Effect of Nutritional and Functional Properties of Moringa Oleifera Leaves (MOL) on: I. Semen Quality and Offspring Performance of New Zealand White (NZW) Bucks

The study aimed to assess the effects of feeding Moringa Oleifera leaves meal (MOL) on performance and semen quality of NZW Bucks at age 12 month for 3 months period. A total of 30 bucks, average body weight (3227 g ± 20.3), were distributed into 3 treatments (10 bucks/treatment). Dietary treatments according to MOL inoculation levels to basal diet were; 0% (control, T1), 4% (T2) and 8% (T3). Basal diet (control) was formulated to contain 17.9% crude protein and 2790 Kcal /kg DE and were formulated to meet all essential nutrient requirements of male rabbits. Semen was collected twice weekly for six weeks for assessment and furthermore bucks were allowed to mate with female NZW, received same MOL levels. Therefore, the performance of offspring were evaluated from weaning till 5 weeks periods. Results of semen quality, total volume and sperm concentration indicated that feeding bucks 4% or 8% MOL were not different from the control group. However, same parameters were significantly higher (P<.05) in 4% MOL fed bucks (.93ml and 92.7x10⁷, respectively) compared to those received 8% MOL (.66ml and 76.1x10^7, respectively). Motility was higher (P<.05) in 4% MOL compared to the control group (78.5 vs. 74.0%, respectively) but not to the 8% MOL fed bucks. No treatments effect was detected in semen abnormality rate. Furthermore, weekly semen collection time was significant (P<.05) without any consistent trend. No interaction effect between treatments and frequent collection time was found. The results of Bucks’ offspring performance at 5 weeks- old revealed improved body weight, body weight gain and FCR (P<.05) in group fed 4% MOL (1493g, 1264g and 2.9) compared to the control (1388g, 1074g and 3.6), respectively. However, no differences were found in these parameters between T3 and either T1 or T2 groups. The interaction between treatments, weeks and sex revealed significant (P<.05) increased male body weights more than the females due to MOL supplementation starts from week 2 till termination of the experiment, indicating positive effect towards males. In conclusion, MOL could be incorporated at 4% without adverse effect for optimal reproductive efficiency and performance in male rabbits intended for breeding purpose and furthermore, for improving body weight of males offspring till marketing age.