Reproductive Characteristics of Male Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) Fed on Spirulina ( Spirulina platensis ) Hydro - Ethanolic Extract

Spirulina , a filamentous cyanobacteri um, possesses diverse biological activities and nutritional significance due to high concentration of natural nutrients . This work aimed to evaluate the effects of hydro - ethanolic extract (HEE) of Spirulina platensis on organ weights, sperm characteristics , reproductive hormones and fertility index in male rabbits. 30 male rabbits were randomly distributed into 5 groups (6 rabbits/group). For 120 days, group 1 animals (control) were orally given distilled water, those of group 2 were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of vitamin E, while groups 3, 4 and 5 received respectively 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw of spirulina extract. The results showed that the relative weights of the vas deferens and sexual glands increased significantly (p<0.05) in the HEE groups compared to the control, whereas no significant (p>0.05) difference was noticed in the weights of testes and epididymis, sperm mobility and membrane integrity. Sperm count was significantly (p<0.05) higher in animals given 400 mg/kg bw of HEE of spirulina with refere nce to all other treatments. The sperm morphological anomalies declined significantly (p<0.05) in HEE - treated rabbits compared to distilled water and vitamin E - given animals. The serum concentration of FSH decreased significantly (p<0.05) in rabbits receiv ing 400 mg/kg bw of HEE of spirulina compared to those of other groups. Meanwhile, that of LH did not show any significant (p>0.05) difference among treatments. The serum content in testosterone increased significantly (p<0.05) in spirulina extract - treated and vitamin E groups with reference to the control group. The litter size and the sex ratio did not present any significant (p>0.05) difference among treatments. The kid weight at birth and the litter size at weaning increased significantly (p<0.05) in sp irulina extract - treated and vitamin E groups with the reference to the control group. The viability rates at weaning were significantly (p<0.05) higher in spirulina extract - treated groups referring to the vitamin E and distilled water groups. In conclusion , the administration of hydro - ethanolic extract of spirulina enhanced the sexual organ weights, sperm characteristics, reproductive hormone levels and performances in male rabbit.