الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 124 |  |  |
| | | from | 124 | | |
Abstract
This study investigated the beneficial effect of phytogenic extracts on physiological responses, hematological parameters, semen quality, reproductive hormones, thyroid activity, immunity, antioxidants status in blood, hepatic antioxidant activity, testicular functions and health indices and fertility of rabbit bucks under heat stress conditions.
In conclusion, the present study indicated that:
• The mean ST and RT of rabbit bucks improved (p <.05) in groups 2–7 after all treatments (turmeric or garlic) compared to group 1. Seminal plasma TP, Alb, TAC, and testosterone concentrations increased (P <0.05), while those of TC, and TGs decreased (P <0.05) in groups 2–7 compared to group 1. Garlic phytogenic extract supplementation at 100 mg/kg diet showed the best results with regard to biochemical composition, enzyme activity, antioxidant status, and testosterone concentration in the seminal plasma of rabbit bucks compared to other treatments. The Hb concentration and count of RBCs and WBCs, and platelets were increased (P<0.05) due to different levels of turmeric or garlic extract supplementation.
• Serum FSH, LH, testosterone, T3, and T4 concentrations increased in groups 2–7 compared to group 1. Turmeric extract at 90 mg/kg diet or garlic phytogenic extract at 100 mg/kg diet increased (P<0. 05) the serum IgG concentration, while serum IgM, IL-6, and TNF-α concentrations increased (P<0.05) in groups 2–7 compared to
group 1. Blood serum TAC activity increased (P<0.05) due to with different levels of turmeric and garlic extract, while decreasing (P<0.05) serum MDA level. ATP activities increased (P <0.05) in group 7. SOD activity increased (P<0.05) in group 3. The NSV; percentages of PM, livability, and membrane integrity of spermatozoa; intact acrosomes; sperm cell concentration; and TSO and TMO increased (P<0.05), while the percentage of sperm abnormality decreased (P<0.05) in groups 2–7.
• The pregnancy rate, litter size at birth (live) and weaning, and viability rate of kits at birth significantly increased (P<0.05) in rabbit does mated with rabbit bucks of groups 2–7 compared to group 1.
• In conclusion, phytochemicals extract supplementation could be effectively used to improve heat tolerance, heath status, oxidative capacity and testicular functions of heat-stressed rabbit bucks. Also, dietary supplementation of turmeric or garlic extract can be used as a suitable tool for enhancing the hepatic antioxidant activity, immunity, and semen quality in rabbit bucks.