Influence of garlic (Allium sativum) and vitamin E on semen characteristics, reproductive performance and histopathology of rabbit bucks

Abstract

Researches have proven that garlic has medicinal, antimicrobial properties, speeds up digestion and widely used as preservatives, spice and condiment in many homes Vitamin E on the hand is a fat soluble vitamin with potent antioxidant properties essential for the stabilization of biological  membranes, protecting cells from oxidative stress and inhibits angiogenesis. Thus, a study using thirty-six (36) pre-pubertal New Zealand White rabbit bucks was conducted to investigate the physiological response of garlic and vitamin E supplementations on libido, gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm characteristics, reproductive hormone and testicular histology of rabbit bucks. The bucks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments and replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each dietary treatment consisted of 9 rabbits per treatment with 3 rabbits per replicate. Four dietary treatments were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of rabbits supplemented at 0% garlic and vitamin E (T ), 3% garlic (T ), Vitamin E (T ), and 3% garlic and Vitamin E 1 2 3
(T ) respectively. Data were collected on the libido, seminal characteristics, seminal plasma, 4 testicular morphology and hormones. The testicles were collected and processed for histopathology. Data collected on different parameters were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that significantly (P<0.05) differences were observed in all the seminal characteristics parameters, on the testicular weights, volumes and on the
reproductive hormones compared with the control. Testicular histology showed increased in number of seminiferous tubules with the  supplementation. These results proved that both garlic and Vitamin E improve semen production both in quality and quantity and the overall
reproductive performance. Moreover, combination of the garlic and vitamin E gives a better result. Therefore, garlic and vitamin E should be used together for better quantitative and qualitative semen production and reproductive performance in breeding animals.

Keywords: Semen, testis, hormones, reproduction, histopathology, garlic, vitamin E