379 Impacts of Serecia Lespedeza and Black Seed Meal Dietary Supplementation on Sperm Quality and Fertilityvariables of Male Goats

Abstract

Abstract Infertility is a significant issue in the livestock industry. Parasitic infestation is a significant cause of infertility in small ruminants. Sericea Lespedeza (SL) and Black seed meals (BSM) have been reported to improve sperm quality and fertility in rodents; however, little is known about their effects on livestock. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of feeding male goats with SL and BSM on their sperm quality and fertility. We conducted an 8-week pen study involving 60 mature, intact Spanish bucks divided into four groups. The animals were randomly assigned to four groups and fed diets of 60% pellets and 40% concentrate. The treatment groups were SL (n = 15), SL+ BSM (n = 15), alpha-alpha with deworming (n = 15), and alpha-alpha without deworming (naturally parasitized n = 15). At the end of the trial, scrotum circumferences (SC) were measured, and the animals were transported to a processing facility for slaughter. Testicles and epididymides were collected after slaughter for measuring their weights and lengths. Epididymal spermatozoa were retrieved and evaluated for their motility, concentration, viability, abnormalities, and membrane integrities. No significant differences were observed in SC and sperm motility between the 4 groups (ranged 56.7% to 67.3%). However, sperm cell concentrations, viable sperm, and the percentage of sperm with intact acrosome were greater (P < 0.05) in SL and SL+BSM groups than in the other 2 groups. Furthermore, the sperm abnormalities were less (P < 0.05) in SL and SL+BSM groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with SL and BSM significantly improved sperm viability and reduced sperm abnormalities in goats. This study assures the potential benefits of SL and BSM on the fertility of male goats.