Spermatogenesis and daily sperm production of rabbits fed diets with different levels of copper sulphate

Abstract

Thirty-two male growing rabbits of similar weights were grouped into four treatments A, B, C and D of eight rabbits each. Treatments B, C, and D were administered with copper sulphate in feed at the following rates: 100ppm, 200ppm and 300ppm respectively to study the effect of supplemental copper sulphate on the reproductive efficiency. Treatment A served as control in which copper sulphate was not added into feeds. There were no significant differences in paired testes weight, relative testes weight, testes density, testicular element and daily sperm production from gonadal sperm reserve. However, gonadal sperm reserves and daily sperm production by quantitative testicular histology were significantly (p<0.05) higher in copper sulphate treated rabbits than the control group. It was therefore concluded that using copper sulphate, as growth promoter in rabbit has no adverse effect on its reproductive potentials.

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Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2005: pp.126-131