Serum vitamin E as a potential biomarker of sperm velocity in crossbred beef bulls
[EN]Sperm motility is a key determinant of fertility in bulls, with velocity parameters serving as primary indicators of reproductive potential. However, the influence of systemic micronutrients on semen quality remains unclear. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between blood ser...
| Autores: | , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Universidad de León |
| Repositorio: | BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/26298 |
| Acceso en línea: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1828051X.2025.2518232 https://hdl.handle.net/10612/26298 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Producción animal Veterinaria Bulls Micronutrient status Progressive motility Semen quality 3109 Ciencias Veterinarias 2401.13 Fisiología Animal 3104.11 Reproducción |
| Sumario: | [EN]Sperm motility is a key determinant of fertility in bulls, with velocity parameters serving as primary indicators of reproductive potential. However, the influence of systemic micronutrients on semen quality remains unclear. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between blood serum concentrations of copper (Cu), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), vitamin E, and Vitamin A with sperm kinetic traits in 50 healthy Charolais × Limousin bulls (3–5 years old) managed under extensive conditions. Each bull was sampled once for semen and blood. Semen quality was evaluated using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system, which provides objective measurement of motility parameters including curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), and average path velocity (VAP). Serum micronutrient concentrations were measured via standard biochemical assays. Bulls were categorised based on the median progressive motility (PM) value (50.10%) to explore group differences. Bulls above the PM threshold showed significantly higher velocity parameters (VCL, VSL, VAP) and greater serum vitamin E levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, Se concentrations were lower in these bulls (p < 0.05), with no significant differences observed in Cu, Zn, or vitamin A (p > 0.05). Correlation analyses revealed a weak but positive association between vitamin E and sperm velocity (r ≈ 0.21), supporting its potential as a biomarker of semen quality, while selenium showed a negative association with pregnancy outcomes (PM). In contrast, other trace elements showed limited or inconsistent associations. These findings suggest a potential role for systemic vitamin E in reproductive evaluation, although further research is needed to confirm its predictive utility. |
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