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

Abstract

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.