Effect of dietary ellagic acid supplementation on semen quality parameters in chickens

Abstract

Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenoloic constituent in fruits and nuts, has been shown to have antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary EA supplementation on semen quality parameters in chickens. Forty roosters (Dahlem Red breed), 28 weeks of age, were randomly assigned to four groups and fed diets containing EA at 0, 25, 50, or 75 mg/kg for 8 weeks. Semen was evaluated for volume, appearance, individual motility, sperm concentration, 3 -[4,5 -dimethylthiazol -2 -yl] -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) dye reduction test, and live, dead and abnormal sperm counts. The seminal plasma was separated and evaluated for protein, alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation. At the end of the experiment, blood from individual birds was collected, and serum was separated and evaluated for superoxide dismutase activity, lipid peroxidation, and ferric-reducing ability of plasma. Supplementation with EA had no effect (P > 0.05) on gross semen parameters. Seminal plasma protein and lipid peroxidation were different (P<0.01) between the treatment groups. The group fedEAat 75 mg/kg had high (P<0.01) seminal plasma lipid peroxidation and lower (P < 0.05) serum superoxide dismutase activity. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of EA in chickens had no effect on the gross semen qualities and increased lipid peroxidation in seminal plasma.