IMPACT OF MAGNETIC EXTENDER ON SEMEN QUALITY, OXIDATIVE STRESS, BACTERIAL COUNT AND FERTILIZING ABILITY IN RABBITS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Rabbit Res. Department, Anim. Prod. Res. Inst., ARC, Ministry of Agric., Egypt.

2 Rabbits Res. Depart. Anim. Prod. Res. Inst., Agric. Res. Center, Ministry of Agric., Egypt.

Abstract

Twenty sexually mature bucks and eighty multiparous does of V-line rabbits were used. Semen was collected and evaluated twice weekly and only ejaculates showing advanced sperm motility ≥70% were pooled then used. Three experiments were done, the first, tris base extender was divided into four equal portions then exposed to magnetic forces 0, 5000, 6000 and 7000 gauss for 24 hr, after that some physical and chemical structure of extender were examined. The second, pooled semen extended by four experimental group samples, semen characteristics were estimated. Samples of diluted semen were taken at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs of preservation at 4-6°C. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT) and malonyaldehyde (MAD) were determined. The extended semen samples were examined bacteriologically by culturing on nutrient agar. The third, rabbit does were divided into four equal experimental groups and inseminated with semen samples diluted by extender exposed for magnetic forces 0, 5000, 6000 and 7000 gauss immediately after magnetic exposure. Kindling rate, litter size and weight at birth were recorded.
Results revealed that physical and chemical properties increased except, Cl- element and organic matter values in extender that exposed to different forces of magnetic fields. Advanced motility was increased but dead, abnormal and acrosomal damage were decreased during 72 hr compared to control group. Levels of TAC and CAT activity enzymes were higher but MAD was lower, compared with control at 72 hr. exposure to magnetic fields decreased bacterial and fungi growth colony's in nutrient agar. Kindling rate, litter size and weight at birth were higher than control.
Conclusion: Exposing rabbit semen extender to magnetic forces 5000 or 6000 gauss for 24 hr before dilution improved extender and semen characteristics throughout preservation at 5°C for 72 hr, oxidative status and litter size and weight at birth.

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