Trials for improving reproductive traits of Baladi bucks using feed additives [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present investigations were carried out as a trial to improve the reproductive performance of local Baladi bucks through using feed additives. Twenty mature bucks raised at the National Research Center Experimental farm (Abou-Rawash, Giza, Egypt) were divided into four equal groups. The first group fed merely on the farm ration and was kept as a control. The second group was supplemented with 50 g dry fat (Magnapac)/head/day. The third group was drenched 5 ml amino acid mixture/head/day. The fourth group was supplemented with 3 g mineral mixture/head/day. Supplementation of all groups was carried out daily during the breeding season (September- March). Semen collection was carried out once weekly for six times two months post supplementation for performing complete seminal analysis. Blood samples were collected after two months (every half an hour for six hours) for evaluation of testosterone, thenafter, weekly samples were collected for six times for cellular and biochemical analysis. Results revealed that bucks supplemented with dry fat showed the shortest reaction time, improved semen characteristics as indicated by increased sperm concentration and decreased sperm abnormalities and acrosomal damage as well as increased testosterone level.

Summary in Arabic.