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Higher long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids contents in roosters' sperm plasma membrane along with age‐related decrease in antioxidant defense make the spermatozoa very susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Ginger root contains abundant amounts of gingerol, shogaols, gingerdiol and other active compounds, which known as antioxidant compounds to enhance semen quality. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of ginger root on semen quality, blood chemistry, immune response, testicular histology and reproductive performance of Ross‐308 breeder roosters from 47 to 60 weeks of age. The feeding of ginger root resulted in an increase in parameters related to sperm forward motility and seminal total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and following there was a tendency to increase and decrease in seminal superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde concentration, respectively; however, sperm concentration was not affected. There was an increase and tendency to increase in blood total protein and TAC in the supplemented group respectively. The roosters fed ginger supplemented diet had a higher spermiation index; and following there was tendency to increase seminal tubes spermatozoids number (p = 0.056) and repopulation index (p = 0.058). Despite the improved seminal antioxidant status and a tendency to lower embryonic mortality in the ginger‐received group, the fertility and hatchability rate of roosters were statistically insignificant. Supplementations of ginger root in ageing rooster's diet had a beneficial effect on sperm motility, seminal antioxidant status and testicular spermiation index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rooster semen contains high content of long–chain polyunsaturated fatty acids; therefore, spermatozoa are very susceptible to lipid peroxidation. Carob fruit (CF) contains abundant amounts of flavonoid known as natural antioxidants and semen enhancers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of CF on semen characters, blood parameters, immune response, testicular histology, and reproductive performance of aging broiler breeder roosters. Thirty-two 47-week-old Ross-308 breeder roosters were randomly assigned to either control or supplemented (CF, 0 or 1 g/kg diet) dietary treatment for 14 continuous weeks. Semen, blood and testis samples were collected at the end of trial. Furthermore, the rate of fertility and hatchability were evaluated using 440 natural mated hens. The sperm kinematic values and progression ratios, seminal antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activity, and total antioxidant capacity of semen and blood were increased, and malondialdehyde concentration in semen and blood were decreased by dietary CF supplementation (P < 0.01). The treatment had no effect on the seminal sperm concentration, blood parameters and immune response to Newcastle disease virus vaccine. The testes weight, seminal tubes spermatozoids number, spermiogenesis index and repopulation index, were improved by dietary supplementation (P < 0.05). Fertility and hatchability rate of roosters in the CF group were insignificant. In conclusion, CF supplementation in aging roosters' diet enhanced the sperm motility, seminal and blood antioxidant capacity, and testicular spermatogenenic indexes. • Aged roosters response to dietary Carob fruit (CF) supplementation. • CF significantly increased antioxidant status; however, there was no change in testosterone concentrations. • The sperm kinematic values and progression ratios was improved. • CF (1 g/kg) improved testicular spermatogenesis indexes and embryonic mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]