Pathology / Processing & Products / Physiology

Objectives of this study were to explore the untoward effects of cottonseed meal (CSM) on male reproductive performance of broiler breeders and ameliorating effects of lysine addition in rations. A total of 80 broiler breeder males of 40 weeks of age were divided in to 8 groups. The four groups were fed diets containing CSM @ of 0, 10, 20 and 30%, respectively. The remaining four groups were given same diets with the supplementation of 2% lysine. Duration of the experiment was 10 weeks. Body weight, comb area, vent length, semen volume and sperm counts were determined weekly. A significant decrease in body weight, comb area and vent size was observed in 20 and 30% CSM fed groups compared to control group. A decrease in serum testosterone, semen volume and sperm counts occurred with the increase in dietary level of CSM. Testes volume, absolute and relative weights were significantly lower in all the groups as compared to control birds. No pathological lesions were observed in testes of males kept on ration containing up to 20% CSM fed groups. Testes of males of group given 30% CSM showed increased connective tissue proliferation in the intertubular spaces. In most of the tubules round spermatids had necrotic nuclei. In some birds seminiferous tubules had smaller diameter than those of birds of control group and were lined with 1-2 layers of cells having vesicular nuclei with a nucleolus and fine chromatin. No or partial amelioration of the adverse effect of cottonseed meal was observed upon parameter related to reproductive system like testes size, testes weight, volume, semen volume, sperm count and serum testosterone level. Similarly histopathologically only partial or no amelioration was observed by adding of lysine along with CSM. It was concluded from the study that 10% CSM incorporated in diets of broiler breeder males was found with out adverse effects on the reproductive performance. Lysine supplementation in the ration only partially alleviated the deleterious effects produced by cottonseed meal.