Reproductive Performance of Barki Rams Fed on Different Omega-6: Omega-3 Ratios

Abstract

The current experiment intended to investigate the impact of various dietary omega- 6/ omega -3 fatty acids ratios (FAs) on the reproductive performance and  serum lipid profile  in male Barki sheep over two months' experimental period. Twelve males were randomly allotted into 4 equal groups receiving 4 different ratios of omega-6/ omega- 3 FAs including 5.40 (higher ratio, HR), 4.56 (medium ratio, MR), 3.13 (lower ratio, LR) and 1.76 (very low ratio, VLR):1.  Feeding rams on diets with HR or VLR did not exhibit substantial impact on the sperm motility, sperm viability and testosterone hormone, however these parameters were non-significantly improved in the MR and LR- fed rams. The semen volume was significantly increased (P < 0.05) with the MR in comparison with the remaining groups.  Serum biochemical parameters, including total lipids, HDL concentrations did not exhibit significant differences (P> 0.05) among the different ratios. VLR- fed rams showed the higher serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL (P< 0.05), while the MR fed rams showed the highest CHO/HDL ratio (P< 0.05) in comparison with the other ratios. In summary, Barki rams fed different omega-6/ omega- 3 PUFA ratios (5.4, 4.56, 3.13 and 1.76:1) containing diets exhibited no significant difference in their reproductive performance parameters, however the medium (4.56:1) and low (3.13:1) ratios showed potential improving effect.