Antioxidant Activity of Vitamin E and Its Role in Avian Reproduction

Oxidative stress, a state characterized by imbalance between pro-oxidant molecules comprising reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and antioxidant defences, has been found to play an important in poultry reproduction in both male and female Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin E plays an important role in normal reproduction in animals and humans, and vitamin E supplementation is now recommended. Vitamin E comprises eight molecules composed by a chromanol ring and a phytol side chain having same functions: four tocopherols (α, β, γ, and δ) and four tocotrienols (α, β, γ, and δ). This article reports an overview on the currently available literature on the role of reactive species and oxidative stress in avian reproductive processes. Current evidences demonstrate that dietary vitamin E supplementation may be effective in controlling the production of reactive oxygen species and continue to be explored as a potential feeding strategy to support avian reproduction. Vincenzo Tufarelli* and Vito Laudadio