Adição de óleo de palma na dieta sobre a lipidemia e a qualidade do sêmen de bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with palm oil on serum lipid profile, the seminal characteristics of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and the correlations between them. Twelve bulls were divided into Group CONT (n = 5) or Group OIL (n = 7). Animals in both groups were fed with isoproteic diets composed of corn silage and concentrated (ground corn, wheat bran and urea), with 50% forage/concentrate ratio, during 130 days (Periods 1 and 2). Palm oil (2%DM) was added to diet offered to Group OIL. Semen and blood samples were collected every two weeks. Increased serum levels of cholesterol, HDL and total lipids were observed for Group OIL, while the period influenced on cholesterol, LDL, total lipids and VLDL (P<0,05). Treatment decreased gross motility (P<0.05) and slightly reduced sperm membrane integrity (P<0.05) in animals of Group OIL. There were significant correlations between triglycerides and minor defects (r=-0.412, P=0.006), LDL and total defects (r=-0.333, P=0.030), total lipids and minor defects (r=-0.366, P=0.017), VLDL and spermatic viability (r=0.381, P=0.012), and total lipids and totals defects (r=-0.309, P=0.046), highlighting positive effects of higher lipid serum levels on sperm morphology and viability. The incorporation of palm oil in the diet altered the serum lipid profile, but it showed no positive effect on seminal parameters related to the potential of bull fertility.