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Journals / Black Sea Journal of Agriculture / 2025 / Cilt: 8 Sayı: 6

The Role of Antioxidants in Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Sheep: Physiological, Molecular, and Applied Perspectives

Fatih Ahmet Aslan(ORDU ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0001-8237-6674
Pages
875–884
Publication Date
2025-11-15
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, seasonally timed and individualised antioxidant protocols are considered effective and sustainable strategies for enhancing reproductive success in sheep production systems.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:In small ruminant production, particularly in sheep, high reproductive performance holds strategic importance in terms of genetic sustainability, animal welfare, and economic efficiency.
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Key Findings & Data:However, environmental stress, inadequate nutrition, and climate change are among the leading factors that increase oxidative stress, thereby negatively affecting fertility.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, seasonally timed and individualised antioxidant protocols are considered effective and sustainable strategies for enhancing reproductive success in sheep production systems.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Antioxidant · Sheep · Reproductive performance

Abstract

In small ruminant production, particularly in sheep, high reproductive performance holds strategic importance in terms of genetic sustainability, animal welfare, and economic efficiency. However, environmental stress, inadequate nutrition, and climate change are among the leading factors that increase oxidative stress, thereby negatively affecting fertility. This review examines the impact of antioxidants on reproductive physiology, spanning from mating to advanced stages of pregnancy, based on a comprehensive analysis of national and international scientific literature. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, astaxanthin, and moringa oil have been shown to improve sperm quality and libido in rams, while enhancing ovulation success, placental function, and embryo viability in ewes. Genetic markers (e.g., MTNR1A) have been identified as influential in individual responses, underscoring the need to tailor antioxidant supplementation according to environmental conditions. In this context, Turkey’s rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants offers not only national but also global strategic potential for biological sustainability and natural antioxidant resources. In conclusion, seasonally timed and individualised antioxidant protocols are considered effective and sustainable strategies for enhancing reproductive success in sheep production systems.

Özet

In small ruminant production, particularly in sheep, high reproductive performance holds strategic importance in terms of genetic sustainability, animal welfare, and economic efficiency. However, environmental stress, inadequate nutrition, and climate change are among the leading factors that increase oxidative stress, thereby negatively affecting fertility. This review examines the impact of antioxidants on reproductive physiology, spanning from mating to advanced stages of pregnancy, based on a comprehensive analysis of national and international scientific literature. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, selenium, astaxanthin, and moringa oil have been shown to improve sperm quality and libido in rams, while enhancing ovulation success, placental function, and embryo viability in ewes. Genetic markers (e.g., MTNR1A) have been identified as influential in individual responses, underscoring the need to tailor antioxidant supplementation according to environmental conditions. In this context, Turkey’s rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants offers not only national but also global strategic potential for biological sustainability and natural antioxidant resources. In conclusion, seasonally timed and individualised antioxidant protocols are considered effective and sustainable strategies for enhancing reproductive success in sheep production systems.

🔖

Cite This Article

Aslan, F. A. (2025). The Role of Antioxidants in Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Sheep: Physiological, Molecular, and Applied Perspectives. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 6, 875–884. https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1746955

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