Role of vitamin E and selenium in enhancing semen freezability and fertility in subfertile bucks

BACKGROUND: In the quest for sustainable nutritional security, small ruminants play a crucial role, yet many producers face a common stumbling block: insufficient fertile bucks in their herds. This often results in disappointing production outcomes. A simple yet powerful solution lies in the supplementation with minerals and vitamins, thereby enhancing fertility and ensuring that small ruminant herds thrive and contribute to a more secure and productive agriculture. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of vitamin E and Se on semen quality and freezability, antioxidant activity, testosterone level, and fertility of Jakhrana bucks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Jakhrana bucks were classified as subfertile bucks based on their semen characters and fertility test. The bucks were randomly allocated into three equal groups and subjected to the following treatments: G1, control; G2, injected with Vit E 250IU/head + Se 0.1 mg/kg body weight.; G3, injected with Vit E 500 IU/head + Se 0.2 mg/kg body weight once weekly for 8 weeks. Semen and blood samples were collected twice weekly for all bucks to assess semen quality and semen was frozen and the post-thaw semen quality parameters (such as progressive motility, viability, abnormality and acrosomal integrity) were evaluated. Serum testosterone level and antioxidant capacity were also measured. At the 8th week of the study, 60 multiparous estrus does (20 does for each group) were exposed for mating to assess the fertility of buck after treatment. RESULTS: Fresh and post-thaw semen quality parameters were significantly (p <0.05) higher in G3 in comparison with G2 and G1, respectively. Also, testosterone level was significantly (p <0.05) increased at the 3rd week (W3) in the G2 and G3 groups in comparison with control group. Fertility and kidding rates were significantly (p <0.05) higher in does who were mated with bucks of G3. CONCLUSION: Injection of vitamin E and selenium improved the semen quality parameters and most importantly the fertility of bucks.