Fig 1 - uploaded by Godratollah Mohammadi
Content may be subject to copyright.
Types of spermatogenic cells in the first control group. SG (spermatogonia), SC (sertoli cell), PS (primary spermatocyte), ES (early spermatid), LS (Late spermatid), SZ (spermatozoid), LC (leydig cell) (H&E.100×)
Source publication
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a plant with phytoestrogenic properties, which has been used as a major part of diets in husbandry. Since there are controversial reports related to the effects of alfalfa consumption on animal fertility, its effects on rat testicular tissue were assessed in the present study. Control (n=15) and alfalfa (n=15) groups we...
Citations
... Gloria et al. [46] and Alm El-Dein [6] confirmed that the best values of all physical seminal characteristics, fertility, and hatchability were obtained with the 4% supplementation comparable to those of the control group in terms of sperm motility, viable sperm fraction, sperm concentration and fertility. These results are similar to the work of [49], in which grape marc supplementation had no significant effect on semen volume and sperm concentration in males, as the intake of 1.5% or 3% dietary grape marc supplementation had significantly higher sperm motility and progressive motility than control group confirming that grape pomace polyphenols may participate in regulating male semen quality [50], but sperm morphology and plasma membrane integrity were not affected by dietary treatment. ...
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with dehydrated grape pomace (DGP) on growth performance, in vivo nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, semen quality, fertility parameters, and biochemical metabolic parameters in blood plasma and seminal liquid of rabbit bucks. Eighteen California-bred rabbits aged 85 ± 5 days with an average weight of 1657 ± 147 g were divided into three homogeneous groups (n = 6). They were fed the same amount of conventional feed (140 g/day) with the addition of dehydrated grape pomace at 0% CT (control), 1% T1, and 2% T2 during 140 days. At the T1 level, DGP did not affect growth performance, feed intake, nitrogen retention, or improved fat digestibility. At the T2 level, DGP improved rabbits' growth performance and feed intake. These wastes also improved fat digestibility but decreased organic matter and crude protein digestibility without altering nitrogen balance. The addition of these wastes to the diet of rabbits at 1% and 2% did not amend age and body weight, testicular diameter at puberty, or blood and seminal fluid metabolites. The dose of 1% improved sperm mass motility and sperm concentration. Thus, the utilization of DGP waste as a feed additive at a 1% level in the diet of rabbit bucks is an eco-friendly strategy to improve the reproductive performance of rabbit bucks without compromising their growth performance.
Graphical Abstract
... Some in-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown promising effects of M. sativa leaves on semen and sperm parameters (Duenhas, 2015;Hadadi et al., 2020). However, some others have reported conflicting results that might be due to differences in the dosage and duration (Erfani, 2017). ...
... However, after 60 days, all these parameters decreased, but it was not significant. They attributed these contradictory results to estrogenic or anti-estrogenic, antioxidant, and endocrine effects of M. sativa (Hadadi et al., 2020). It is noteworthy that the parts of the plant used in the mentioned studies were the leaves, while PM references placed more emphasis on the use of the seeds for this purpose) Aghili (2008). ...
... Some in-vitro and in-vivo studies have shown promising effects of M. sativa leaves on semen and sperm parameters (Duenhas, 2015;Hadadi et al., 2020). However, some others have reported conflicting results that might be due to differences in the dosage and duration (Erfani, 2017). ...
... However, after 60 days, all these parameters decreased, but it was not significant. They attributed these contradictory results to estrogenic or anti-estrogenic, antioxidant, and endocrine effects of M. sativa (Hadadi et al., 2020). It is noteworthy that the parts of the plant used in the mentioned studies were the leaves, while PM references placed more emphasis on the use of the seeds for this purpose) Aghili (2008). ...
... Given these findings, it could be suggested that lignans, mainly secoisolariciresinol, might have greater binding affinity or transcriptional potency than isoflavones, mainly genistein and daidzein, in adult male rabbits, leading to stronger biological actions on spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and libido. Additionally, Hadadi et al. [89] reported that the consumption of Medicago sativa (alfalfa) by adult rats for 30 days resulted in a positive transient effect on the number of seminiferous tubules, primary spermatocytes, sperm cells, and Leydig cells. However, when the experimental period was extended for 60 days, a reduction in the number of germ cells and Leydig cells was observed. ...
Abstract
Reproduction is a complex process that is substantially affected by environmental cues, specifically feed/diet and its components. Farm animals as herbivorous animals are exposed to a large amount of polyphenols present in their natural feeding system, in alternative feed resources (shrubs, trees, and agro-industrial byproducts), and in polyphenol-enriched additives. Such exposure has increased because of the well-known antioxidant properties of polyphenols. However, to date, the argumentation around the impacts of polyphenols on reproductive events is debatable. Accordingly, the intensive inclusion of polyphenols in the diets of breeding animals and in media for assisted reproductive techniques needs further investigation, avoiding any source of reproductive waste and achieving maximum benefits. This review illustrates recent findings connecting dietary polyphenols consumption from different sources (conventional and unconventional feeds) with the reproductive performance of farm animals, underpinned by the findings of in vitro studies in this field. This update will help in formulating proper diets, optimizing the introduction of new plant species, and feed additives for improving reproductive function, avoiding possible reproductive wastes and maximizing possible benefits.
Keywords: plant polyphenols; antioxidant; reproduction; farm animals; hormones
