The effect of exposure to direct solar radiation on the semen characteristics of the male rabbit.

Abstract

Three groups of cross-bred bucks (Baladi X standard breeds) were exposed to solar radiation for three hours per day during an 8-week experimental period in June and July and were compared with a control subgroup of the same age. Each subgroup (experimental and control) comprised 10 bucks, totalling 60 bucks. The effects were determined and assessed during the 28-week period following the experiment. The exposure to solar radiation at 5 or 12 weeks of age caused a delay in the onset of puberty. In all three groups, the concentration of sperms and the fructose content were decreased. There was a marked increase in the proportion of abnormal or dead sperms and in the methylene blue reduction time. The young animals were most affected by the exposure.