Effect of Zinc and Selenium Supplementation Feeding on Quality of Buffalo Bull Semen

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on 15 breeding Murrah buffalo bulls of about 37.28 months of age and 349±2.39 kg average body we1ght, divided into three groups; group-! kept as control, Bulls in group-11 were on the same feeding regime as 1n group-1 , except additional 35 ppm Zn as zinc propionate was supplemented in the ration of these ammals, Similarly, ration fed to animals of group-Ill were additionally supplemented with 35 ppm Zn as zinc propionate plus 0.2 ppm Se as sodium selenite. The supplementation was continued for 6 months from June to November and four spermatogenic cycles were covered as the time required to complete one cycle of spermatogenesis is about 38 days in buffalo bulls, the collected semen reflected the complete effect of Zn and Se supplementation. To investigate the effect of zinc and selenium supplementation feeding on quality of buffalo bull semen, and semen were evaluated for various semen quality parameters viz. semen ejaculate volume, mass activity, sperm concentration/mi. sperm concentration/ ejaculate, live sperm %, live sperm/ejaculate, abnormal sperm %, intact acrosome and hypoosmotic swelling test. Semen quality was assessed for sperm motion and velocity parameters with computer assisted sperm analyzer. Testosterone hormone profiles of these bulls were also determined in blood plasma. Mean values of semen quantitative and qualitative characteristics at the start of the experiment were statistically non significant in all the groups, however, there were statistically significant differences among the groups after 6 months of Zn and Se supplementation. Mean ejaculate volume (ml) was significantly higher in II and Ill groups as compared to the control group of bulls. Similarly, sperm concentration (million.mL'1 ), and live sperm (%), progressive motility(%) were significantly higher in supplemented groups as compared to the control group. The results HOST and acrosomal integrity revealed a significant improvement 1n sperm functional ability in groups supplemented with Zn and Se as compared to the control group. . Zn and Se supplementation made in the diets of the treated group has Improved the sperm motion parameter in terms of progressive motility and velocity parameters 1n terms of VSL, STRand UN. However, benefit of the supplementation of Zn and Zn plus Se was not reflected in the motion parameters viz. total, rapid, slow sperm motility and velocity parameters viz. VAP, VCL, ALH, BCF .. ELO~ and Size. Zn plus ~e supplementation achieved over all improvement 1n des~rable mot~on and veloc1~ parameters similar to Zn supplemented_gr~up. Test.oster~ne concentration (ng.ml(-1))'" blood plasma was higher but non Significantly 1n ammals of groups II a~d 1_11, as compared to control group. It may be conclu~ed. that Zn and ~e supple_mentallon 1n th~ diet of Murrah buffalo bulls improved the quahtat1ve and qu~~btat1ve attnbutes o~ _semen, however, the number of sperm per ejaculate, mass r:notihty a~d semen fertthty test, HOST and acra~al integrity were significantly higher tn bulls gtven 35_ ppm Zn as zmc propionate and 'Zn as zinc propionate plus 0.2 ppm Se as sod tum selemte as compared to control.