Effect of n-3 PUFA-rich fish oil supplementation during late gestation on kidding, uterine involution and resumption of follicular activity in goat.

We have shown that dietary supplementation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA)-rich fish oil (FO) around the breeding time improved the utero-ovarian functions in the goat. Here, we investigated the effect of FO supplementation during the periparturient period on serum n-3 PUFA, prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM), placental expulsion, uterine involution, resumption of oestrus and neonatal vigour. Rohilkhandi goat in advanced gestation (n = 16) was divided into two equal groups. One group was supplemented with FO containing 26% n-3 long-chain PUFA at the rate of 156 mg per kg body weight, while the control group was fed isocaloric palm oil (PO) from -3 to +3 week of kidding. Dietary FO increased serum concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 7.3- and 6.6-fold, respectively, after 6 weeks of supplementation. Goats in FO group expelled the foetal membranes 99.1 min earlier (p < .01) than those of PO group. Further, dietary FO significantly decreased the serum PGFM on day 7 post-partum. However, no difference was found on uterine involution, which was complete by day 20 post-partum in either group. Resumption of follicular activity by day 5 post-partum was 87.5% in the FO as compared to 25% in the PO group (p < .05). Similarly, occurrence of behavioural oestrus by day 90 post-partum was 57.1% in goats of the FO group while none of does was in the PO group (p < .01) expressed oestrus. It was concluded that feeding FO-rich diet during -3 to +3 weeks of kidding decreased the PGFM till day 7 post-partum, hastened the expulsion of foetal membranes and reduced the time from kidding to first post-partum oestrus in Rohilkhandi does.

Effect of different levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids rich fish oil supplementation on the ovarian and endometrial functions in the goat (Capra hircus).

Decreasing the ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) through dietary manipulation improves the reproductive functions in the dairy cow. This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of n-3 PUFA rich fish oil that provided different levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to determine the optimum dose with respect to endometrial and ovarian functions in the doe. Normal cyclic goats (n = 20) were divided into four groups (n = 5/group) and the fish oil was supplemented for 55 days such that EPA and DHA content were 0, 72, 156 and 312 mg/Kg body weight for CON, LOW, MED and HIGH groups, respectively. The diet was made isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Estrus was synchronized by two PG regimen at 11 days apart with first PG on day 25 of supplementation. Experimental does were observed from second PG till day 17 post-estrus. Ovarian ultrasound revealed that the follicular attributes were comparable among the groups; however, the diameter of CL on day 5 post-estrus was significantly larger in the MED group. Fish oil supplementation even at the lowest dose significantly decreased the serum estradiol (E2) and basal as well as oxytocin (OXT) induced PGFM during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle (P < 0.05). Further, the MED group showed a significant decrease in the serum E2 on day 17 post-estrus as compared to LOW group. A significant increase in the progesterone (P4) on day 14 post-estrus was recorded in the MED group. Neither the effect of treatment nor time was significant either on day 16 or 17 post-estrus with respect to PGEM following OXT challenge (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the dietary fish oil inhibited OXT induced PGF2α release and decreased E2 during the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle in the doe, which will have a favourable effect on the maternal recognition of pregnancy. In addition, MED level (156 mg/Kg body weight) increased the CL size and circulating P4 during the luteal phase.

Effect of supplementation of butylated hydroxytoluene on post-thaw sperm viability, motility and membrane integrity of Hariana bulls.

AIM: This study was aimed to see the beneficial effect of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as a semen additive of Hariana bull semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in Hariana bulls. Twenty-four ejaculates from two bulls were used for this study. Each ejaculate was extended with standard glycerolated egg yolk tris extender and supplemented with BHT at two concentrations as 0.5 mM (T1) and 1.0 mM (T2). After dilution, equilibration and 24 h of cryopreservation, the samples were analyzed for progressive motility, sperm viability and membrane integrity. RESULTS: Progressive motility, sperm viability and sperm membrane integrity were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the samples fortified with BHT as compared to the control during the process of cryopreservation and thawing. The BHT concentration of 1 mM revealed better results as compared to 0.5 mM. CONCLUSION: Addition of 1.0 mM BHT was found better in cryopreservation of Hariana bull semen compared to 0.5 mM BHT and control samples. The addition of BHT has improved the sperm quality by acting as an antioxidant thereby reducing the lipid peroxidation of the sperms.