Omar Besseboua, Abdelhanine Ayad
ABSTRACT. This study aims at investigating the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) supplementation on reproductive performance, haematological parameters and fertility of rabbits under Algerian conditions. The animals were divided into three groups and received the same feed ration during the experimental period. The control group received a basal diet without feed additives (Group#0) and the two yeast SC groups received 0.3 and 0.6 g/day per head (Group#1 and Group#2, respectively). Semen and blood samples were collected for determination of semen parameters and haematology. The weights of rabbits treated with SC 0.3 g/day were statistically significantly different (P< 0.05) from the control groups and group treated with SC 0.6 g/day. There were significant differences between the treatment groups for (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) values, with higher values in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day, compared to those in the control group. The scrotal diameter did not differ between the dietary treatments. When compared with the control group, feeding rabbits graded levels of SC resulted in an increase in the average semen volume, mass motility and individual motility at day 51 of the experiment. On the other hand, the sperm concentration was significantly lower (P< 0.05) in rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day during the two months compared to that in the control group. The spermatozoa mortality rate was lower for the rabbits supplemented with SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day (15.7% and 11.4%, respectively), compared to that in the control group (24%). In conclusion, this study has shown that inclusion of SC 0.3 g/day and 0.6 g/day in the diets of rabbit has positive effects on body weight and sperm analysis. Moreover, it increases the level (RBCs), haemoglobin (HGB), haematocrit (HCT) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH).
Keywords: Saccharomyces cerevisiae; feed; haematological parameters; sperm; rabbits.
