Effects of potato peel extract on semen quality, sex hormones and immunity of rabbit bucks under intensive breeding system.

Abstract

This study examined the utilisation of potato peels extract (PPE), derived from potato processing, as possible antioxidants for enhancing immunity and semen quality. Twenty-four V-Line rabbit bucks 10months old were randomly assigned into three homogenous treatments (n=8), PPE 25 and 50 groups orally administered two different concentrations (25 and 50mg PPE/kg body weight) every two days for four months; a control orally administered water only. Semen characteristics, serum hormones, serum immunoglobulin M and antioxidative status of seminal plasma were determined. The results reveal that treatment with both levels of PPE significantly improved sperm concentration and decreased the percentage of dead spermatozoa compared with that of the control. Seminal plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances significantly (p<.01) decreased with elevated levels of total antioxidant capacity, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase by PPE treatments. Serum immunoglobulin M concentration was significantly (p<.01) higher for the PPE treatments compared to the control. Our results suggest that the use of PPE could prevent the accumulation of oxidation products and may have beneficial impact on the sperm concentration. The extract lowered the percentage of dead spermatozoa by reducing the intensity of oxidation processes. Low dose of the PPE was more effective than high dose.