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Effects of Vitamins, Probiotics, and Protein Level on Semen Traits and Some Seminal Plasma Macro- and Microminerals of Male Broiler Breeders After Zinc-Induced Molting

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Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of vitamin E, vitamin C, probiotics, dietary protein level, and their combination on semen traits and seminal plasma macro- and microminerals in 65-week-old male broiler breeders after zinc-induced molting. One hundred eighty birds were induced to molt by mixing zinc oxide (3,000 mg/kg) in the diet. The birds were divided into six groups (five replicates) by completely randomized design. One group was kept as control (16% CP), while the other five were supplemented with vitamin E (100 IU/kg feed), vitamin C (500 IU/kg feed) probiotics (50 mg/L), protein level (14% CP), and their combination. Semen samples were weekly collected for determination of semen volume, sperm concentration, motility, and dead sperm percentage. Analyses of Na, K, Ca and Mg, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu in seminal plasma were also performed. Overall, mean semen volume was significantly high in vitamin E and C supplemented groups compared to control. Overall mean sperm motility was significantly higher in vitamin E supplemented group, whereas dead sperm percentage was significantly lower in the vitamin C group compared to control. Mineral analyses revealed that overall mean seminal plasma Mg increased significantly in vitamin E and C supplemented groups compared to control. Similarly, significantly high overall mean seminal plasma Cu concentration was observed in vitamins E and C and combination groups. It can be concluded that vitamins have a vital role in improving semen quality and bioavailability of Mg and Cu in seminal plasma of the post-molt cockerels.

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Acknowledgment

The study is a part of research conducted under 5000 indigenous PhD fellowship (Batch IV) scheme funded to the first author by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.

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  1. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    Rifat Ullah Khan,  Zia-ur-Rahman, Ijaz Javed & Faqir Muhammad

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  1. Rifat Ullah Khan
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  2. Zia-ur-Rahman
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  3. Ijaz Javed
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  4. Faqir Muhammad
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Correspondence to Zia-ur-Rahman.

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Khan, R.U., Zia-ur-Rahman, Javed, I. et al. Effects of Vitamins, Probiotics, and Protein Level on Semen Traits and Some Seminal Plasma Macro- and Microminerals of Male Broiler Breeders After Zinc-Induced Molting. Biol Trace Elem Res 148, 44–52 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-012-9341-9

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