Semen quality evaluation in rabbit fed on rations containing different sources of vegetable oil - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v26i1.1945

Abstract

Semen was evaluated in forty rabbit distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments (oil-free ration and rations with 3% of canola oil, 3% of corn oil or 3% of soybean oil) and 10 replications. Ten semen collections were taken, twice a week, for five weeks. Parameters consisted of volume, pH, color, vigor, progressive motility, spermatozoa concentration/mm³, total spermatozoa per ejaculation, number of inseminating doses and abnormality rates. The animals receiving 3% canola oil rations produced a larger semen volume, higher total spermatozoa rates per ejaculation, and a greater number of inseminating doses (p < 0.05). Other oils, including canola, used in the rations failed to affect semen parameters such as volume, pH, color, vigor, spermatic progressive motility and abnormality rates.