Linseed oil in boar's diet improved in vivo fertility and antioxidant status

Abstract

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are produced during storage of boar semen are causing oxidative stress and leads to poor fertility. Also, tropical and sub-tropical weather condition adversely impacts the physicomorphological quality and fertility of boar sperm. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of feeding linseed oil to boar on its seminal attributes, sperm kinetics, biomarkers of antioxidant, fatty acid profile of seminal plasma (SP) and sperm and in vivo fertility. Six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed with 90 ml linseed oil (LIN) whereas six Hampshire crossbreed boars were fed 90 ml canola oil (CON) for 16 weeks. Sperm quality was evaluated (60 ejaculates for each group; a total of 120 ejaculates) for motility, livability, abnormal morphology, acrosomal membrane integrity, hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and sperm kinetic parameters by computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) at 0 h and at 72 h of storage at 17°C. Biomarkers of antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase; GPx, cata-

Dietary Supplementation with Linseed Oil Ethyl Esters Improves Sexual Behavior and Chosen Seminal Parameters in Porcine Species

“…This is the first report of the application effects of EELO on boar semen quality which shows its positive effects on reproduction parameters. Previous data have [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ] shown that the application of different sources of PUFAs in boar diets significantly increased semen volume, total sperm pen ejaculate and sperm concentration, in addition to reducing reaction time. This may be due to the ability of PUFAs to affect many factors which are related to the synthesis and metabolism of essential reproductive hormones, such as testosterone and prostaglandin [ 40 ].…”

“…Many researchers [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 41 , 42 , 43 ] have reported an increase in the total number of sperm in boars consuming supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids. What is more, they indicated that the application of dietary supplements increased the duration of ejaculation.…”

“…Bielas et al (2013) [ 42 ], Singh et al (2021) [ 8 ] and Singh et al (2023) [ 10 ] reported that supplementation with linseed meal or oil in boars’ feed improved the motility of sperm in terms of curvilinear velocity, linearity and amplitude of lateral head displacement.…”

“…This effect can be withheld by the application of antioxidants. Supplementation with dietary PUFAs from different sources, such as fish oil [ 6 ], microalgae [ 7 ] and flaxseed oil [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], is practicable, and the positive effects on boar semen have been confirmed.…”

“…Deficiency in this acid manifests in disorders of the proper functioning of the body (cell membranes, skin, the immune system, the circulatory system and the nervous system). It has a positive effect on the quality of male semen [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. It can elongate and add new double bonds and thus convert into eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ( Figure 1 ) [ 16 ].…”