Dietary boron supplementation and its impact on testicular function, thyroid activity and serum calcium in rams

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary boron (B) supplementation on testicular function, thyroid activity and serum calcium (Ca) in rams. Therefore, twelve rams (4 months old and 17.6 1.26 kg average body weight) were divided equally into two groups. Rams of control group (CNT group) were fed basal ration ad libitum. In the second group (B group), the rams were fed basal ration plus 400 mg boric acid (BA)/kg diet. All rams were fed their corresponding rations for 4 months. Serum samples were collected and analyzed at different intervals including 0 day, eighth, twelfth and sixteen weeks of experiment whereas semen specimens were collected at the twelfth and sixteenth weeks. Boron increased serum levels of testosterone (T) significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with CNT group. Serum levels of triiodotyrosine (T3) were elevated significantly (P < 0.05) with advancement of age in both groups. The percentage of increase of T3 level at end of the experiment was observed to be higher in B-treated rams than CNT ones. Besides, B induced significant improvement of semen quality (Higher sperm concentration, higher seminal volume and lower secondary sperm abnormalities) when compared with CNT group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between B and CNT rams in body weight gain and serum level of Ca. Thus, B is considered potential and useful supplement in ration of rams to improve their testicular and thyroid activities.