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).
