Effect of dietary protein, selenium and temperature humidity index on reproductive traits of male rabbits in a tropical environment

Abdulrashid, M. and Juniper, D. T. (2016) Effect of dietary protein, selenium and temperature humidity index on reproductive traits of male rabbits in a tropical environment. Journal of Animal Production Research, 28 (2). pp. 61-75. ISSN 0189-0514

Abstract/Summary

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and selenium supplementation and temperature humidity index (THI) on male rabbit reproductive traits. Fourty eight male New Zealand White rabbits (23 ± 1.4 weeks of age) weighing 2.8 ± 1.13kg, were randomly allocated to one of six isocaloric diets (n = 8 animals/ treatment) that differed in either protein content (14g/100g, 18g/100g and 22g/100g) or selenium content (0.4 and 0.7 mg Se/ kg diet). The experimental design was 3 x 2 factorial. The study ran from April 2012 to September 2012. Significant (P= 0.001) differences observed in semen pH levels (R2 = 0.80, P= 0.010), reaction time [(libido)(R2= 0.85, P= 0.006)] and the proportion of abnormal sperm (R2= 0.44, P= 0.089) as time advanced suggesting positive relation with the changes in environmental THI. There were significant (P= 0.001) interactions between dietary protein level and Se on testis characteristics which seem to improve in Se supplemented group as dietary protein increased. The levels of THI experienced in this study were not sufficiently high enough to result in more pronounced responses on reproductive performance. Therefore there were no adverse effects on the rabbits reproductive traits fed dietary supplements in the tropics.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/74771
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Agriculture, Policy and Development > Department of Animal Sciences > Animal, Dairy and Food Chain Sciences (ADFCS)- DO NOT USE
Publisher	National Animal Production Research Institute
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