ABSTRACT
This study evaluated the
effect of prebiotic enzyme administration on semen characteristics and libido
in New Zealand White rabbit bucks showing low libido. The research aimed to
improve reproductive efficiency by examining the influence of maxigrain enzyme
supplementation on sexual behavior and semen quality. A total of twelve rabbit
bucks aged 8–10 months were selected and divided into four groups, each
receiving a different dietary treatment. The control group was fed a standard
diet, while the experimental groups were supplemented with maxigrain at 1, 3,
and 5 g/100 g feed, respectively. The bucks were managed under uniform
conditions, and feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the study.
Data were collected on
parameters such as semen volume, spermatozoa viability, concentration, mass
motility, and libido indicators. Statistical analyses using ANOVA revealed
significant effects (p < 0.05) of the enzyme-supplemented diets on
reproductive performance. Bucks receiving maxigrain at 1.0 and 3.0 g exhibited
the most notable improvements, including an 81.67% reduction in reaction time
and enhanced semen quality metrics such as sperm concentration, total semen
output, and progressive motility. Notably, no adverse effects on spermatozoa
morphology were observed.
The findings demonstrated
that maxigrain inclusion in diets, particularly at 1.0 and 3.0 g levels,
significantly enhanced both libido and semen quality in rabbit bucks, making it
a promising intervention for improving reproductive efficiency. The results
suggest that dietary supplementation with maxigrain could optimize rabbit
breeding programs and increase production efficiency under similar management
and environmental conditions.
Based on these findings, it
is recommended to supplement rabbit buck diets with maxigrain at levels not
exceeding 3.0 g for optimal results. Further research is suggested to explore
the correlation between improved semen quality and reproductive outcomes such
as conception rates, litter size, and kit survivability.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the Study
1.2 Statement
of Problem
1.3 Objectives
of the Study
1.4 Justification
for the Study
CHAPTER
2
REVIEW
OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Description
of the Rabbit
2.2 Origin
and Domestication of Rabbit
2.3 Breeds of
Rabbits
2.4 Purpose
of Keeping Rabbits
2.5 Nutrient
Requirements of Rabbits
2.5.1 Vitamins
and Minerals
2.6 Reproduction
Physiology of the Rabbit Buck
2.6.1 Spermatozoa Production in Rabbits
2.7 Semen
Characteristics of Rabbit Bucks
2.7.1 Semen
Volume
2.7.2 Semen
Colour
2.8 Factors
Affecting Reproductive Performance of the Male Rabbits
2.8.1 Breed (Genetics)
2.8.2 Libido
2.8.3 Semen Management
2.8.4 Effects of Nutrition on Semen Characteristics
2.8.5 Semen Quality
2.9 Substances
Used to Improve Semen Quality of Rabbit Bucks
CHAPTER
3
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
3.1 Experimental
Location
3.2 Experimental
Animals and Management
3.3 Experimental
Design
3.4 Reaction
Time and Mounting Activity of Rabbit Bucks
3.5
Training of the Rabbit Bucks
3.6 Components or Assembling of the Improvised
Artifial Vagina
3.6.1 Assemblage
3.7
Semen Collection and Evaluation
3.7.1
Semen Collection in Rabbit Bucks
3.7.2
Semen Evaluation
3.8 Statistical
Analysis
CHAPTER
4
RESULTS
AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Effect
of Maxigrain at Various Inclusion Levels on the Reaction Time of the
Experimental Rabbit Bucks
4.2 Semen
Consistency
4.3 Semen Volume
4.4 Progressive
Motile Spermatozoa
4.5 Viable
Spermatozoa
4.6 Spermatozoa
Concentration
4.7 Percentage
Normal Spermatozoa
4.8 Total
Sperm Output
CHAPTER
5
CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Conclusion
5.2 Recommendations
References
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Table 3.1: Gross composition of the
experimental diet (%)
Table 3.2: Descriptive and numerical scales for evaluation of
microscopic pattern of semen
Table 4.1: Effect of maxigrain on
reaction time in rabbit bucks
Table 4.2: Effect of maxigrain on semen consistency in
rabbit bucks
Table 4.3: Effect of maxigrain on semen volume in
rabbit bucks
Table 4.4: Effect of maxigrain on the progressive
sperm motility in rabbit bucks
Table 4.5: Effect of maxigrain on the viable
spermatozoa in rabbit bucks
Table 4.6: Effect of maxigrain on the sperm
concentration in rabbit bucks
Table 4.7: Effect of maxigrain on the percentage
normal spermatozoa in rabbit bucks
Table 4.8: Effect of maxigrain on the on the total
sperm output/ejaculation in rabbit bucks
CHAPTER
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
Rabbits have an important role in the supply of animal protein
for humans. Rabbit occupies an important position among ruminants and
non-ruminant animals and can effectively use cellulose-rich feed in proportions
containing less than 20% grain (Saleh et
al., 2010). Rabbit digestive system is suitable for high cellulose diets
(Abdel-Aziz et al., 2014; 2015).
Simple biological characteristics, short breeding cycle, high productivity and
high feed conversion effectiveness place rabbit just below poultry in terms of
feed efficiency (Hasanat et al.,
2006).
Rabbits have been recognized to have a
very important role to play in the supply of animal protein to humans, particularly
in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Also, rabbit occupies a vital midway
between ruminants and monogastric animals and can effectively use cellulose
rich feed with ration containing less than 20% grain. They are herbivores and can be successfully
raised on diets that are low in grains and high in roughage.
The
poor and green grass ad libitum unbalanced
quality of forage based diets, usually provided to rabbits in developing
countries was described by Cheeke et al.
