Natural astaxanthin enhanced antioxidant capacity and improved semen quality through the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in aging layer breeder roosters

Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology

Longfei Xiao¹  Hemin Ni¹  Shan Gao¹  Xiangguo Wang¹  Nuo Heng¹  Kai Xing¹  Yong Guo¹  Xihui Sheng¹  Xiaolong Qi¹  Yu Chen²  Liang Wang²  Fang Liu³ 

[1] Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, 102206, Beijing, China;Department of Livestock and Poultry Products Testing, Beijing General Station of Animal Husbandry, 100107, Beijing, China;School of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Agriculture, 102206, Beijing, China;

关键词: Aging rooster;    Antioxidant capacity;    MAPK/Nrf2 pathway;    Natural astaxanthin;    Semen quality;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s40104-021-00633-8

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundNatural astaxanthin (ASTA) has strong antioxidant properties and has been widely used as a health product to improve human health. However, the effects of ASTA on the reproductive performance of aging roosters have been poorly studied. We aimed to investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on semen quality and antioxidant capacity in aging roosters and to explore the potential mechanism of semen quality change via anti-oxidation defense system.MethodsIn the present study, 96 53-week-old Jinghong No. 1 layer breeder roosters were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks.ResultsSemen quality in the ASTA groups remarkably improved than that in the control group, and antioxidant activities, the abilities to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions, increased gradually with ASTA addition (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes as well as the mRNA and protein levels of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were markedly increased in the 50–100 mg/kg ASTA group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCollectively, these results demonstrate that dietary ASTA may improve semen quality by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and the ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals, which may be related to upregulation of the MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.

【 授权许可】

CC BY