فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Seasonal fluctuations in reproductive performance of Damascus goats pose significant challenges to year-round milk and meat production, impacting the sustainability of supply chains. Bromhexine, a mucolytic agent, has shown potential in improving semen quality by reducing viscosity, which could indirectly enhance breeding efficiency and, consequently, animal-derived food production. This study investigated the effect of bromhexine supplementation on semen quality parameters in Damascus goat bucks during the non-breeding season, with a focus on implications for reproductive management and its downstream effects on milk and meat output. Twelve sexually mature Damascus bucks (2-3 years old, 45-55 kg) were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving oral bromhexine (1 mg/kg day) or a control group receiving a placebo for 60 days during the non-breeding season. Semen was collected and evaluated for volume, liquefaction time, viscosity, sperm concentration, motility, viability, and morphology. Serum reproductive hormones and seminal plasma biochemical components were also analyzed. Bromhexine significantly reduced liquefaction time (8.2±1.1 min vs. 15.7±1.8 min, p<0.001) and seminal plasma viscosity (2.8±0.3 cP vs. 4.6±0.5 cP, P<0.01). Progressive sperm motility improved (66.3±3.4% vs. 52.8±4.2%, p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in sperm concentration, viability, morphology, hormonal profiles, or seminal plasma biochemistry. Bromhexine improves key semen physical properties, potentially enhancing breeding efficiency during the non-breeding season. This improvement can support more consistent year-round breeding, leading to stabilized milk and meat production.