The capability of coenzyme Q10 to enhance heat tolerance in male rabbits: evidence from improved semen quality factor (SQF), testicular oxidative defense, and expression of testicular melatonin receptor MT1

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) has a great influence on the etiology of male infertility. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), known to have powerful antioxidant effects, has been reported to have such actions that are effective to treat infertility caused by HS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidative effect of CoQ10 on sperm quality, testicular antioxidant activities, and male fertility under HS. For this purpose, 18 mature male rabbits (aged 22 wk) of the Sinai Gabali breed were equally divided into 3 groups and placed at temperature-humidity index of 29 for 8 wk at a farm. The supplementation of CoQ10 at 0, 10, and 20 mg/kg of body weight was done in the first, second, and third groups, respectively. The results showed that the supplementation of CoQ10 had significant (P < 0.05) effect on semen quality factor (SQF) and testicular antioxidant activities by the supplementation of CoQ10. Moreover, a significant improvement in the concentration of testosterone, integrity of testicular DNA, and the expression of melatonin receptors was also observed, which were consistent with a significant improvement in buck fertility. The prolificacy was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in females when inseminated from bucks that were treated with CoQ10. Our results suggest that CoQ10 tends to decrease oxidative stress by enhancing testicular antioxidant activities, which are considered the most important factors for a buck's fertility. Hence, CoQ10 could be a suitable feed supplement to increase fertility, through enhancing the semen quality, in male rabbits and reducing the harmful effects of HS.