Comparative evaluation of nutrient composition, in vitro nutritional value, and antioxidant activity of de-oiled meals from walnut, hazelnut, almond, and sesame.

This study aimed to establish a comparative database on the chemical composition, in vitro nutritional value, and antioxidant activity of the de-oiled meals produced from walnut, hazelnut, almond, and sesame seeds from the ruminant nutrition perspective. The meals were provided in dried form after their oil harvest using the cold-pressing oil extraction method. Crude protein (CP) constituted the major component of the meals and was the greatest in walnut and almond (average of 45.6% of dry matter (DM)], intermediate in hazelnut meal (41.4%), and least in sesame meal (33.3%)). Potassium was the most abundant mineral in walnut, hazelnut, and almond meals, followed by phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. The CP fractions determined using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System were largely different across the meals, with fraction A being the greatest in hazelnut (40.9% of CP) and intermediate in almond, sesame, and walnut meals (11.4% of CP). The unavailable CP fraction (fraction C) was the least abundant fraction in all meals, ranging from 0.13% of CP in walnut to 3.30% of CP in hazelnut meal. Oleic and linoleic acids were the predominant unsaturated fatty acids, and palmitic acid was the principal fatty acid in all meals analyzed. The fractional degradation rate (h-1) ranged from 0.043 in almond meal to 0.017 in walnut meal. In vitro intestinal CP digestibility (% of rumen-undegraded protein) ranged from 91.6 in hazelnut meal to 97.2 in almond meal. Total phenolics expressed as milligram tannic acid equivalent/gram DM was greatest in walnut meal (11.9), resulting in the greatest antioxidant activity recorded for walnut meal (83.2%). This study provided a database on the nutrient composition, in vitro nutritional value, and antioxidant capacity of the selected de-oiled meals. Additional investigation is needed to identify the in vivo response of their inclusion in the diet of ruminants.

Effects of different concentrations of BHT on microscopic and oxidative parameters of Mahabadi goat semen following the freeze-thaw process.

Oxidative damage to sperm is one of the main causes for decline in motility and fertility of frozen-thawed sperm. Thus, it is crucial to use cryoprotectant agents in extender in order to prevent lethal intracellular ice crystal formation. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of the antioxidant butylated hyroxytoluene (BHT) on sperm parameters post-thaw. Semen was diluted into five equal aliquots of extender containing different concentrations of BHT (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4mM), aspirated into 0.25 mL straws, and equilibrated at 5°C for 2h. After equilibration, straws were frozen in liquid nitrogen vapor and plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Sperm parameters, including motility and progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and capacitation status, were assessed. Malondialdehiyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity were also evaluated after freezing-thawing. Results of this experiment show that addition of 1mM of BHT to the extender for freezing of goat semen can improve motility, progressive motility and viability (P<0.05) and reduce the MDA level (P<0.01). HOST (hypo-osmotic swelling test), acrosome integrity, capacitation status and GSH-PX were not affected by the concentrations of BHT (P>0.05). Therefore, we conclude that the optimum concentration of BHT for cryopreservation of goat semen is 1mM.

Behavior of mouse spermatogonial stem-like cells on an electrospun nanofibrillar matrix.

PURPOSE: Spermatogonial stem cells are affected by the interactions of extrinsic signals produced by components of the microenvironment niche, in addition to the chemical and physical properties of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, this study was initiated to assess the interaction of these cells on a synthetic nanofibrillar extracellular matrix that mimicked the geometry and nanotopography of the basement membrane for cellular growth. METHODS: This study has used a variety of experimental approaches to investigate the interaction of mouse neonatal-derived spermatogonial stem-like cells on a synthetic random oriented three-dimensional nanofibrillar matrix composed of electrospun polyamide nanofibers (Ultra-Web™). RESULTS: Spermatogonial stem-like cell colonies were characterized by their ability to express α6-integrin, Thy-1, PLZF, and ß1-integrin. After culture of cells on the nanofibrillar surfaces for 7 days, the number of colonies, the number of cells in each colony, and the average area of colonies were increased (P < 0.05). However, the expression difference of related markers in both groups was not significant. A significantly higher proliferation and survival was observed in the nanofibrillar group (P < 0.05). After transplantation into the testes of busulfan-treated adult mice, spermatogonial stem-like cell colonies that were cultured on the nanofibrillar surface demonstrated functionality, as verified by their ability to migrate to the seminiferous basal membrane, where they produced additional colonies. CONCLUSIONS: These results have suggested that electrospun nanofibrillar surfaces could provide a more favorable microenvironment for in vitro short term culture of spermatogonial stem-like cell colonies.

