EFFECT OF ORGANIC MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION ON BLOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, PLASMA ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITIES AND THEIR CORRELATION TO SPERM FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS IN OSMANABADI BUCKS

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of organic copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on
blood biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzyme properties in growing Osmanabadi goats at the onset of
puberty and semen quality. Forty bucks (five months) were allocated randomly into ten groups, all were fed with basal
roughage and a concentrate mixture (50 : 50) supplemented (for a period of 8 months) either with different doses of
organic Zn : 20 mg (T1), 40 mg (T2), 60 mg (T3), organic Cu : 12.5 mg (T4), 25 mg (T5), 37.5 mg (T6) and
combination of Cu + Zn: 12.5 mg + 20 mg (T7), 25 mg + 40 mg (T8), 37.5 mg + 60 mg (T9), respectively, per kg dry
matter (DM) or fed without additional mineral supplementation (Control). Blood samples collected on days 120 and
240 of treatment for analysis oftotal protein; albumin; cholesterol; high density lipoprotein (HDL) and glucose as well
as enzyme activities like Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione reductase (GR) and Glutathione
peroxidase (GPx) were analyzed and correlated with spermatozoa functional characteristics. Significantly increased
(P<0.05) enzymatic activities at days 120 and 240 were observed with positive correlations to the spermatozoa
functional characteristics and enzyme activities. Varying level ofalbumin, glucose, HDL and protein in Cu treated
groups of the experiment. Cu supplementation affects protein, glucose, HDL and albumin levels in goats; and
supplementation of both organic Zn and Cu significantly increased the antioxidant defense enzyme activities in goats
with positive correlation to sperm functional attributes.