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AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the dietary mineral and vitamin supplementation on the hematological, the circulating biochemical parameters, and the reproductive performance of cyclic mares aged 4–12 years old. Purebred Arabian (PAB, n = 8) and East-Bulgarian (EBB, n = 12) breeds were equally divided into treated and control groups. The nutritional supplement was given orally (50 g daily/animal/day) for seven consecutive days and repeated for 4 consecutive months. All mares were examined daily with ultrasound from exhibiting oestrus signs till ovulation. Blood samples were collected with and without anticoagulant before supplementation, on Day 7 and Day 120 for the measurement of ALT, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, calcium, phosphorus, and creatinine and to perform full blood picture. The nutritional supplement decreased lactate dehydrogenase (p < .05) and creatinine (p < .05). Compared to the PAB mares, control mares had one day shorter oestrous cycle length (20.2 ± 2.13 vs 21.0 ± 2.46 days), but the treated EBB mares had two days shorter oestrus cycle (20.00 ± 1.202 vs 22.00 ± 0.93 days). The oestrus phase of the treated mares was shorter (p < .001) than that of the control mares (3.63 ± 0.38 vs 5.50 ± 0.31 days). The diameter of the dominant follicle varied (p < .05) between the two breeds that was 38.25 ± 1.90 and 36.94 ± 1.70 mm for treated and control EBB but was 35.38 ± 1.41 and 34.89 ± 1.35 mm for treated and control PAB. In conclusion, the nutritional supplement had a good effect on the reproductive status, and on the blood parameters (hematological and biochemical) of the mares, but more research is necessary to recommend its use.HighlightsThe addition of the nutritional supplementation to the mares from the East-Bulgarian breed lead to shorter oestrus.There was a tendency to shorten the sexual cycle (up to 2 days) and increase the size of the dominant follicles in mares receiving the supplement.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and 2-mercaptoethanol (ME) added to buffalo semen samples after thawing for 1 h and 2 h incubation. Ejaculates (n = 20) from eight Bulgarian Murrah buffaloes were frozen in pellets and straws at a final sperm concentration of 80 × 106 mL. We investigated the effect of supplementations on the motility, morphology of spermatozoa at 1 h and 2 h after thawing, sperm plasma membrane status and mitochondrial trans-membrane potential. The comparative CASA analysis of the motility and velocity parameters of spermatozoa showed significant differences in the progressive motility and in the VCL values in favour of control vs. samples with additives (p < 0.05). The molecular changes in PM phospholipid asymmetry were higher after thawing (p < 0.05). The semen treated with Vit C showed significant (p < 0.05) lower number of apoptotic spermatozoa (6CF+/Ann V Cy3+) in comparison with samples incubated with ME. The numbers of dead spermatozoa (6CF-/Ann V Cy3+) in samples with ME were significantly higher than other groups. The percentage of spermatozoa with well preserved and functioning mitochondria in control semen was higher (p < 0.05) than that in the experimental group with ME. The results obtained revealed that addition of Vit C (5 µmol/L) and ME (50 µmol/L) has no positive effect on post-thaw semen quality of buffalo sperm, because of the impaired integrity of PM and mitochondrial trans-membrane potential.

The addition of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) to boar semen prior to insemination improves the conception and farrowing rates in sows. It is accepted that this is due to increased myometrial contractility, which improves the spermatozoa movement. However, there are limited data about the effect of the exogenous PGF2α analogs on sperm motility parameters and morphology. The aim of the current study was to define if there are changes in motility, morphology and kinematic parameters of spermatozoa on 1stand 24thhour after addition of PGF2α analogue to extended boar semen. A total of 18 ejaculates, obtained from clinically healthy boars were diluted 1:3 in semen extender, and each of them was separate into four aliquots, 50 ml each. PGF2α was added to 3 of them in concentrations of 6, 12 and 25 μg/ml, and the fourth served as untreated control. The motility, kinematic parameters and morphology of spermatozoa were evaluated on 1stand 24thhours after addition of PGF2α. There was no significant difference in sperm morphology, total and progressive motility between the untreated and treated groups. There was however a significant decrease in the rapid velocity and some of the kinematic parameters (VCL, VSL and VAP) in the group treated with 25 μg/ml compared to the control at the 1sthour after PGF2α treatment, which (except for the rapid velocity) persisted to the 24thhour. The results indicate that addition of Oestrophan (Bioveta, CZ) to the extended boar semen did not improve the sperm motility, morphology and kinematic parameters of the spermatozoa.