Title:
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Effect of dietary protein and selenium supplementation on reproductive and physiological responses of male rabbits kept under tropical conditions
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The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary protein and selenium
supplementation on male rabbit reproductive and hemo-biochemical traits under tropical
conditions. 48 male New Zealand rabbits of 23 ± 1.4 weeks of age, weighing 2.8 ± 1.131 kg,
were allotted to six isocaloric dietary treatments ( n = 8 animals/treatment) that differed in
either protein (14g/100g, 18g/100g and 22g/100g) or selenium (0.4 and 0.7 mg Sel kg diet).
Animals were distributed in a 2 x 3 factorial design, and housed individually in conventional
rabbit cages. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was considered as an explanatory factor.
Ejaculate samples were collected monthly, using artificial vagina, between April and
September. Blood samples (2ml/sample) were drawn via the marginal ear vein using micro
syringes, and of ,which some samples were collected into tubes coated with anticoagulant
(EDT A or lithium heparin) and other remaining samples of equal number were collected into
uncoated tubes, for haematological and biochemical analyses respectively. Physical
performance were recorded, such as testis length and testis width were taken using measuring
tape. Daily feed intake, weekly body weight, rectal temperature and respiratory rate were
recorded accordingly. Semen pH, reaction time and abnormal sperm cells varied significantly
as the THI values changed. Significantly high red blood cells concentrations, and significantly
low levels of mean corpuscular volume were observed on 22g/100g protein groups as
compared to other dietary protein treatment groups. Whereas significantly low values of
platelets and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were noted on selenium supplemented
groups as compared to unsupplemented. There were significant interactive effects of protein
and Selenium dietary treatments on semen volume, Testis length, cortisol, mean corpuscular
haemoglobin, monocytes, and feed intake. Generally most of the values were within normal
range, thus the dietary treatments provided optimum productive and reproductive
performance on male rabbits under tropical condition. Suggesting that this finding establishes
a conducive atmosphere for rabbit production under subhumid tropical climate via possible
cost effective nutritional strategies.
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