EFFECT OF MORINGA OLIFERA LEAVES AND SEEDS SUPPLEMENTATION ON SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS, TESTES AND EPIDIDYMIS BIOMETRY AND SOME BLOOD PARAMATERS IN BARKI RAMS.

: This study aimed to investigate the effect of MOl or MSC supplementation on some blood constituents, semen characteristics, testis and epididymis measurements in Barki rams. Fifteen Barki rams aged 10-12 months divided into three similar groups (5each). Rams in G1 were fed the basal diet supplemented by MOL (5% of CFM), rams in G2 fed the basal diet supplemented by MSC (10% of CFM) while rams in G3 (control) were fed the basal diet without supplements. Blood samples were collected and erythrocytes, Hb, PLT, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ALT, AST, glucose, uric acid, creatinine and testosterone were determined. Semen was collected and semen physical characteristics as well as of the epididymis and testes biometric were evaluated. Results indicated that MOL and MSC supplementation to ram rations significantly affected glucose, creatinine, urea, ALT, AST and testosterone levels, and insignificantly on erythrocyte, Hb, PLT, PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. In this regard, MOL supplementation to ram rations increased MCV, PLT and decreased RBCs, Hg, MCH, MCHC, and PCV; while, MSC supplementation increased RBCs, Hg, MCHC, PLT, and urea. The addition of MOL or MSC increased ALT, AST, and creatinine, and decreased testosterone and glucose levels. Both supplementation (MOL or MSC) in Barki rams' feed improved most characteristics of semen such as volume, motility, vitality and normality, and reduced mortality and abnormalities and there is no significant effect on testes measurements. The highest testicular weight and width were observed in the MOL group. The testicular size was relatively higher for rams fed a moringa-free diet compared to those supplemented with MOL or MSC. It could be concluded that supplementation of MOL and MSC rations into Barki rams' rations improved most of the semen characteristics (volume, motility, vitality and normality) and reduced mortality and malformations. However, it negatively affects kidney function (increased urea and creatinine) and liver enzyme activities (ALT & AST).