Is it necessary to control seasonal quality of the rabbit ejaculate?

Abstract

The aim of our study was to compare the rabbit ejaculate quality during the year in term of the seasonal effect on the rabbit fertility. Semen samples from 25 bucks were collected using an artificial vagina throughout the year (5 collections in each season). Each sample of fresh ejaculate was evaluated for concentration and motility parameters using CASA system. The sperm concentration showed decreasing tendency from spring to winter, when it fell at the lowest value in comparison to the other seasons (p<0.001). The percentage of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa reached the highest value in summer in comparison to other seasons. The sperm motility (p<0.001) and also the progressive motility (p<0.05) were higher in summer than in winter season. The motility (p<0.05) as well as the progressive motility (p<0.01) of spermatozoa in spring were lower than in summer. In conclusion, our observed results clearly show the seasonal effect on the fertility traits of rabbit ejaculates. For that reason, it is really necessary to evaluate the semen quality of bucks throughout the year in order to choose appropriate season and animals for planned experiments.