The moderating effect of Panax ginseng roots on the male reproductive system and heat shock protein 70 in heat-stressed Japanese quails

Abstract

This research aims to investigate if ginseng may aid in the reduction of the harmful influence of heatstress on the male reproductive system and the level of heat shock protein70. Eighty mature quails were randomly distributed to four equal groups: the control one reared under normal temperature, the heat-stressed group reared under the temperature of 39±1°C for 4 hrs/day, the heat-stressed group treated with ginseng 500 mg/kg diet, and a group reared under normal temperature and treated with ginseng 500 mg/kg diet. The results showed a significant decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total antioxidant capacity, body weight, testis weight, the total number of sperm, and percentage of living sperm, accompanied by a significant increase in MCV, MCHC, heterophil, H/L ratio, heat shock protein70, percentage of dead and malformed sperm in quails exposed to heat stress compared with control. Dietary supplementation of ginseng to birdsexposed to heat stress significantly increased the studiedparameters in comparison to the group under stress. While, the addition of the nutritional supplement ginseng alone led to a significant increase in RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, TAC, low percentage of monocytes, H/L ratio, and heat shock protein70, compared to the control. We conclude that the administration of ginseng as a diet additive can ameliorate the effects caused by heat stress in quail, which is attributed to the antioxidant effect of Panax ginseng and its ability for scavenging free radicals.