Sexual behaviour response, testicular development and semen quality of New Zealand white rabbit bucks as influenced by dietary chitosan.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary chitosan supplementation on sexual behaviour responses, testicular development, and semen quality traits of New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit bucks. Twenty-four 5-week-old rabbit bucks were used in this experiment. Animals were grouped into four equal experimental groups: the control group was fed only on a basal diet, whereas the other groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with three levels of chitosan at 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6g/kg, respectively. Also, bucks that received chitosan at 0.2 and 0.4g/kg had a significantly earlier time of sexual libido (p ≤ .05) and had significantly higher ejaculate volume and sperm concentration than other groups (p ≤ .001). Furthermore, basic and sexual behaviours were significantly improved in bucks fed chitosan at 0.2 and 0.4g/kg compared with other groups. Therefore, it could be concluded that using chitosan at 0.2 and 0.4g/kg enhanced sexual behaviour, improved semen quality, and reproductive efficiency in the NZW rabbit bucks.