Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(3):97-108 | DOI: 10.17221/6/2026-CJAS

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on fresh bull semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysisReview

Jabulani Ngcobo ORCID...1, Thobela Louis Tyasi ORCID...2
1 Department of Animal Sciences, Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Pretoria, South Africa
2 School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, Limpopo, South Africa

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including omega-3, are known to yield health benefits to mammals, including bulls and human beings. This meta-analysis was done to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids (OMFA) on bull semen quality. The research question formulated for this meta-analysis was centred on the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) framework. To determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on semen quality, a meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The different effects were analysed using a random effects model. The variations among the included studies were tested using heterogeneity (I2). Semen volume (MD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13; 0.44), sperm concentration (MD = 71.12, 95% CI: 15.97; 126.26), live sperm (MD = 11.93; 95% CI: 7.30; 16.55), sperm motility (MD = 9.24, 95% CI: 7.39; 11.09) and plasma membrane integrity (MD = 11.60, 95% CI: 6.30; 16.89) increased dramatically in the omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented group. Notably, the progressive motility (MD = 1.19, 95% CI: –3.24; 5.61) was the only sperm parameter showing a non-significant influence when omega-3 fatty acids were supplemented. It was then concluded that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be used to improve most of the semen parameters in bulls.

Keywords: bull fertility; fatty acid supplementation; nutritional modulation; polyunsaturated fatty acid; reproductive efficiency

