World Rabbit Science (Jun 2015)

Semen characteristics and sexual hormones of Hy-Plus rabbit bucks influenced by a dietary multi-enzymes additive

  • H. Gado,
  • M. Mellado,
  • A. Salem,
  • A. Zaragoza,
  • T.S.T. Seleem

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2015.3464
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 2
pp. 111 – 120

Abstract

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A total of 144 adult Hy-Plus rabbit bucks were randomly assigned into four treatments of 36 replicates each, in a completely randomized design. Animals were fed ad libitum on basal diet supplemented with an enzyme complex (EZ) at 0 (EZ0), 1 (EZ1), 3 (EZ3) and 5 (EZ5) kg/ton of feed. Total sperm count was higher (P<0.05) in EZ5 than in EZ0. Sperm motility increased with increasing levels of the EZ additive being lowest for EZ0 and highest for EZ5 rabbits (P<0.05). Percentage of dead sperm was higher (P<0.05) in EZ0 than in EZ5 rabbits. Rabbit bucks received the highest levele of EZ in their diet, had the shorter reaction time (22.31±3.17 sec; P<0.05),whereas EZ5 bucks took 43.56±5.89 sec to mount does for the first time after exposure. Blood testosterone, 17α-estradiol and progesterone levels were highest in EZ5 rabbits and lowest in EZ0 rabbits. Enzyme addition increased (P<0.05) sperm transit in estrus doe cervical mucus. Data suggested that the EZ additive in diets of adult Hy-Plus rabbit bucks was effective to improve both semen characteristics and sexual drive.

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