M. Khodaei-Motlagh - Department of Animal science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science, Arak University, Arak ۳۸۱۵۶-۸-۸۳۴۹, Iran.
M. Zhandi - Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
M. Kazemi-Bonchenari - Department of Animal science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science, Arak University, Arak ۳۸۱۵۶-۸-۸۳۴۹, Iran.
M. H. Moradi - Department of Animal science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Science, Arak University, Arak ۳۸۱۵۶-۸-۸۳۴۹, Iran.

Fifteen fertile rams (live weight 55.9 ± 1.21 kg, and 2.5-3 years old) were randomly allotted to three diets consisting of 0 (Control), 12.5 (PBP-12.5), and 25 % (PBP-25.5) pistachio by-products (PBP) in dry matter. Sperm motility parameters were detrimentally affected in animals feeding on PBP-25% diet (P<0.05). Sperm concentration of C17-1, C22-6-n-3, C18-2-Cis and C22-6 n-3 fatty acids decreased but that of C18-0 and C18-1-Cis fatty acids increased at the highest level of dietary PBP. The results indicated that 12.5% PBP in dry matter, as a cheap by-product, may be included in the ram diet for extended periods without any discernible detrimental effects on sperm characteristics. However, fertility trials need to be performed to substantiate this conclusion.

Farahani ram, pistachio by-product, sperm parameters