Effects of dexamethasone treatment (to mimic stress) and Vitamin E oral supplementation on the spermiogram and on seminal plasma spontaneous lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in dogs

Hatamoto, Luciana Keiko; Baptista Sobrinho, C.A.; Nichi, M.; Barnabe, V.H.; Barnabe, R.C.; Cortada, C.N.M.

doi:10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2006.02.012

Title

Effects of dexamethasone treatment (to mimic stress) and Vitamin E oral supplementation on the spermiogram and on seminal plasma spontaneous lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in dogs

Author

Hatamoto, Luciana Keiko

Baptista Sobrinho, C.A.

Nichi, M.

Barnabe, V.H.

Barnabe, R.C.

Cortada, C.N.M.

Abstract

The objective was to determine if treatment with dexamethasone (to mimic stress) has a deleterious effect on the spermiogram and on the composition of seminal plasma in the dog and whether adverse effects were reduced by oral supplementation with Vitamin E. Eighteen adult male Rottweiter dogs were randomly allocated in a 2 x 2 factorial treatment design (with or without dexamethasone treatment versus with or without Vitamin E supplementation). Dogs in the supplemented group received 500 mg of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)/dog/day per os for 10 weeks. Dexamethasone (0.01 mg/kg/day i.m.) was given once daily for 7 days, starting 7 days after the onset of Vitamin E supplementation. Food intake, body condition score and body weight were assessed daily. Semen collections (digital manipulation) were performed twice weekly for 14 weeks and blood samples (for plasma concentrations of cortisol and testosterone) were collected once a week. Dexamethasone treatment significantly reduced ejaculate volume and increased thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in the seminal plasma. In contrast, supplementation with Vitamin E increased sperm motility, vigor and concentration and decreased the percentage of major sperm defects. In conclusion, dexamethasone treatment (to mimic stress) had a deleterious effect on the spermiogram and on the seminal plasma lipid peroxidation in dogs; however, some of these effects were prevented by oral supplementation with Vitamin E. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Theriogenology: an international journal of animal reproduction. - Los Altos, Calif.

Source (book)

5th International Symposium on Canine and Feline Reproduction, AUG 04-06, 2004, Embu das Artes, BRAZIL

Publication

New york : Elsevier science inc , 2006

ISSN

0093-691X

DOI

10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2006.02.012