Abstract:
Reproduction is one of the most important factors determining successful cattle farming systems. Management practices, such
as nutritional supplementation, can influence the reproductive performance of cattle. The objective of this literature review is
to determine the potential value of injectable trace mineral administration on fresh and cryopreserved semen quality of bulls.
A search of keywords related to the topic was performed on published articles and textbooks. The search was narrowed to the
40 most relevant references.
Several studies have demonstrated a positive association between trace mineral supplementation and bull semen quality.
Moderate amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in normal spermatogenesis, but oxidative stress (OS), as
experienced with adverse environmental conditions or disease, can contribute to idiopathic male infertility by negatively impacting
spermatogenesis. Trace minerals such as selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese have been demonstrated to have antioxidant
effects in mammals. Due to the complexity of oral ingested trace mineral bioavailability, injectable trace mineral supplementation
prior to physiological periods with known deficiencies or increased requirement can benefit the animal.
The potential benefits of injectable trace mineral supplementation to minimise oxidative damage to spermatogenesis in breeding
bulls need further investigation. Positive results from such studies can lead to the implementation of injectable trace mineral
supplementation strategies prior to the breeding season to minimise the detrimental effects of OS and can improve semen quality.
