EFFECT OF MAGNETIC WATER ON PRODUCTION AND PRESERVATION SEMEN OF RABBIT BUCKS.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of receiving magnetic water (3600 Gauss) on antioxidant, immunity status, semen production and preservation, and sperm fertilizing ability of APRI bucks. Twenty adult bucks were divided into two groups, 10 in each, receiving natural water (NW, control) or magnetic water (MW) for 90 days presemen collection. Semen was collected twice/week for 6 weeks using an artificial vagina. Reaction time (RT) was recorded during semen collection and serum testosterone, oxidative and immunity status were determined at the end of semen collection. Semen was evaluated for volume and pH value, progressive motility, livability, abnormality and acrosomal damage and outputs/ejaculate (TSO) of spermatozoa were determined. Semen was preserved for 48 h at 5 oC and evaluated for progressive motility, livability abnormality and acrosomal damage at 0, 24 and 48 h. At the end of semen collection, conception (CR) and kindling (KR) rates were recorded for does naturally mated with experimental bucks or artificially inseminate with preserved semen. Results showed that RT (p<0.001), malondialdehyde, thiobarbituric acidreactive substances (p<0.05) and lysozyme content (p<0.001) decreased, while serum testosterone, total antioxidant capacity and antibody titer increased (p<0.001) in MW than in NW. All physical semen characteristics and total sperm output were higher, while semen pH was lower (p<0.001) in MW than in NW, but ejaculate volume was not affected by MW. The CR of does naturally mated by MW bucks were higher (p<0.05) than NW ones (70 vs. 90%). Sperm characteristics in preserved semen were better (p<0.05) for MW than NW, and had deleterious effects by advancing preservation time. Both CR and KR were higher (p<0.05) for preserved semen of MW (70 and 75.19%) than that of NW (56.67 and 67.46%), respectively, being the highest (p<0.05) for semen at 0 time. In conclusion, magnetizing water with 3600 Gauss for effect of drinking rabbit bucks for breeding (natural mating) or semen collection for artificial insemination with preserved semen for 24 h at 5 oC resulted in improved natural water quality, antioxidant status, immune response, quality of fresh and preserved semen, and sperm fertilizing capacity of bucks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]