Received: January 12, 2026; Accepted: March 9, 2026; Published: March 31, 2026  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Ngcobo J, Tyasi TL. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on fresh bull semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Czech Journal of Animal Science. 2026;71(3):97-108. doi: 10.17221/6/2026-CJAS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Ahmad S, Ali S, Abbas A, Abbas RZ, Zubair M, Raza MA, Bano N, Shafi MU, Badar SN, Hussain K, Rizwan M, Ahmad T. Effects of dietary supplementation of linseed oil (omega-3) on quality parameters of Nili Ravi bull spermatozoa. Livest Sci. 2019 Apr 9;224:57-9. Go to original source...
    2. Arrebola F, Abecia JA. Effects of season and artificial photoperiod on semen and seminal plasma characteristics in bucks of two goat breeds maintained in a semen collection center. Vet World. 2017 May 13;10(5):521-5. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Bennett A, Basurto X, Virdin J, Lin X, Betances SJ, Smith MD, Allison EH, Best BA, Brownell KD, Campbell LM, Golden CD, Havice E, Hicks CC, Jacques PJ, Kleisner K, Lindquist N, Lobo R, Murray GD, Nowlin M, Patil PG, Rader DN, Roady SE, Thilsted SH, Zoubek S. Recognize fish as food in policy discourse and development funding. Ambio. 2021 May;50(5):981-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Bodur M, Yilmaz B, Agagunduz D, Ozogul Y. Immunomodulatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids: Mechanistic insights and health implications. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2025 May;69(10):e202400752. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Boe-Hansen GB, Satake N. An update on boar semen assessments by flow cytometry and CASA. Theriogenology. 2019 Oct 1;137:93-103. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    6. Bradford GE. Contributions of animal agriculture to meeting global human food demand. Livest Prod Sci. 1999;59(2-3):95-112. Go to original source...
    7. Brito LFC, Althouse GC, Aurich C, Chenoweth PJ, Eilts BE, Love CC, Luvoni GC, Mitchell JR, Peter AT, Pugh DG, Waberski D. Andrology laboratory review: Evaluation of sperm concentration. Theriogenology. 2016 Jun;85(9):1507-27. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. Castellini C, Mattioli S, Signorini C, Cotozzolo E, Noto D, Moretti E, Brecchia G, Dal Bosco A, Belmonte G, Durand T, De Felice C, Collodel G. Effect of dietary n-3 source on rabbit male reproduction. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019 Dec 16;2019:3279670. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Dolatpanah MB, Towhidi A, Farshad A, Rashidi A, Rezayazdi A. Effects of dietary fish oil on semen quality of goats. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. 2008 Jan;21(1):29-34. Go to original source...
    10. El-Hamd M, Metwally AS, Hegazy M, Ghallab Z, Elateeqy O. Effect of supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids on blood parameters and semen quality of friesian bulls. Slov Vet Res. 2019;56(22 Suppl):765-72. Go to original source...
    11. Gholami H, Chamani M, Towhidi A, Fazeli MH. Improvement of semen quality in Holstein bulls during heat stress by dietary supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids. Int J Fertil Steril. 2010;4(4):160-7.
    12. Gonzalez N, Marques M, Nadal M, Domingo JL. Meat consumption: Which are the current global risks? A review of recent (2010-2020) evidences. Food Res Int. 2020 Nov;137:109341. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Gurler H, Calisici O, Calisici D, Bollwein H. Effects of feeding omega-3-fatty acids on fatty acid composition and quality of bovine sperm and on antioxidative capacity of bovine seminal plasma. Anim Reprod Sci. 2015 Sep;160:97-104. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Hamad A, Tayel A. Food 2050 concept: Trends that shape the future of food. J Future Food. 2025 Jul. Go to original source...
    15. Hosseini A, Khalili MA. Improvement of motility after culture of testicular spermatozoa: The effects of incubation timing and temperature. Transl Androl Urol. 2017 Apr;6(2):271-6. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Idamokoro EM. The relevance of livestock husbandry in the context of food security: A bibliometric outlook of research studies from 1938 to 2020. Front Sustain Food Syst. 2023 Jun 23;7:1204221. Go to original source...
    17. Khoshniat MT, Towhidi A, Rezayazdi K, Zhandi M, Rostami F, Dadashpour Davachi N, Khalooee F, Kastelic J. Dietary omega-3 fatty acids from linseed oil improve quality of post-thaw but not fresh sperm in Holstein bulls. Cryobiology. 2020 Feb 6;93:102-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Khoshvaght A, Towhidi A, Zare-Shahneh A, Noruozi M, Zhandi M, Dadashpour Davachi N, Karimi R. Dietary n-3 PUFAs improve fresh and post-thaw semen quality in Holstein bulls via alteration of sperm fatty acid composition. Theriogenology. 2016 Jan 15;85(4):807-12. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Lass A, Belluzzi A. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and IVF treatment. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019 Jan;38(1):95-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Li Y, Kalo D, Zeron Y, Roth Z. Progressive motility - A potential predictive parameter for semen fertilization capacity in bovines. Zygote. 