Effect of dietary selenium and vitamin E supplementation on productive and reproductive performance in rams

Abstract

The studies were carried out on 32 rams of the ossimi breed (270 days of age). Sixteen rams (group 1) received a ration containing 0.2 ppm. Se , and 30 mg vit.E, the other 16 rams (group 2) received 0.5 ppm. Se, and 50 mg vit.E/kg feed mixture .The feeding test was conducted from 270 days until 360 days of age. During the experiment the rams were subjected to live evaluations, i.e. testes circumference, libido level, semen characteristics, as well as selenium concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in blood serum and seminal plasma. Routine macroscopic and microscopic analyses of semen quality were accompanied by measurement of Se content and GSH-Px activity in blood and semen. The Se concentration in blood plasma, seminal fluid and spermatozoa was measured by fluorometric method, while the GSH-Px activity by method based on NADPH - coupled reaction .Comparing the results in animals of both groups , it was clear that the all were in good health conditions as ascertained by clinical examination. No significant variation was detected in body weight of animals of both groups. Significant elevation (p < 0.05) in the values of semen conc., semen conc./ ejac , semen motion , sperm motility / ejac.as well as total sperms count were observed in animals of group 2 as compared to those of group 1 .