Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Fatemeh Abdoli ¹
• Shaban Rahimi ²
• Mohammad Amir Karimi Torshizi ²
• Ali Baghbanzadeh ³

¹ M.Sc. student, Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and objectives: Genetic selection based on high growth rates and slaughter weights in broiler chickens has created numerous challenges for broiler breeders. A negative correlation between growth-related and reproductive traits has resulted in reduced fertility, particularly among male broiler breeders. Consequently, the fertility percentage in meat-type poultry has declined, accompanied by physiological disorders such as reduced sexual desire, decreased mating frequency, and diminished sperm production in these birds. Therefore, the objective of this research is to determine the efficient levels of ginseng (G) and Tribulus terrestris (Tt), as well as to investigate the synergistic effects of these two compounds in the diets of broiler breeders over 40 weeks of age, with emphasis on evaluating sperm quantity and quality and assessing any possible related effects.
Methodology: The field phase of this study was carried out from February 2023 to July 2023 at the Poultry Research Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University. Thirty-two Arian strain roosters, aged 57 weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups (eight birds per treatment) and were fed a daily basal diet supplemented with different levels of G and Tt, including: 1) basal diet without additives (control); 2) 300 mg G powder/kg diet; 3) 150 mg G powder/kg diet + 190 mg Tt extract/kg diet; and 4) 380 mg Tt extract/kg diet. The roosters received these diets from week 57 to week 70, making the experiment duration 13 weeks. Birds were housed individually in cages equipped with an automatic exposure system under a photoperiod of 14 hours light and 10 hours darkness. Temperature and feeding conditions were regulated according to the Arian (Hybro) breeder management manual, and water was supplied ad libitum. To facilitate semen collection, samples were obtained weekly through abdominal massage. Sperm volume, viability, membrane integrity, concentration, and motility characteristics were evaluated using CASA software.
Results: Semen volume, sperm concentration, and survival percentage were not significantly affected by the experimental treatments (G, Tt, G + Tt) and showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, sperm membrane integrity was significantly influenced by the treatments (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of membrane integrity was observed in the combined G + Tt treatment, which differed significantly from the other treatments, except for the G treatment (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the effects of different levels of G and Tt on sperm motility indicated that progressive motility, non-motile sperm, and overall motility were significantly affected by the treatments (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of motile sperm was recorded in the G treatment, which was significantly different from the other treatments except the control (P < 0.05). Conversely, the highest percentage of non-motile sperm was observed in the Tt treatment, which differed significantly from the other treatments, excluding the control group (P < 0.05). Other recorded motility parameters were not significantly influenced by the experimental treatments (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that the combined supplementation of these two medicinal plants (G + Tt) exerted positive effects on reproductive parameters, including improvements in sperm quantity and quality, enhancement of sperm membrane integrity, better motility characteristics, and increased fertility in the roosters.

Keywords

• Antioxidant
• rooster sperm
• testis
• ginseng
• Tribulus terrestris

Main Subjects

• Biological effects of essential oils and extracts