P-14: In Vitro Comparison of Different Dietary Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acid Ratios and Vitamin E on The Rat Semen Quality

Background: Beneficial effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the male fertility are widely described in the literature. However, there is little information about the effect of dietary n-3/n-6 ratios and Vit E on the male reproduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary PUFAs on the rat sperm characteristics after eight weeks oil consumption. Materials and Methods: Mature male Wistar rats (n=50; age 8 weeks) were divided into 5 experimental groups consisted of: Control (CTR; no additive); Vitamin E diet (Vit E; 2.5 times greater than NRC recommendations); n-6 group (0.5 ml/d sunflower oil+Vit E); n-3 group (0.5 ml /d fish oil+Vit E) and n-3+n-6 group (0.3 ml fish oil/d + 0.2 ml sunflower oil/d+Vit E). All animals were euthanized with ketamine-xylazine (KX) after 8 weeks treatment. Sperm samples obtained from the left distal cauda epididymis. Sperm quality and kinematic parameters were measured by computer aided semen analyzer (CASA). Moreover, blood plasma lipoproteins parameters were measured. Finally, testis and livers were weighted at the end of period. Data were analyzied by SPSS16. Results: The highest sperm concentartion was observed in n-3 group (73.2 × 106/ml). Dietary omega-3 fatty acids and dietary Vit E 2.5% can improved progressive motility compare with other group (p<0.05). Interstingly, fish oil significanly improved motion patterns; so, straight line velocity (VSL), average path velocity (VAP), straightness (STR) and beat cross frequency (BCF) of sperm were the highest compared with all of other groups (p<0.05). A significant increase in the mean LDL-cholesterol level was observed in the n-3+n-6 group compared with all other groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, originally the rat sperm contain high level of n-6 fatty acids; dietary omega-3 fatty acids may improve sperm quality. The manipulation of sperm parametres by dietary fatty acids in overall duration of spermatogenesis.