2016 Feb;24(1):70-82. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Makkar HPS. Review: Feed demand landscape and implications of food-not-feed strategy for food security and climate change. Animal. 2018 Aug;12(8):1744-54. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Moallem U, Neta N, Zeron Y, Zachut M, Roth Z. Dietary alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed oil or eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids from fish oil differentially alter fatty acid composition and characteristics of fresh and frozen-thawed bull semen. Theriogenology. 2015 Apr 15;83(7):1110-20. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    23. Mujic E, Mateo J, Dehnavi M, Omanovic H, Dzaferovic A, Begic M, Corbo S. Effect of extruded flaxseed supplementation during the indoor fattening of yearling bulls on beef carcass, meat composition, and fatty acid profile. Czech J Anim Sci. 2025;70(12):518-27. Go to original source...
    24. Ngcobo JN, Nedambale TL, Nephawe KA, Chokoe TC, Ramukhithi FV. Effects of dietary flaxseed oil and ascorbic acid on the reproductive performance of South African indigenous sheep. Ruminants. 2023 Jan 19;3(1):9-24. Go to original source...
    25. Ngcobo JN, Ramukhithi FV, Nephawe KA, Mpofu TJ, Chokoe TC, Nedambale TL. Flaxseed oil as a source of omega n-3 fatty acids to improve semen quality from livestock animals: A review. Animals (Basel). 2021 Nov 28;11(12):3395. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. Perumal P, Chang S, Khate K, Vupru K, Bag S. Flaxseed oil modulates semen production and its quality profiles, freezability, testicular biometrics and endocrinological profiles in mithun. Theriogenology. 2019 Sep 15;136:47-59. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Peter AT, Brito L, Althouse G, Aurich C, Chenoweth P, Fraser N, Lopate C, Love C, Luvoni G, Waberski D. Andrology laboratory review: Evaluation of sperm motility. Clin Theriogenol. 2021 Mar;13(1):24-36. Go to original source...
    28. Pham CV, Wang HC, Chen SH, Lee JM. The threshold effect of overfishing on global fishery outputs: International evidence from a sustainable fishery perspective. Fishes. 2023 Jan 24;8(2):71. Go to original source...
    29. Reynolds LP, Wulster-Radcliffe MC, Aaron DK, Davis TA. Importance of animals in agricultural sustainability and food security. J Nutr. 2015 Jul;145(7):1377-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Rosyada ZNA, Tumbelaka LI, Ulum MF, Solihin DD, Kaiin EM, Gunawan M, Harsi T, Suharto K, Purwantara B. Meta data analysis of conception rate in relation to sperm motility in Madura superior bulls. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci. 2021 Oct 25;902(1):012048. Go to original source...
    31. Shah SMH, Ali S, Zubair M, Jamil H, Ahmad N. Effect of supplementation of feed with flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) oil on libido and semen quality of Nilli-Ravi buffalo bulls. J Anim Sci Technol. 2016 Jul 1;58:25. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    32. Singh M, Ghosh SK, Prasad JK, Katiyar R, Das GK, Dhara SK, Islam R, Kadirvel G, Kumar A, Rajoriya JS, Verma MR. Single melatonin treatment improves reproductive performance of Singharey goats during non-breeding season under sub-tropical condition of North East India. Small Rumin Res. 2020 Nov;192:106232. Go to original source...
    33. Singh M, Mollier RT, Patton RN, Pongener N, Bordoloi LJ, Kumar R, Katiyar R, Khan MH, Rajkhowa D, Mishra VK. Linseed oil in boar's diet improved in vivo fertility and antioxidant status. Reprod Domest Anim. 2023 Jan;58(1):27-38. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. Smith J, Sones K, Grace D, MacMillan S, Tarawali S, Herrero M. Beyond milk, meat, and eggs: Role of livestock in food and nutrition security. Anim Front. 2013 Jan;3(1):6-13. Go to original source...
    35. Sumaila UR, Cheung W, Dyck A, Gueye K, Huang L, Lam V, Pauly D, Srinivasan T, Swartz W, Watson R, Zeller D. Benefits of rebuilding global marine fisheries outweigh costs. PLoS One. 2012 Jul 13;7(7):e40542. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    36. Toral PG, Hervas G, Fernandez-Diez C, Belenguer A, Frutos P. Rumen biohydrogenation and milk fatty acid profile in dairy ewes divergent for feed efficiency. J Dairy Sci. 2021 May;104(5):5569-82. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    37. Yuan C, Zhang K, Wang Z, Ma X, Liu H, Zhao J, Lu W, Wang J. Dietary flaxseed oil and vitamin E improve semen quality via propionic acid metabolism. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023 Apr 14;14:1139725. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    38. Zakariapour Bahnamiri H, Ganjkhanlou M, Zali A, Yang WZ. Effect of fish oil supplementation and forage source on Holstein bulls performance, carcass characteristics and fatty acids profile. Ital J Anim Sci. 2019;18(1):20-9. Go to original source...
    39. Zoca SM, Geary TW, Zezeski AL, Kerns KC, Dalton JC, Harstine BR, Utt MD, Cushman RA, Walker JA, Perry GA. Bull field fertility differences can be estimated with in vitro sperm capacitation and flow cytometry. Front Anim Sci. 2023 May 2;4:1180975. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content