Evaluation of Semen Quality, Seminal Biochemical Traits, and Histological Features of Aloe Vera Extract Administrated to Rabbit Bucks

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of supplementing rabbit bucks' drinking water with Aloe vera extract (AVE) on their semen quality, seminal biochemical traits, and testicular structure. We divided twenty-four adult V line rabbit bucks into three equal groups. The second and third groups received daily doses of 2 ml and 4 ml AVE per liter of tap water, respectively, for 12 consecutive weeks, while the first group served as the control (0 ml AVE/ L). The results revealed that the group receiving the lower AVE dose (2 ml AVE/ L) exhibited improved libido (lower reaction time), higher semen volume, and increased litter size in does compared to the control group. These improvements were associated with enhanced semen quality, including higher sperm motility, total sperm output, and reduced abnormal sperm and pus cells in the lower dose group (P≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the lower AVE dose group demonstrated significantly increased levels of seminal plasma initial fructose, total protein, albumin, and total antioxidant capacity, while levels of seminal plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly decreased compared to both the control and high AVE dose groups. The low AVE dose also positively impacted the histological structure of the testes and spermatogenic activity within the seminiferous tubules of the buck rabbits. In conclusion, administering a low dose of AVE (2 ml/ L) in drinking water to rabbit bucks significantly improved semen quality and positively influenced seminal biochemical traits and testicular histological structure.