Effects of CoQ10 on the quality of ram sperm during cryopreservation in plant and animal based extenders.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of CoQ10 in soybean lecithin (SL) or egg yolk (EY) extenders on ram semen cryopreservation. Semen samples were collected from five rams, twice a week, then diluted in the extenders (SL and EY) containing different concentrations of CoQ10 as follows: extender containing SL: 0 µM (control, SL/Q0), 1 µM (SL/Q1), 2 µM (SL/Q2), 5 µM (SL/Q5) and 10 µM (SL/Q10) CoQ10; extender containing EY: 0 µM (control, EY/Q0), 1 µM (EY/Q1), 2 µM (EY/Q2), 5 µM (EY/Q5) and 10 µM (EY/Q10) CoQ10. Sperm motion characteristics, membrane integrity, abnormal morphology, viability, apoptotic-like changes, mitochondria active potential, acrosome integrity and lipid peroxidation were evaluated after freeze-thaw process. The SL/Q1, SL/Q2, EY/Q1 and EY/Q2 resulted in greater (P ≤ 0.05) sperm total motility, progressive motility, membrane integrity and mitochondria active potential compared to the other groups. Acrosome integrity in the SL/Q0, SL/Q1, SL/Q2, EY/Q0, EY/Q1 and EY/Q2 groups was greater (P ≤ 0.05) than in the SL/Q5, SL/Q10, EY/Q5 and EY/Q10 groups. The SL/Q2 and EY/Q2 treatment groups had greater (P ≤ 0.05) sperm viability rates and less apoptotic-like changes and lipid peroxidation. The CoQ10 compound could be explored as a novel potential antioxidant for cryopreservation of ram semen because with used of this compound in the present study there was an improved post-thawed sperm quality.

Chrysin-induced sperm parameters and fatty acid profile changes improve reproductive performance of roosters.

Having antioxidant and androgenic effects, Chrysin was orally administrated to roosters and reproductive performance including sperm quality and fatty acid composition, testis index, fertility and hatchability rates as well as blood testosterone concentration were assessed. Twenty eight 40-week-old Ross 308 roosters were individually housed, equally divided into four groups and received different levels of capsulated Chrysin including 0 (Ch0), 25 (Ch25), 50 (Ch50) or 75 (Ch75) mg/bird/day for 12 consecutive weeks. Body weighting as well as semen and blood sampling were weekly done from 1st-10th weeks. A total of three artificial inseminations were carried out on the last two weeks of trial and collected eggs following second insemination were allotted to evaluate fertility and hatchability rates. Sperm fatty acid composition was determined using samples from 12th week. At the end of experiment (12th week) all roosters sacrificed, testis were carefully removed and testis index was calculated. Except for body weight, testis index, sperm abnormality percentage and ejaculated volume, other traits were significantly affected by Chrysin treatment. Sperm total and forward motility, plasma membrane integrity and functionality, semen concentration as well as fertility and hatchability rates were significantly higher in both Ch50 and Ch75 groups compared to control group. In spite of an increasing trend in most of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, the n-6/n-3 ratio was significantly decreased in both Ch50 and Ch75 compared to other groups. Malondialdehyde concentration was also significantly decreased in Chrysin treated groups compared to control group. Blood testosterone level was only significantly higher in Ch75 group than that other groups. In conclusion, Chrysin administration particularly at higher levels alleviates post-peak fertility reduction in roosters; however, further research are needed to disclose involved mechanism(s).

Monthly variation of plasma concentrations of testosterone and thyroid hormones and reproductive characteristics in three breeds of Iranian fat-tailed rams throughout one year.

Nine sexually mature rams, three Shall, three Afshari and three Zandi were used in this study. Semen of rams was collected twice per month during the four seasons of the year and blood samples were obtained via jugular vein. Seminal characteristics, scrotal dimension and blood parameters were measured at 2 week intervals. Time of the year significantly (p < 0.05) affected the volume of semen, sperm concentration, percentage live sperm, percentage abnormal sperm, sperm mass motility, total sperm number, scrotal circumference, relative testis volume and serum levels of testosterone, triiodothyronine and thyroxine. All of semen characteristics, except sperm abnormality, were high in summer months than at other months of the year (p < 0.05). Sperm abnormality was higher in autumn months (p < 0.05). Relative testis volume and testicular circumference were higher in autumn and summer months than at other mouth of the year, respectively (p < 0.05). Scrotal circumference were not significant between Shall and Afshari breeds but comparison with Zandi breed, Scrotal circumference was bigger (p < 0.05). The largest values for thyroid hormones synchronized with low reproductive performance of rams, but testosterone was highest levels at this time (p < 0.05). TimexBreed interaction effect was significant for sperm concentration, total sperm number, semen volume, testis circumference, relative testis volume, thyroid hormones and testosterone (p < 0.05).