{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,20]],"date-time":"2026-05-20T13:13:25Z","timestamp":1779282805184,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":52,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,15]],"date-time":"2026-05-15T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1778803200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"National Major Agricultural Science and Technology Project","award":["NK2022"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["NK2022"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Epimedium is a traditional Chinese tonic used to tonify the kidneys, enhance sexual function, and strengthen muscles and bones. However, the potential effects of Epimedium on the semen quality of Bama boars remain incompletely elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Epimedium ultrafine powder (EP) supplementation on the semen quality of Bama boars and to explore the underlying mechanisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary EP supplementation on the semen quality of Bama boars and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Eighteen healthy, sexually mature adult male Bama boars were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6) and fed either a basal diet (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.3% (EP3) or 0.5% (EP5) Epimedium ultrafine powder for five weeks. This study employed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 16S RNA gene sequencing, non-targeted metabolomics (CON and EP5), and Spearman correlation analysis, among other methods. The results indicated that dietary Epimedium (0.3% and 0.5%) increased the levels of serum TP, FSH, and SOD and decreased the abnormal sperm rate and the levels of serum TBA, TNF-\u03b1, and IL-6. Among them, adding 0.5% Epimedium in the diet increased sperm motility and the levels of serum T, LH, and IgG. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed that both 0.3% and 0.5% Epimedium supplementation reduced the abundance of Streptococcus. Specifically, the 0.3% dose decreased Prevotella abundance, while the 0.5% dose reduced Escherichia-Shigella abundance. PICRUSt2 analysis revealed that the pathways of phenylalanine, butanoate, biotin, and arachidonic acid metabolism were significantly enriched in the Epimedium group. A non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified that indole-3-acrylic acid, DL-tryptophan, 2-hydroxyphenylalanine, and propionylcarnitine showed significant upregulation after Epimedium supplementation. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that Streptococcus was negatively correlated with sperm motility and serum-related parameters (TP, T, LH, IgM, and IgG). Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were negatively correlated with indole-3-acrylic acid, DL-tryptophan, and biotin. In conclusion, Epimedium has a positive impact on the seminal quality, reproductive hormones, and immune\u2013antioxidant levels of Bama boars by regulating the composition and metabolites of the intestinal microbiota.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani16101520","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,15]],"date-time":"2026-05-15T14:19:29Z","timestamp":1778854769000},"page":"1520","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Effects of Epimedium Ultrafine Powder on Seminal Quality, Hormones, Immuno-Antioxidant Status, Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in Boars"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"given":"Jingbin","family":"He","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Weiyi","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Bin","family":"Ran","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yupeng","family":"Zhang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Junjie","family":"Wu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Yunxiang","family":"Zhao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China"},{"name":"Guangxi Yangxiang Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd., Guigang 537100, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Zhili","family":"Li","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mengjie","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal Science and Technology, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,15]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2020.10.023","article-title":"Dietary flaxseed oil improves boar semen quality, antioxidant status and in-vivo fertility in humid sub-tropical region of North East India","volume":"159","author":"Singh","year":"2021","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"708","DOI":"10.1080\/10495398.2020.1746322","article-title":"Phytogenic feed additives mixture enhances the lactational performance, feed utilization and ruminal fermentation of Friesian cows","volume":"32","author":"Kholif","year":"2021","journal-title":"Anim. 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