Effect of selenium, vitamins E and C on antioxidant potential and quality of boar ejaculate

The aim of the experiment was to examine the effect of dietary selenium, vitamins C and E mixture on the antioxidant status and quality of boar ejaculate (Duroc breed). For 90 days the boars were divided into two groups (7 in each group): experimental – fed diet supplemented with (mg · kg^–1 of diet) selenium 0.5, vitamin C 350 and vitamin E 70; and control one. The ejaculate samples were collected during three periods: at the beginning (point zero), days 0 – 45 and days 45 – 90. The antioxidant status and ejaculate quality were assessed. A higher lipid peroxidation level in the ejaculate (48%; P < 0.05) after 90 days was found in the control group. Also in this group decrease in sperm motility (12%; P < 0.05) and increase in abnormal sperm percentage (81%; P < 0.05) were observed in samples collected from days 45 – 90. In comparison to point zero the antioxidant status of ejaculate increased in the experimental group when measured by ferric reducing antioxidant potential (85%; P < 0.05) and 2,2,-dipheryl-1-picrylhydrazyl (130%; P < 0.05) method and the lipid peroxidation decreased (36%; P < 0.05) after 90-day dietary treatment. The results observed in the samples collected from days 45 – 90 showed that additional antioxidants mixture in the diet did not influence sperm quality; however did prevent from negative changes observed in the control group. In conclusion, the addition of selenium, mixture of vitamins C and E into diet increases the antioxidant status of ejaculate and keeps its quality on stable level.