Carryover effects of feeding bulls with an omega-3-enriched-diet-From spermatozoa to developed embryos

PLoS One. 2022 Mar 24;17(3):e0265650. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265650. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The impact of omega-3 nutritional manipulation on semen cryosurvival and quality post thawing is controversial. Our aim was to examine how feeding bulls with omega-3 supplementation from different sources affects the spermatozoa quality parameters. Fifteen Israeli Holstein bulls were fed for 13 weeks with a standard ration top-dressed with encapsulated-fat supplementation: fish or flaxseed oil or saturated fatty acids (control). Ejaculates were collected before, during, and after the feeding trial. Frozen-thawed samples were evaluated by a flow cytometer for spermatozoa viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), acrosome membrane integrity, DNA fragmentation, phosphatidylserine translocation, and membrane fluidity. Both fish and flaxseed oil treatment resulted in lower ROS levels vs. control groups, during and after the feeding trial. Fewer spermatozoa with damaged acrosomes were observed in the fish oil group after the feeding trial. The spermatozoa membrane fluidity was altered in both the fish and flaxseed oil groups throughout the feeding trial, but only in the flaxseed oil group after the feeding trial. The proportion of spermatozoa with fragmented DNA was lower in the flaxseed oil group after the feeding trial. The spermatozoa fertilization competence did not differ between groups however, blastocyst formation rate was higher in the fish and flaxseed oil groups relative to the control. This was associated with differential gene expression in the blastocysts. Overall, the omega-3-enriched food improved the spermatozoa characteristics; this was further expressed in the developing blastocysts, suggesting a carryover effect from the spermatozoa to the embryos.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cryopreservation
  • Diet
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3* / pharmacology
  • Linseed Oil / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / pharmacology
  • Semen Analysis
  • Semen Preservation* / veterinary
  • Sperm Motility
  • Spermatozoa

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Linseed Oil

Grants and funding

This research was financially supported by the Israeli Dairy Board, Yahud, Israel, grant number 362-277-12. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.