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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) exert a vital role in sperm quality during semen preservation, where excessive ROS leads to oxidative damage and undermines sperm integrity. Curcumin, a botanical extract, is capable of neutralizing ROS and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of curcumin on sperm viability, acrosome integrity, and antioxidant levels, as well as metabolomic and lipidomic profiles. The results demonstrated that curcumin at 25 µmol/L significantly enhanced sperm motility, plasma membrane, and acrosome integrity, elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes (T-AOC, CAT, SOD), and decreased ROS production ( p < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis identified 93 distinct metabolites that showed significant differences between the control and curcumin-treated groups. KEGG pathways emphasized the participation of these metabolites in key metabolic processes such as the citric acid cycle, cholesterol metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism. Curcumin treatment brought about notable variations in lipid profiles, including increased levels of phosphatidylcholine, acylcarnitine, and triglyceride over the storage time, suggesting enhanced lipid anabolic activity. Overall, the supplementation of curcumin at 25 µmol/L effectively mitigates oxidative stress and prolongs the viability of semen storage at 16 °C by modulating specific metabolic and lipid profiles.

The present study investigated the effects of the nutritional levels of diets on meat quality and related gene expression in Hainan black goat. Twenty-four goats were divided into six dietary treatments and were fed a concentrate-based diet with two levels of crude protein (CP) (15% or 17%) and three levels of digestive energy (DE) (11.72, 12.55 or 13.39 MJ/kg DM) for 90 days. Goats fed the concentrate-based diet with 17% CP had significantly (P < 0.05) higher average daily gains (ADG) and better feed conversion rates (FCR). The pH 24h value tended to decrease (P < 0.05) with increasing DE levels. The tenderness of Longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) and Semimembranosus muscle (SM) reduced with increasing CP levels (P < 0.05). With increasing DE levels, tenderness was increased (P < 0.05). The heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) mRNA expression levels in LD and SM increased with increasing DE levels (P < 0.05), but decreased with increasing CP levels (P < 0.05). The calpastatin (CAST) and μ-calpain mRNA expressions levels in LD and SM were affected significantly (P < 0.05) by CP and DE levels in the diet. Therefore, the nutritional levels of diets affect meat quality and expression levels of genes associated with meat quality in Hainan black goats., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)

This study assessed the effects of different nutrition levels of diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hainan black goat. Twenty-four goats were divided into six diet treatments, which consisted of two levels of crude protein (CP; 15 and 17 %) and three levels of digestive energy (DE; 11.72, 12.55, and 13.39 MJ/kg). The results revealed that 17 % CP significantly (P < 0.05) increased ADG and improved FCR compared with 15 % CP. Therefore, the CP levels of diet affected growth performance. CP and DE levels in the diet had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on carcass characteristics of the goats. The mRNA expression levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 in muscle tissues increased with increasing CP and DE levels (P < 0.05).

The objective of this study was to describe the ultrastructure of germ cells, Sertoli cells and mitochondria in mature testis of the Chinese Taihang black goat. The characteristics of germ cell nucleus and mitochondria changing during spermatogenesis were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the spermatogonium was elliptical, and its nucleus was about 4-5 μm. The round mitochondria can be observed throughout the cytoplasm around the nucleus. Small patches of heterochromatin were distributed throughout the nucleus. Spermatocyte was oval-shaped with a nucleus of about 4-4.5 μm in diameter. The heterochromatin began to attach to the inner surface of the nuclear membrane. Spermatid was about 4 μm and oval in shape. Its nucleus was oval or round and approximately 2-3 μm in diameter. The borderline between nucleus membrane and karyoplasm was distinct. During spermiogenesis, spermatid nucleus was condensed and elongated, and chromatin reached the highest condensation in the mature spermatozoon. The mid-piece was surrounded by mitochondria at the neck region. The sperm tail showed the typical "9+2″ structure, contained axoneme and central singlet microtubules. The nuclei of the Sertoli cells were irregular shaped and showed indentations in the membrane. In the mature testes of goat bucks, abundant mitochondria were around the germ cells and Sertoli cells. The scattered mitochondria were aggregated around the base of the flagellum (axoneme) during the spermatid differentiation stage. In conclusion, the present study showed that the spermatogenic process of Taihang black goat followed the pattern of mammals with some specific., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) foliage is a byproduct of cassava production characterized by high biomass and nutrient content. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on antioxidant capacity, growth performance, and immunity status in goats, as well as rumen fermentation and microbial metabolism. Twenty-five Hainan black goats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5 per group) and accepted five treatments: 0% (T1), 25% (T2), 50% (T3), 75% (T4), and 100% (T5) of the cassava foliage silage replaced king grass, respectively. The feeding experiment lasted for 70 d (including 10 d adaptation period and 60 d treatment period). Feeding a diet containing 50% cassava foliage resulted in beneficial effects for goat growth and health, as reflected by the higher average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and better feed conversion rate (FCR), as well as by the reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CRE), and triglycerides (TG). Meanwhile, cassava foliage improved antioxidant activity by increasing the level of glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and lowering malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, feeding cassava foliage was also beneficial to immunity status by enhancing complement 3 (C3), complement 4 (C4), immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM). Furthermore, the addition of dietary cassava foliage also altered rumen fermentation, rumen bacterial community composition, and metabolism. The abundance of Butyrivibrio_2 and Prevotella_1 was elevated, as were the concentrations of beneficial metabolites such as butyric acid; there was a concomitant decline in metabolites that hindered nutrient metabolism and harmed host health. In summary, goats fed a diet containing 50% cassava foliage silage demonstrated a greater abundance of Butyrivibrio_2, which enhanced the production of butyric acid; these changes led to greater antioxidant capacity, growth performance, and immunity in the goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of α-lipoic acid (LA) on the carcase characteristics, antioxidant capability and meat quality of Hainan black goat were investigated in the present study. Thirty goats (10.71 ± 0.42 kg) were randomly assigned with three levels of LA in the concentration diet (0, 300, 600 mg/kg). The goats fed for 70 days. The results showed that goats fed the diet containing 600 mg/kg LA had a significantly (p < .05) higher ADG and better feed conversion rate (FCR) compared with goats offered the basal diet without LA. There were no differences in carcase characteristics among the three treatments. For antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and catalase (CAT) in serum significantly increased (p < .05) in goats fed with 600 mg/kg LA at day 70. The concentration of malondiadehhyde (MDA) was significantly lower (p < .05) in serum of goats that received 600 mg/kg LA than in the goats fed diet without LA. Addition level of LA had no significant impact on pH and intramuscular fat (IMF) oflongissimus dorsi muscle tissue (LM) and semimembranosus muscle tissue (SM) in the goats (p > .05). However, increasing additional LA in the diet caused a decrease on drip loss and WBSF (p < .05). Treatment of goats with 600 mg/kg of LA has the lowest drip loss and WBSF. These results indicate that diet supplementation with LA may enhance antioxidant capability, improved the growth performance and meat quality in Hainan black goats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Highlights: [•] Ultrastructure of spermatozoa and sperm parameters of freezing‐thawing of goat semen was described. [•] Using the computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) system evaluated the semen kinematic parameter and motility. [•] Freezing–thawing resulted in a significant reduction in spermatozoa motility and increase in unmovable cells. [•] Ultrastructure observations showed an intuitive deformity in sperm head (nucleus), midpiece and mitochondria causing by cryo‐injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]