Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Herbs on Semen Quality and Oxidative Stress in Subfertile Buffalo Bulls

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the combined effects of herbs on semen quality and oxidative stress in subfertile buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis). A total of 144 semen ejaculates (16 ejaculates/bull) were collected from 3 subfertile buffalo bulls following oral supplementation of Panax ginseng roots, Shilajit, Withania somnifera roots, Tribulus terrestris fruits, Turnera diffusa leaves, Ptychopetalum olacoides bark each @ 400 mg/100 kg body weight and Pausinystalia yohimbe bark @ 300 mg/100 kg body weight of bulls for 60 days. Semen was evaluated for quality and oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) during pre-supplementation, supplementation and post-supplementation phases (each phase of 60 days). Herbal supplementation significantly (P<0.05) improved mass motility, individual motility, rapid progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, sperm concentration, viability and active mitochondria. Total sperm abnormalities and amplitude of lateral head displacement were significantly (P<0.05) reduced during supplementation and post-supplementation phases. The level of malondialdehyde was significantly (P<0.05) declined during supplementation and post-supplementation phases. The activity of superoxide dismutase significantly (P<0.05) increased during supplementation and post-supplementation phases, whereas the activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly (P<0.05) increased only during the supplementation phase. It could be concluded that feeding of herbs in combination improved the semen quality and antioxidants activity in subfertile buffalo bulls.