Dietary supplementation with α -linolenic acid improves the reproductive performance of blue foxes ( Alopex lagopus ).

Abstract

As a valuable fur-bearing species, enhancing the reproductive performance of male foxes is crucial for genetic advancement and productivity. α -Linolenic acid (ALA) has been reported to improve semen quality in male animals; however, its effects on reproductive parameters in blue foxes remain poorly characterized. In this study, 40 male blue foxes of similar age and condition were randomly assigned to four dietary groups ( n = 10 per group) receiving a basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.25, or 2 g/kg of ALA. Semen quality, antioxidant capacity, serum hormone levels, and testicular histomorphology were evaluated. The results showed that compared with the control group (ALA, 0 g/kg), the 0.5 α group (ALA, 0.5g/kg), 1.25 α group (ALA, 1.25 g/kg), and 2 α group (ALA, 2 g/kg) significantly increased sperm motility, viability, sperm concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), testosterone (T), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as the perimeter and area of seminiferous tubules, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly reduced ( p < 0.05). Sperm abnormality rates were significantly lower in the 1.25 α and 2 α groups compared to 0 α group, along with elevated total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), luteinizing hormone (LH), and sertoli cell counts ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary ALA supplementation improves reproductive performance in male blue foxes by enhancing semen antioxidant capacity, modulating serum hormone profiles, and promoting testicular development, with an optimal supplementation level of 1.25 g/kg.