Combined Supplementation of Nano-Zinc Oxide and Thyme Oil Improves the Nutrient Digestibility and Reproductive Fertility in the Male Californian Rabbits.

Ahmed A A Abdel-Wareth,Fahdah Ayed Alshammari,Mohammed Ali Al-Kahtani,Abdallah E Metwally,Islam M Saadeldin,Hazem G M El-Sayed,Mahmoud S Abd El-Sadek,Mohamed H A Suleiman,Khalid Mushabab Alsyaad,Muhammad Mobashar,Ahmed Ezzat Ahmed,Fatma Mohsen Shalaby,Abdalla H H Ali,Mohamed O Taqi

doi:10.3390/ani10122234

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe present study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of supplementing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), thyme oil (THO), or their combination on the reproductive parameters, nutrient digestibility coefficients, and some blood metabolites of male Californian rabbits. Results showed an improvement in the nutrients digestibility, liver and kidney functions, testosterone concentration, and semen characteristics (semen volume, sperm motility, vitality, and morphology). ZnO-NPs were more effective in improving the male fertility, while THO showed a marked improvement in nutrient digestibility. Therefore, the inclusion of ZnO-NPs, or THO, or both is recommended for a rabbit feeding regimen to improve the feeding profitability.The present study aimed to determine the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), thyme oil (THO), or their combination on the nutrient digestibility coefficients, reproductive parameters, and some blood metabolites of male Californian rabbits. One hundred rabbits, 29-weeks of age (initial body weight 3.48 ± 0.08 kg) were randomly distributed into four groups, 25 rabbits each. Treatment groups were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg), THO (500 mg/kg), or combination of ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg) and THO (500 mg/kg). The feeding trial lasted for 35 days. Results showed improvements in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber in ZnO-NPs, THO, and their combination treated groups compared to those of control. Furthermore, semen volume, sperm motility, vitality, and morphology were significantly improved (p < 0.01) in ZnO-NPs and THO groups rather than the control. Both ZnO-NPs and THO, as either individual or combined treatments significantly improved the serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT), aspartate amino-transferase (AST), urea, and creatinine compared to the control. Moreover, serum concentrations of testosterone were significantly increased in rabbits supplemented with ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination compared to those of control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ZnO-NPs, THO, or their combination improved the digestibility of nutrients, liver/ kidney functions, semen characteristics, and testosterone concentration in male rabbits.

Highlights

Feed additives of trace minerals in nanoparticles were recently used to improve the productive and reproductive parameters of farm animals [1,2]
Simple Summary: The present study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of supplementing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), thyme oil (THO), or their combination on the reproductive parameters, nutrient digestibility coefficients, and some blood metabolites of male Californian rabbits
Treatment groups were fed a control diet, a control diet supplemented with ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg), THO (500 mg/kg), or combination of ZnO-NPs (100 mg/kg) and THO (500 mg/kg)

Summary

Introduction

Feed additives of trace minerals in nanoparticles were recently used to improve the productive and reproductive parameters of farm animals [1,2]. The nano-scaled size particles, e.g., nano zinc-oxide (ZnO-NPs; 1–100 nm), provided novel physical, chemical, and biological properties [3,4]. Zinc plays a pivotal role in the sperm cell functions, including lipid flexibility, cell membrane stabilization [5], sperm capacitation, and acrosomal reaction [6]. It was found to increase the semen volume, total live sperm count, sperm motility and conception in heat-stressed rabbits [7], while its deficiency exerted oxidative damages, infertility, and worse sperm quality due to impaired spermatogenesis, lowered testosterone secretion, and increased sperm abnormalities [8]. Zinc supplementation was used to improve the sperm count, motility, form, function, quality, and fertilizing capacity [1]. The commonly used grains in rabbit diets are rich in phytate that may reduce or inhibit absorption of zinc [9,10]

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