Natural Astaxanthin Improves Testosterone Synthesis and Sperm Mitochondrial Function in Aging Roosters

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Animal Nutrition
• Mitochondrial Physiology

Background:

• Spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and apoptosis are regulated by hormones and mitochondria.
• Natural astaxanthin (ASTA) possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of dietary ASTA on testosterone synthesis and mitochondrial function in aging roosters.
• To assess ASTA's impact on reproductive hormone levels, testicular gene/protein expression, and sperm quality.

Main Methods:

• 96 aging Jinghong No. 1 roosters were fed diets with 0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg ASTA for 6 weeks.
• Evaluated plasma reproductive hormones, testicular mRNA/protein related to testosterone synthesis, antioxidant activity, mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis.

Main Results:

• ASTA supplementation significantly improved plasma reproductive hormone levels and testicular testosterone synthesis markers (p < 0.05).
• Dietary ASTA enhanced antioxidant activities and free radical scavenging capacity in roosters (p < 0.05).
• Mitochondrial function, including electron transport chain complex activities and membrane potential, increased linearly with ASTA dosage, while reactive oxygen species and apoptosis factors decreased (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Dietary astaxanthin shows potential for improving testosterone levels and reducing sperm apoptosis in aging roosters.
• ASTA's benefits may stem from upregulating the testosterone synthesis pathway and enhancing mitochondrial function.