Oliveira et al., 2014. Acta Vet. Bras., 8 (Suppl. 2): 246-247
Efeitos do farelo de castanha de caju sobre as proteinas espermaticas de ovinos
The cashew nut meal (CNM) is nutritive and low costs option for sheep feeding. However, there is a lack of studies evaluating its effects on ram's reproduction. Therefore, the main objectives of this work were to evaluate the effects of 13% of CNM inclusion in the diet of rams on the semen parameters and sperm proteins. Twenty rams were distributed in two equal groups: cashew nut group (CNG: 13% CNM) and control group (COG: 0% CNM). The groups were compared for sperm quality and sperm protein expression at 0, 45 and 90 days of the experiment. There was not effect of CNM on sperm quality. But, the percentages of ODF1 and H2B proteins were larger in the CNG ( P<0.05). In conclusion, the cashew nut meal affects the expression of ram sperm proteins