Abstract
Broiler breeder males fed diets containing cottonseed meal (CSM) from 10-30% and lysine (2%) to explore the toxic effects on male reproductive performance. A significant (P <= 0.05) decrease in body weight, comb area and vent size was observed in 20 and 30% CSM fed groups. A decrease in serum testosterone, semen volume and sperm counts occurred with the increase in dietary level of CSM. Testes volume, absolute and relative weights were significantly (P <= 0.05) lower in all the treated groups. Testes of males kept on ration containing up to 20% CSM fed groups did not show any pathological changes. Histologically, testes of 30% CSM fed birds exhibited increased intertubular connective tissue proliferation. In most of the tubules, round spermatids had necrotic nuclei. In some birds, seminiferous tubules had smaller diameter than those of birds of control group. These tubules had 1-2 layers of cells having vesicular nuclei with a nucleolus and fine chromatin. In the present study, all levels of CSM incorporated ration only partially alleviated the deleterious effects of CSM.