Effects of dietary supplementation with polyphenolic extracts from Lasia spinosa Thw. roots on reproductive performance in Guangxi Ma Roosters

Reproductive performance in breeder roosters is a critical determinant of egg fertilization rates and the long-term sustainability of poultry breeding enterprises. Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST) possesses bioactive potential to modulate hormonal profiles and spermatogenic functions in male animals. However, research on the functional roles of its specific phytochemical constituents remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with polyphenols extracts from Lasia spinosa Thw. (LST_PP) on rooster reproductive performance and to elucidate the underlying regulatory mechanisms. Forty roosters were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group receiving a basal diet and three treatment groups receiving the same basal diet supplemented with LST_PP at 500, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg, respectively, for 60 consecutive days. Results showed that dietary supplementation with LST_PP had no significant effect on body weight, feed intake or general health status. However, the group supplemented with 1,000 mg/kg LST_PP exhibited a significant increase in comb height compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). Semen quality analysis revealed that LST_PP supplementation improved semen parameters in roosters, including semen volume, sperm density, and sperm motility, with the 1,000 mg/kg group exhibiting significantly higher values than the control group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, testicular weight and the testicular index in the 1,000 mg/kg group were significantly higher compared to the control ( P < 0.05). Hormonal assays revealed significantly elevated serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in the 1,000 mg/kg LST_PP group, whereas testicular testosterone content was significantly increased in both the 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg groups ( P < 0.05). Histological evaluation demonstrated that LST_PP significantly increased the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the height of spermatogenic epithelium ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary supplementation with LST_PP also significantly enhanced testicular antioxidant capacity. Network pharmacology analysis identified steroid hormone biosynthesis and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways as the key mediators regulating the pro-reproductive effects of LST_PP’s, with quercetin and kaempferol proposed as the core bioactive components. In conclusion, dietary LST_PP supplementation effectively enhances rooster reproductive performance, and the optimal dosage was found to be 1,000 mg/kg.