Effects of Dietary Alpha-Lipoic acid supplementation on the seminal parameters and fertility potential in aging broiler breeder roosters

ABSTRACT High levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in avian sperm cause more susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Aging in roosters reduces the antioxidant capacity of sperm and thus fertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as a feed supplement to improve the semen quality and fertility parameters of aged broiler breeder roosters and identification of its most effective level. A total of forty-two roosters at 45 wk of age were randomly assigned to seven treatments (0, 15, 40, 70, 95, 120 and 145 mg ALA/bird per day) for eight wk. Semen parameters and body weight were assessed bi-weekly, and testosterone plasma levels were determined in the 8th wk of the experimental period. Artificial insemination was performed at the end of the experiment to evaluate the fertility potential. The dietary administration of ALA had no significant effects on body weight, semen volume, average path velocity (VAP), linearity (LIN), straightness (STR), wobble (WOB), the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH), beat-cross frequency (BCF), sperm concentration, morphology, plasma testosterone level, fertility or hatchability (P > 0.05). Alpha-lipoic acid supplementations resulted in a significant decrease in seminal malondialdehyde concentration and immotile (type D) sperms (P