Zinc and Male Reproduction in Domestic Animals: A Review

摘要

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element having a wide range of biological roles. It plays catalytic, structural and regulatory roles in more than 200 Zn-metalloenzymes identified in the biological systems. It plays an important role in polymeric organization of macromolecules like DNA andRNA, protein synthesis, cell division and stability of biological membranes through protection against oxidative injury. Physiologically, Zn is vital for growth and development, sexual maturation and reproduction, dark vision adaptation, olfactory and gustatoty activity, insulin storage and release and for a variety of host immune defenses. Improvement in the sperm production and fertility has been achieved following the supplementary feeding of Zn. Crop residues, which form the bulk of rations in India, are deficient in Zn and indeficiency may lead to male reproductive failure in domestic livestock.