Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Trace Minerals on Semen Production Performance of Sahiwal Bulls During Winter Season

Present study was planned to evaluate the effect of supplemental trace minerals on semen production performance of Sahiwal bulls. Twelve Sahiwal bulls were grouped as T₁, T₂ and T₃ and were supplemented with 0, 1.5 and 2.0 times trace minerals over and above the basal diet in T₁, T₂ and T₃, respectively for a study period of 120 days. All the animals were fed to meet their nutrient requirements as per ICAR (2013). Semen collection was done twice a week in all the groups and samples were evaluated fortnightly for quantitative and qualitative attributes. A digestion trial of seven-days collection period was conducted during d 90–96 of experimental feeding to assess the digestibility of nutrients. Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), blood antioxidant status and concentrations of (Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Fe, Ca and P) were estimated in blood and seminal plasma. It was found that additional trace minerals supplementation had no influence on body weight, dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrients among the groups. All seminal parameters except mass activity and post-thaw motility were higher (P<0.05) in T₃ group in comparison to T₁ and T₂ groups in fresh as well as frozen semen. Blood antioxidant status was improved in T₃ group. A reduction (P<0.05) in LPO activity in fresh and frozen semen in T₃ group was observed. It may be concluded that dietary supplementation of inorganic Zn, Cu, Mn and Co (40 ppm Zn, 10 ppm Cu, 15ppm Mn and 0.11ppm Co) over and above the ICAR (2013) standard in the diets of Sahiwal bull can improve the qualitative and quantitative attributes of semen.