Journal
THERIOGENOLOGY
Volume 197, Issue -, Pages 71-83Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.11.037
Keywords
Bull; Breeding soundness; CASA; Flow cytometry; Ergot alkaloids; Motility; Morphology; Prolactin
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Canadian standards allow <= 3000 mg ergot alkaloids/kg cattle feed. A concentration-response relationship was hypothesized between ergot in feed and reductions in plasma prolactin, sperm motility, sperm function, and increase in sperm abnormalities. The study consisted of pre-treatment (12 weeks), treat-ment (9 weeks), and post-treatment periods (10 weeks). Adult bulls were fed 1113 (n = 8; low ergot group) or 2227 (n = 6; high) mg/kg of dry matter intake. Endpoints were measured every two weeks. Ejaculates were analyzed for sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm abnormalities. Data were analyzed by repeated measures MIXED PROC in SAS. Average outside ambient temperature during the pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods was-13 (-31 to 1), 0.5 (-18 to 19), and 21 (13-28) degrees C. Plasma prolactin decreased markedly during treatment (-52.4%; Experimental period p < 0.01). Rectal tem-perature increased during the treatment and post-treatment periods (EP p < 0.01) but was within the normal physiological range. Bull weight increased during the study (EP p < 0.01). Scrotal circumference in low ergot group increased during treatment (+0.8 cm; Tx*EP p = 0.05). Progressive motility in high ergot group decreased during treatment (-7%; Tx*EP p = 0.05), however, semen volume and sperm concentrations were unaffected (p >= 0.11). Live sperm with high and medium MMP decreased during treatment (-1.4 and-3.7%; EP p < 0.01). Results suggest that feeding <= 2227 mg ergot alkaloids/kg has only minor effects on adult bull semen quality.
Canadian standards allow <= 3000 mg ergot alkaloids/kg cattle feed. A concentration-response relationship was hypothesized between ergot in feed and reductions in plasma prolactin, sperm motility, sperm function, and increase in sperm abnormalities. The study consisted of pre-treatment (12 weeks), treat-ment (9 weeks), and post-treatment periods (10 weeks). Adult bulls were fed 1113 (n = 8; low ergot group) or 2227 (n = 6; high) mg/kg of dry matter intake. Endpoints were measured every two weeks. Ejaculates were analyzed for sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm abnormalities. Data were analyzed by repeated measures MIXED PROC in SAS. Average outside ambient temperature during the pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment periods was-13 (-31 to 1), 0.5 (-18 to 19), and 21 (13-28) degrees C. Plasma prolactin decreased markedly during treatment (-52.4%; Experimental period p < 0.01). Rectal tem-perature increased during the treatment and post-treatment periods (EP p < 0.01) but was within the normal physiological range. Bull weight increased during the study (EP p < 0.01). Scrotal circumference in low ergot group increased during treatment (+0.8 cm; Tx*EP p = 0.05). Progressive motility in high ergot group decreased during treatment (-7%; Tx*EP p = 0.05), however, semen volume and sperm concentrations were unaffected (p >= 0.11). Live sperm with high and medium MMP decreased during treatment (-1.4 and-3.7%; EP p < 0.01). Results suggest that feeding <= 2227 mg ergot alkaloids/kg has only minor effects on adult bull semen quality. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
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