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English :
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Effect of dietary ascorbic acid and betaine supplementation on semen characteristics of rabbit bucks under high ambient temperature
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| Abstract |
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary ascorbic acid and betaine supplementation on semen characteristics and some blood constituents of APRI line rabbit bucks under high ambient temperature. A total of 24 APRI line rabbit bucks were randomly divided into four experimental treatments (6 each). Animals were fed ad libitum the basal diet supplemented without (control), with 250 mg ascorbic acid /kg diet or betaine at 0.5 and 1 g/kg diet. Animals were provided with water freely. The average daily temperature and relative humidity inside the rabbitry were 32.5±4.5 °C and 75.5±3.5%, respectively. Under heat stress conditions, dietary ascorbic acid and betaine supplementation caused an increase (P<0.05) in ejaculation volume, where 1 g of betaine was more effective (P<0.05) than 0.5 g of betaine. Sperm concentration ranged from 180.7x106 cell/ml to 214.8 x106 cell/ml. Supplementing ascorbic acid and different levels of betaine in diets increased (P<0.001) sperm concentration, without differences (P>0.05) between ascorbic acid and 0.5 g betaine. Sperm motility was improved (P<0.01) with supplementing ascorbic acid and both doses of betaine in diets. The highest motility rate was recorded with rabbit bucks fed 1 g betaine/kg diet as 49.67% and the lowest motility was detected in those fed control diet as 37.83%. Ascorbic acid and different levels of betaine decreased (P<0.001) dead sperm, without differences between ascorbic acid and both doses of betaine. Fertility rate was increased with supplementing dietary ascorbic acid or betaine without any significance except for 1 g betaine, which recorded the highest value. With respect to the blood serum constituents in rabbit bucks serum total protein, albumin, globulin and total lipids significantly increased when ascorbic acid or betaine were supplemented. Betaine and ascorbic acid supplementation significantly decreased serum glucose concentration. Liver functions as judged by liver enzymes (e.g., GOT and GPT) were significantly decreased by dietary ascorbic acid or betaine supplementation. In this study, 1g betaine supplementation in rabbit bucks diet significantly improves semen quality and modify some blood constituents under high ambient temperature during summer in Egypt. If the results are confirmed on a larger scale, it could be therefore concluded that 1g betaine supplementation in the diet, could be advisable in hot climates.
Keywords: Rabbit, ascorbic acid, betaine, heat stress, semen characteristics.
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| Publication year |
2012
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| Pages |
273-277
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| Availability location |
معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
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| Availability number |
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| Organization Name |
Animal Production Research Institute (APRI)
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| City |
شرم الشيخ
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| serial title |
10 th World Rabbit Congress
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| Author(s) from ARC |
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| Agris Categories |
Animal physiology - Nutrition
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AGROVOC
TERMS |
Ascorbic acid.
Betaine.
Blood composition.
Heat stress.
Rabbits.
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| Proposed Agrovoc |
semen characteristics;
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| Publication Type |
Conference/Workshop
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