EFFECTS OF PARSLEY SEEDS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AS NATURAL ADDITIVES ON SEMEN QUALITY IN RABBIT MALES

Abstract

This study is designed to evaluate the effect of using parsley seeds (PAS) at different levels as a natural on semen quality and reduce the effect of lipidperoxidation of bucks. Forty New Zealand rabbit bucks 8 month old were divided into four groups (each 10 rabbit bucks). The groups were divided as follows: Control diet (free from PAS), T1: Control diet + 5g/kg PAS, T2: Control diet + 10g/kg PAS; T3: Control diet + 15g/kg PAS. Semen sample were collected twice a week; from each rabbit buck by artificial vagina. The first semen collection was used to evaluate semen quality parameters. However, the second semen collection was used for analysis semen plasma. Results revealed that feeding diets containing different levels of PAS significantly (P<0.05) increased semen volume, mass activity, individual motility, PSV, sperm concentration, total sperm and seminal plasma activity of ALP enzyme and significant (P<0.05) decrease in dead sperm and seminal plasma concentrations of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol and MDA and seminal plasma activities of AST and ALT enzymes and TAC as compared with the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with different levels of PAS, especially at the level of 15 g/kg (T3) resulted in significant improvement in semen quality, antioxidant status and reproductive traits of rabbit bucks.