Inclusion of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in the diet of rams and its effect on sperm quality.

Resumen

Objective: To compare changes in sperm quality in adult rams when ginger pellets were included in the diet during the breeding season.

Design/methodology/approach: The study was conducted for 16 weeks with 31 adult rams (8 Pelibuey, 8 East Friesian, 8 Damara and 7 Dorper) at the Sheep and Goat Reproduction Laboratory (LaROCa) of the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, located at 19°LN (north latitude) during short days (September-December). During the first 8 weeks, the rams received a diet based on commercial concentrate, minerals, lucerne, oats and water ad libitum; during the following 8 weeks (from 9 to 16), 2 g of dehydrated ginger pellets per day per animal were added to the diet. Weekly measurements were made of scrotal circumference, body weight and semen variables (volume, sperm concentration, mass motility, individual progressive motility, percentage of live sperm and normality).

Results: An increase in body weight and scrotal circumference was observed in all four breeds during the experiment, with increases of 4.94 kg and 2.41 cm, 12.85 kg and 7.48 cm, 10.88 kg and 5.9 cm and 6.48 kg and 3.77 cm in Pelibuey, East Friesian, Damara and Dorper breeds respectively. Treatment effect (p<0.05) was found on sperm volume, live sperm percentage, sperm normality and sperm concentration. Differences (p<0.05) were found in the breed effect for the variables time to ejaculate, volume, mass motility, percentage of live sperm, normality and sperm concentration and in the breed by treatment interaction for the variables volume, mass motility, individual motility, percentage of live sperm, normality and sperm concentration.

Limitations on study/implications: The study was carried out in only one season of the year (breeding season), it would be of great interest to carry out evaluations throughout the year (breeding vs. non-breeding season).

Findings/conclusions: Including ginger in the diet of sheep during the breeding season is a viable management option to improve sperm quality.