Effect of Dietary Ginger Rhizome Powder Addition on Reproductive Performance of Rabbit Bucks

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the addition of ginger rhizome powder (GRP) to the rabbit bucks ration on semen quality and semen plasma traits. A total of 28 male New Zealand rabbits (7- month- old), divided into four groups; the first treatment served as a control (Con; 0% ginger); the second, third, and fourth treatments were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% ginger powder in the diet, respectively. The results revealed no change in ejaculate volume, a significant increase in the mass sperm motility, sperm concentration, total sperm output, total motile sperm, live sperm, and Total functional sperm fraction. Dietary ginger reduced the reaction time, semen pH, and the percentage of abnormal sperm. Bucks that received 1.0% or 1.5% dietary ginger had a higher seminal plasma total proteins, albumin, globulin concentrations, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities. Conversely, seminal plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Practically, it can be concluded that ginger is a suitable supplement for improving semen quality and semen plasma in adult male rabbits.