Sperm fatty acid composition, semen quality, and reproductive performance of roosters fed diets supplemented with n-3 fatty acids and ginger (Zingiber officinale) (original) (raw)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids and ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on semen quality, sperm fatty acids, and reproductive performance of roosters. Seventy-two roosters (30 weeks old) were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments including 1) basal diet as the control group (F0G0), 2) basal diet supplemented with 20 g/kg fish oil (F2G0), 3) basal diet supplemented with 30 g/kg ginger powder (PG) (F0G3), and 4) basal diet supplemented with 20 g/kg fish oil and 30 g/kg ginger powder (F2G3) for 10 consecutive weeks. The levels of sperm linolenic acid, EPA, and DHA were higher in fish oil-fed roosters (P<0.05). A lower percentage of sperm linoleic and arachidonic acids were recorded in F2G0 and F2G3 groups (P<0.05). At 38 weeks of age, a higher sperm volume was found in F0G3 roosters than in the F0G0 and F2G0 groups. From week 34 to the end of the experiment, sperm viability, sperm abnormality, and sperm motility were significa...