Effect of different dietary zinc sources on the semen quality, testicular histology and sex hormone concentration in broiler breeder roosters

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different dietary zinc sources (ZnSO4, Zinc-amino acid and Zn5(OH)2Cl2H2O), on hormone levels, testicular histology and sperm quality in broiler breeder roosters. Twenty, 54-week-old broiler breeder roosters (Ross 308) were reared in individual cages. Dietary treatments were T1: a basal diet without any addition of zinc (0 Zn) (Control), T2: control diet supplemented with 110 mg Zn (sulphate)/kg, T3: control diet supplemented with 110 mg Zn (organic)/kg and T4: control diet supplemented with 110 mg Zn (hydroxide)/kg. The traits measured included blood serum IGF- and testosterone, motility, concentration, viability, and membrane integrity of sperm and testicular histology. The results indicated that, significant differences between the experimental treatments in terms of serum levels of IGF and testosterone in the 32nd and 45th weeks (p