Supplementation of organic Zn and Cu on spermatozoal gene and protein expression pattern in male goat Capra hircus

Abstract

This study was conducted to find the effect of organic Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) newlinesupplementation on reproductive performance during the transition from prepubertal to newlinepubertal stage and their role on spermatozoal gene expression and protein profile in newlineOsmanabadi goats. A total number of 40 goats aged 20 weeks were randomly assigned to 10 newlinegroups (each n= 4). The control group was maintained with basal diet, without any additional newlinemineral supplementation. In addition to basal diet, the treatment groups were supplemented newlinewith graded doses of organic Zn at 20, 40 and 60 mg per kg dry matter (DM), Cu at 12.5, 25 newlineand 37.5 mg per kg DM and a combination of Zn+Cu at 20+12.5, 40+25, 60+37.5 mg per kg newlineDM, for a period of 26 weeks (up to the age of 46 weeks) respectively. newlineSexual behaviour and scrotal biometry were recorded periodically. Blood was collected newlinefor the estimation of hormones (Testosterone, Cortisol). Further, semen samples were collected newline(twice a week) for evaluation of semen charectaristics and oxidative stress (TAC and LPO) in newlineseminal plasma. The mounts with ejaculation were observed earlier (Plt0.05) in supplemented newlinegoats (from 38th week of age) than the control group (43rd week onwards). A positive newlinecorrelation (Plt0.05) was observed between testosterone with all the sexual behaviour newlinecharacters (except mounts with ejaculation) mainly in Zn40, Cu12.5 and Zn60+Cu37.5 newlinesupplementations. Further, improvement (Plt0.05) in testosterone hormone (ng/ml) levels, newlinesemen qualitative, quantitative characteristics, TAC and decrement (Plt0.05) in cortisol (ng/ml) newlineand MDA levels, were observed in mineral fed groups. newlineBased on the reproductive performance, the groups such as Zn40, Cu12.5 and newlineZn60+Cu37.5 were selected for molecular studies along with control. Sperm motility and newlinefertility related genes (ODF2, EGFR, ZCCHC6 and MTF1) were expressed significantly higher newlineand correlated with total motility, pH, mass motility, sperm concentration per ejaculation and newlineacrosome integrity in mineral supplemented groups. In addition, Zn and Cu caused reduction newlinein stress related genes (NOS3 and HIF1and#945;) expression and they were positively correlated with newlineseminal LPO. The number of proteins spots were higher, change in protein profile pattern were newlineobserved in mineral supplemented ones than the control group. Therefore, the present study newlineindicates that the diet supplemented with organic trace minerals cause intense sexual behaviour newlineand enhancement of semen quality and quantity though testosterone raise, expression of newlinespermatozoal motility and fertility genes, alterations in protein profile by reducing the stress newlinelevels. newline