Fatty acids and phytoestrogens have been linked to short- and long-term alterations of reproductive performance in sheep. Red clover (RC) contains phytoestrogens, which have been linked to reduced reproductive performance in sheep. However, rams fed RC have increased omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). These beneficial fatty acids may improve reproductive performance in rams. Fish oils (FO) contain significant amounts of n-3 PUFA and these improve reproductive performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of RC pasture and beneficial fatty acid supplementation on ram lamb seminiferous tubule histology. Crossbred ram lambs (n =32; 2 to 3 mo of age) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) and balanced by body weight (BW) and dam parity. Two groups grazed tall fescue (TF)/RC, and two grazed TF pasture for 10 wk. These groups were then further randomly subdivided to receive a fat supplement [soybean oil (SBO; n = 8), SBO + CLA (n = 8), or FO (n = 8)] or no fat supplementation (CON; n = 8) during a 5-wk finishing diet. Then rams were slaughtered, and their testes were collected, fixed, and processed for histology. Testes cross sections were viewed under light microscopy and photos were taken for image analysis. Seminiferous tubule diameter, luminal diameter, cell count, and the average cell nuclear area: tubule area were determined using Image-Pro 10 software (Media Cybernetics). No significant differences were noted in tubular diameter or luminal diameter between any treatment groups. Those on TF had significantly greater cell counts (371.3 ± 39.6 vs. 305.9 ± 44.2; P < 0.05) than rams on TF/RC pasture. Soybean oil produced a significantly lower ratio than SBO + CLA (0.000324 ± 0.000190 vs. 0.000408 ± 0.000300, P < 0.05) but a greater cell count (498.2 ± 36.2) than CON, SBO + CLA, or FO (289.7 ± 52.9 vs. 282.2 ± 50.3 vs. 284.3 ± 50.9; P < 0.001). No statistical difference was noted in ratios between the two pastures. Rams on TF/RC, with no supplementation had the least cell counts (227.2 ± 58.2) of all treatment groups, with significantly fewer counts than TF/RC + SBO rams (412.4 ± 62.0 P < 0.05) and TF + SBO rams (583.9 ± 37.3; P < 0.001); the latter had the greatest cell count of all treatment groups. Results suggest that RC and oil supplementation impact cell count, and oil supplementation impacts ratios but neither factor had an impact on tubule or luminal diameter.

中文翻译：

---

PSVII-26 食用红三叶草牧草和有益脂肪酸补充剂对公羊羔生精小管微观特征的影响


脂肪酸和植物雌激素与绵羊生殖性能的短期和长期改变有关。红三叶草 （RC） 含有植物雌激素，这与绵羊的繁殖性能降低有关。然而，喂食 RC 的公羊增加了 omega-3 多不饱和脂肪酸 （n-3 PUFA） 和共轭亚油酸 （CLA）。这些有益的脂肪酸可以提高公羊的繁殖性能。鱼油 （FO） 含有大量的 n-3 PUFA，这些可以提高繁殖性能。本研究旨在确定 RC 牧草和有益脂肪酸补充剂对公羊生精小管组织学的影响。杂交公羊羔羊 （n = 32;2 至 3 个月龄） 被随机分为四组 （每组 n = 8），并通过体重 （BW） 和母系胎次进行平衡。两组放牧高羊茅 （TF）/RC，两组放牧 TF 牧场 10 周。然后将这些组进一步随机细分，在 5 周的育肥饮食中接受脂肪补充剂 [大豆油 （SBO;n = 8）、SBO + CLA （n = 8） 或 FO （n = 8）] 或不补充脂肪 （CON;n = 8）。然后屠宰公羊，收集、固定和处理它们的睾丸进行组织学检查。在光学显微镜下观察睾丸横截面，并拍摄照片进行图像分析。曲细精管直径、管腔直径、细胞计数和平均细胞核面积：使用 Image-Pro 10 软件 （Media Cybernetics） 确定小管面积。任何治疗组之间的管径或管腔直径均未观察到显著差异。接受 TF 的患者细胞计数显著更高 （371.3 ± 39.6 vs. 305.9 ± 44.2;P < 0.05） 比 TF/RC 牧场上的公羊多。豆油产生的比率明显低于 SBO + CLA （0.000324 ± 0.000190 vs. 0.000408 ± 0.000300，P < 0.05），但细胞计数（498.2 ± 36.2）高于 CON、SBO + CLA 或 FO（289.7 ± 52.9 对 282.2 ±对 50.3 对 284.3 ± 50.9;P < 0.001）。两个牧场之间的比率没有统计学差异。在所有处理组中，未添加 TF/RC 的公羊的细胞计数最少 （227.2 ± 58.2），计数显著低于 TF/RC + SBO 公羊 （412.4 ± 62.0 P < 0.05） 和 TF + SBO 公羊 （583.9 ± 37.3;P < 0.001）;后者在所有治疗组中具有最大的细胞计数。结果表明，RC 和补油会影响细胞计数，补油会影响比率，但这两个因素都不会影响肾小管或管腔直径。