined at 530nm.…”

“…For example, Wang et al (2023) examined increases in body score condition (BCS), body weight, and reproductive performance by supplementing Spirulina sp. Mansour and Zeitoun (2023) examined at growth performance, puberty, and blood metabolism in goats given Spirulina supplements; and Eldaim et al (2018) gave a combination of Spirulina sp. and Vitamin A supplements to goats in the late gestation phase, and the result was a decrease in fetal serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNFα).…”