Evaluación de la calidad espermática en conejos sometidos a flushing lumínico.

Abstract

The lighting system is a stimulant for reproduction in some species (horses) and an inhibitor for others (sheep); For this reason, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of light flushing in New Zealand rabbits to evaluate their sperm quality. We proceeded with a sample of 12 rabbits divided into two groups: the experimental group (light flushing) that used 16 hours of lighting (12 hours natural and 4 hours artificial) and the control group that used only natural light (12 hours). A total of forty ejaculates obtained by the method of collection with the artificial vagina and using rabbits as a mannequin were used for their proper collection. A significantly higher average volume was determined in the experimental group (1.02 ± 0.29 vs 0.76 ± 0.26 mL); as well as motility (83.00 ± 16.89 vs 44.75 ± 28.49%). We also found that in the experimental group there was less presence of gel, this difference being statistically significant (10 vs 55%); the amount of abnormalities did show improvement in the number of sperm in the experimental treatment (9.24 ± 7.02 vs 13.75 ± 4.37%). No significant differences were found in sperm concentration; in the percentage of vitality and functionality of the sperm membrane evaluated through the HOS Test. The seminal characteristics had a positive and significant correlation, in terms of volume, motility, with the increase in illumination time, and negative and significant correlations with the presence of gel and abnormalities. In conclusion, subjecting rabbits to four hours of artificial light improves the seminal characteristics of rabbits.

Keywords: light flushing, sperm quality, rabbits, semen collection.