Efeito da utilização do óleo de dendê na dieta sobre a qualidade do sêmen in natura de búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) criados em Belém, Pará

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of incorporation of palm oil on serum lipid levels and sperm quality of buffalo bulls, since research about palm oil seed for reproductive purposes are scarce. The study was conducted at Embrapa Eastern Amazon, and used 12 pre-selected buffalo bulls, with a mean age of 3.47 ± 0.92 years and weight of 456.8 ± 50.4 kg. The bulls were fed and divided into two groups according to diet received. Diets were isoproteic (cracked corn, wheat bran and corn silage; proportion roughage / concentrate 50%) and were offered in collective pens. Animals of CONT Group (n = 5) received a control diet and OIL Group (n = 7) received the same diet with addition of 2% of palm oil on the DM. Analyses were performed using chemical and fatty acid profile of foods. Serum lipid profile, physical and morphological features of raw semen were investigated, including the relations between them. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), comparison of means by Tukey test and Pearson correlations (P <0.05). Increased lipid consumption was noted related to saturated fat acids (71.23%) and unsaturated fat acids (55.40%) in OIL Group. Significant effects for serum parameters were observed for triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL and total lipids, with higher values for the OIL Group, and significant effects over time for cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and total lipids (P <0.05). Regarding to semen parameters, there was a significant reduction in gross motility and integrity of plasmatic membrane, and reduced seminal concentration on the period for the OIL Group. There was significant correlation between the variables: triglycerides and minor defects (r = -0412, P = 0.006), LDL and total defects (r = -0.333, P = 0.030), VLDL and viability (r = 0.381, P = 0.012), total lipids and minor defects (r = -0366, P = 0.017), and total lipids and total defects (r = -0.309, P = 0.046). Although an observed relationship between higher levels of serum lipids and better sperm morphology, and no reduction of fresh semen quality by palm oil addition below the physiological levels, the use of 2% of palm oil in the diet did not improve effectively the parameters related to semen quality and bulls fertility.