Influence of Date Palm Pollen Administration on Reproductive Performance, Ovulatory Response, Antioxidants Capacity and Immunity of Rabbit Does

Abstract

This study evaluated the beneficial impact of daily oral administration with date palm pollen (DPP) on the reproductive efficiency, parameters of blood, ovarian activity and reproductive hormonal profiles in NZW rabbit does. Does (n=60) were divided into 3 treatments (20 in each) administered with 0, 250 and 500 mg DPP/doe dissolved in distilled water (2 ml) respectively, for 35 d premating. Does were naturally mated with adult NZW bucks at the termination of treatment period (35 d). Both levels of DPP significantly increased pregnancy and viability rates, and litter characteristic at birth and weaning as compared to control. Oral treatment with both DPP levels significantly increased Hb, RBCs and hematocrit, serum total proteins, albumin, globulin and glucose and high-density lipoprotein, while significantly decreased WBCs serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lowdensity lipoprotein compared with control. Does receive both DPP levels had significantly improved kidney and liver functions, antioxidants capacity and immune response markers than the control group. Both levels of DPP showed significantly (P<0.05) remarkable improvement of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin of rabbit does comparing with control. Rate of ovulation and embryo quality and quality were increased (P<0.05) by DPP levels comparing with control group. The data showed that orally administration of DPP may help in improving the reproductive efficiency of does via adjusting the hematological and metabolites of blood, reducing lipid profile and peroxidation, improving the antioxidant capacity and immunity, and improving the ovarian activity and embryo quality. Rabbits, date palm pollen, reproductive efficiency, antioxidants, immunity