(1985). Despite these obvious advantages, improved feed formulation and
strategies for enhancing the production and reproductive potentials of rabbit
especially in tropical and subtropical regions of the world have not been fully
exploited, therefore use of other
additives such as enzyme is been researched on to enhance the production of
rabbit.
Enzymes are organic catalysts which are
used as feed additive in non-ruminant animal diets. Enzymes can be classified
as prebiotic and probiotic enzymes. Prebiotics are carbohydrates that cannot be
digested by human body while probiotics are good bacteria that help keep the
digestive system healthy by controlling growth of harmful bacteria. A variety
of enzymes have been found to improve the absorption of nutrients in the
intestines and the nutritive value of diets for non-ruminant animals
(Abdel-Aziz et al., 2014: 2015). The
beneficial effects of adding enzymes have been attributed to a reduction in
viscosity of digesta in the intestine, which results from arabinoxylans; the non-starch
polysaccharides present in the endosperm cell walls and which represent 70% of
the total non-starch polysaccharides in wheat (Zijstra et al., 1999).
The addition of cellulolytic enzymes to
rabbit diet has a pronounced beneficial effect on weight gain both in
cage-reared and backyard-raised rabbits (Chandra et al., 2014). Given that digestive capability of fibre and starch
in young rabbits is limited (Marounek et
al., 1995; Abdel –Aziz et al., 2014 and 2015), enzyme addition
improved the dietary digestion and performance of young rabbits on starter
diets (Gutierrez et al., 2002). This
response to enzyme addition has also been observed in 30 days old rabbits
weaned at 25 days (Fernandez et al.,
1996).
The
mode of action of enzymes on different segments of the rabbit gut has been
addressed by several researchers. Sequeira et
al. (2000) detected a lowering of gastric pH; however, an enzyme complex
composed of amylase, xylanase, β-glucanase and pectinase did not affect the
digestive parameters measured. Exogenous enzymes frequently fail to
significantly affect enzyme activities in the gastric, intestinal and caecal
contents, even in the periods following weaning (Falcão-e- Cunha et al., 2007).
Several
studies have been attempted to incorporate exogenous enzymes into rabbit diets
to improve nutrients availability (Falcão-e-Cunha et al., 2007). Falcão-e-
Cunha et al. (2004) did not report
significant effect of enzymes on rabbit performances while Eiben et al. (2004) and Garcia et al. (2005) recorded low mortality
besides improved feed conversion ratio. Khan et al. (2001) and Colombatto et
al. (2003) observed that the conditions (pH and temperature) through which
enzymes act are critical factors for their activities. Mista (2007) suggested a
decisive impact of bentonite on the pH reaction of rabbit caecum that was
favourable on the bacterial processes that take place there and consequently
may affect the enzymatic activities. Moreover, Abdl-Rahman et al. (2010) suggests that, coupling bentonite to multi-enzyme
feed additives for rabbits could lead to favourable modifications in caecal
environment presumably, acidification of caecal contents and stabilization of
ammonia nitrogen concentrations. Additionally, co-supplementation increased
serum glucose concentration and decreased serum triglycerides and cholesterol
concentration. These alterations should be considered as an advantage, as they
improve the impact of the supplemented enzymes on caecal fermentation pattern
and rabbit metabolism. Depending on these findings, this study therefore
compared the effect of supplementing maxigrain and their combination on some
sexual behavior and certain reproductive parameters of New Zealand White of
rabbit bucks.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
Some
tropical breeds of male farm animals exhibit poor reproductive performance with
respect to their copulatory behavior and quality of semen produced which in
turn affect the fertility rate. This could be attributed to various factors
such as genetic, physiological and environmental. For reproduction to be
successful, it is important to ensure that the male animals are sexually active
(show high libido) in order to enhance its copulatory activities such as proper
erection, intromission and ejaculation. The assessment of libido reveals that
poor libido bring poor fertility in the male farm animals. The quality of semen
produced by the male in terms of motility, morphology, concentration and live
sperm proportion are also important physiological consideration. Hence, this
study was designed to evaluate the effect of administration of prebiotic enzyme
(maxigrain).
1.3
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of administration of
prebiotic enzyme on semen characteristics and libido of New Zealand White of
rabbit bucks showing low libido.
Specific objectives were to:
1. determine the effect
of administration of maxigrain enzyme on the sexual behavior (libido) in rabbit
bucks showing low libido; and
2. determine
the effect of administration of maxigrain enzyme on the quality of semen
produced by the treated bucks.
1.4
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY
According
to FAO (2006) about 854 million people representing 12.6% of the world
population are severely malnourished. It has been discovered that inadequate
supply of animal protein from traditional livestock: cattle, sheep, goats, pigs
and chicken is responsible for the decline in animal protein consumption in
many developing countries of the world. To solve this problem, Biobaku and Ekpenyong
(1991) indicated that non-traditional meat sources such as rabbit suitable for
small scale farmer need to be explored.
Improving
the reproductive efficiency is one of the main factors that assure high
productivity in rabbit farms. To achieve this, breeders need to take into
consideration management practices that will promote the physiology, sexual
behavior, general well-being, and the reproductive performance of the animal.
Since appropriate feeding has been identified as the corner stone of a
profitable rabbit production (Fielding, 1991), the exploration of feed
supplement that will enhanced the full reproductive potentials of rabbit is
important. There is therefore the need to evaluate some prebiotics enzymes that
has positive effect on the sexual behavior of the rabbit bucks so as to achieve
high productivity. This will ultimately help to achieve sustainable animal
protein supply to Nigerians.
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