EFFECT OF ANTHELMINTICS DRUGS ON BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BULL FRIESIAN FROZEN SEMEN

Abstract

Three different antihelmintic drugs were used in the present study (ivermectin, levamisole andalbendazole) on Friesian bulls .The animals were divided into four groups (control untreatedgroup, ivermectin, levamisole, and albendazole treated groups, respectively). The drugs used attwo doses with 8 weeks intervals between first and second one at 200μg/kg, 7.5mg/kg and10mg/kg, respectively. Semen samples were collected for 8th weeks after each dose.Biochemical semen characteristics were estimated. The bulls treated with ivermectin showedsignificant increase in semen- ejaculate volume, sperm- cells concentration (x109 / ml), totalsperm output ejaculate (x109 / ml), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and prostatic acid phosphatase(ACP) activities in seminal plasma, seminal plasma total proteins, globulin, urea and zincconcentration; while significantly decreased seminal plasma alanine-aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate-aminotranferase (AST), and sodium were reported. The bulls treated with levamisoleshowed significant increase in semen-ejaculate volume, total sperm output/ejaculate, ALP andprostatic ACP activities in seminal plasma, seminal plasma total proteins, globulin, urea andzinc concentrations; while significantly decreased seminal plasma ALT, AST, and sodium wererecorded. In contrary, the bulls treated with albendazole were significantly decreased semenejaculatevolume, sperm motility, seminal plasma total proteins, globulin, creatinine andcalcium. Also, it showed significant increase in seminal plasma enzymes activity (ALT, ASTand ALP) and zinc concentrations. It is interest to note that different anthelmintics treatmentused in this study didn’t affect significantly in seminal plasma albumin and total ACP activity.In conclusion: Ivermectin treatment improved semen qualities by increasing seminal volume andconcentration. Anthelmintics treatment with levamisole should be used carefully under controlduring breeding season. Albendazole treatment should be avoided because its harmful effect insemen by decreasing semen-ejaculate volume, sperm motility, seminal plasma total proteins,globulin and increasing seminal plasma aminotransferase enzymes activity.