EFFECT OF UNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS ON HORMONAL PROFILE, ANTIOXIDANT STATUS, SEMEN QUALITY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN AGING BUCK RABBITS

Twenty five aging V-lines buck rabbits, 24-month of age weighing at average 3230±41.7 g and 30 multiparous does aged 7- month at average body weight 3150±38.5 g were used. Bucks were randomly distributed to five equal groups for orally administered with 3 ml of different sources of refined vegetable oil/buck/daily, for seven consecutive weeks prior to semen collection as follows: group: 1 were given  sterilized water and served as control (C), group; 2 sesame oil (Ses), group: 3 linseed oil (Lin), group: 4 sunflower oil (Sun), group: 5 mixture oil (Mix) oil containing equal portions of Ses, Lin and Sun. Serum testosterone, follicles stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prostaglandin (PGF2α), total antioxidant enzymes (TAC) and malonylaldehayed (MAD), reaction time(RT) and semen quality were measured. Results revealed that as follows: 1-      Concentrations of serum testosterone, FSH and LH were significantly (P≤0.01) improved in treated groups compared with control group otherwise PGF2α recorded highest values in all treated groups. 2-      Aging buck rabbits consumed either Lin or Mix oils recorded the best values of serum testosterone, FSH and LH hormones concentration. 3-      All experimental treated groups represented significant (P≤0.01) increase of TAC and significant (P≤0.01) reduction in MAD compared with control. 4-      Reaction time, advanced motility, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, abnormal sperm, dead sperm, fertility rate and litter size at birth were statistically (P≤0.01) improved for groups supplemented with Lin and Mix oils compared to the other treated groups and control. Conclusively, from these results it could be concludedthat supplementing aging buck rabbits with Lin or Mix oils (rich source of n-6 and n-3) for 7 consecutive weeks before mating or artificial insemination, had improved the reproductive performance, libido, antioxidant status and fertility traits.