This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of chitosan (CTZ) on semen variables, sperm apoptosis and DNA fragmentation, and seminal plasma antioxidant status of Zaraibi goat bucks fed high-fat diet.Total of 15 mature bucks (39.42±0.48 kg LBW and 18-30 mo old) were divided into 3 groups (n= 5); the control (CG) and two of the groups received the control diet in addition to2.5 g CTZ/kg concentrate (CTZ) or 2.5 g CTZ+30 g dry fat diet/kg concentrate(CTZ+FAT), respectively for 8 weeks. Results showed that ejaculate volume, percentages of progressive motility, livability, and abnormality of spermatozoa, sperm concentration, as well as sperm counts (total, motile, live, normal and functional) per ejaculate were improved (P<0.05) by CTZ-diet. CTZ+FAT diet improved (P<0.05) all previous traits, except percentage of sperm abnormality. The viable sperm percentage was higher (P<0.05), while the percentage of necrotic spermatozoa was lower (P<0.05) with CTZ or CTZ+FAT diets. apoptotic spermatozoa percent was not affected significantly by treatments. The percentage of sub G1 was decreased (P<0.05) while haploid percentage increased (P<0.05) by CTZ and CTZ+FAT diets. The diploid and spermatid percentages were not affected by CTZ. Peroxidation marker (MDA) was decreased (P<0.05) while activity of GSH, CAT, and GPxwereincreased (P<0.05) by CTZ alone. CTZ+FAT dietrestore (P<0.05) the depleted levels of antioxidant enzyme and MDA to their values in CG. Serum testosterone did not differ, but testosterone level was higher (P<0.05) in CTZ than in CTZ+FAT in the seminal plasma. Insignificant differences in serum total protein, albumin, globulin, and urea concentrations while serum activity of AST and ALT was significantly (P<0.05) increased by CTZ+FAT treatment as compared to CG.
The dietary chitosan supplementation at a level of 2.5 g/kg for 8 week-interval pre-semen collection has a vital role on scavenging the negative effects of oxidative stress in the seminal plasma of bucks fed control or high-fat diets. Thus, chitosan could be safely used in Zaraibi buck's diets to improve semen quality and antioxidant defense system and to potentiate the reproduction of goat males.