Improving Rabbit Fertility: The Relationship Between Semen Dilution Rate and Artificial Insemination Effectiveness
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the impact of different dilution ratios of rabbit semen to Tris Citrate Glucose (TCG) extender on doe fertility through artificial insemination in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The experiment included three dilution ratios (1:10, 1:15, and 1:20), with each treatment replicated 12 times. Semen quality variables were evaluated and does were artificially inseminated using a standardized technique. Our findings revealed that the 1:20 dilution exhibited the highest percentage of successful insemination (66.67%) and the shortest gestation period (31.6 days). Furthermore, the 1:20 dilution treatment resulted in an average litter size at birth of 5.25 kits, a litter weight at birth of 290.37 g, and a litter weight at weaning of 1963.04 g. These results suggest that the 1:20 dilution ratio holds promise for artificial insemination in rabbit breeding programs in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.
References
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Khuong, T. T. T., C. T. Nhi, T. V. B. Nam, & D. N. D. Tuyen. 2023. Cryopreservation of local black rabbit spermatozoa in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam: Evaluating cryoprotectant effectiveness. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 58:1139-1145. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14415
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Kubovicova, E., A. Makarevich, A. Balazi, J. Vasicek, & P. Chrenek. 2022. Factors affecting rabbit sperm cryopreservation: A mini-review. Zygote 30:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0967199421000137
Lukefahr, S. D. 2017. Strategies for the development of small- and medium-scale rabbit farming in South-East Asia. Livestock Research Rural Development 19:138. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd19/9/luke19138.htm
Motedayen, M. H., F. Todehdehghan, & P. Tajik. 2007. Comparative evaluation of pregnancy rates in Dutch laboratory rabbit after insemination and natural breeding. J. Vet. Res. 62:63-65.
Nosi, E., A. D. Gritzapis, K. Makarounis, G. Georgoulias, V. Kapetanios, M. Varla-Leftherioti, P. Venieratos, C. Papanikopoulos, A. Konstantinidou, & V. Tsilivakos. 2019. Improvement of sperm quality in hyperviscous semen following DNase I treatment. Int. J. Endocrinol. 29:6325169. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6325169
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Nguyen, V. T. 2019. Recent production status, research results and development conditions of rabbit production in Vietnam - A review. CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development 11:30-35. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jen.2019.004
Ramu, S. & R. S. Jeyendran. 2013. The hypo-osmotic swelling test for evaluation of sperm membrane integrity. Methods Mol. Biol. 927:21–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0_3
Roca, J., S. Mart´ınez, J. M. Vázquez, X. Lucas, I. Parrilla, & E. A. Mart´ınez. 2000. Viability and fertility of rabbit spermatozoa diluted in Tris-buffer extenders and stored at 15 °C. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 64:103-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00185-8
Ros, F., S. Offner, S. Klostermann, I. Thorey, H. Niersbach, S. Breuer, G. Zarnt, S. Lorenz, J. Puels, B. Siewe, N. Schueler, T. Dragicevic, D. Ostler, I. Hansen-Wester, V. Lifke, B. Kaluza, K. Kaluza, W. van Schooten, R. Buelow, A. C. Tissot, & J. Platzera. 2020. Rabbits transgenic for human IgG genes recapitulating rabbit B-cell biology to generate human antibodies of high specificity and affinity. Mabs 12:1846900. https://doi.org/10.1080/19420862.2020.1846900
Rosato, M. & N. Iaffaldano. 2011. Effect of chilling temperature on the long-term viability of rabbit spermatozoa held either in a tris-based or a jellified extender. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 46:301-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01667.x
Shuji, K. 2009. Improvement of Rabbit Production. In: Rabbit Biotechnology, Louis-Marie H, Jianglin F. (eds.), Springer, Netherlands. pp. 2-13.
Singh, M., R. T. Mollier, N. Pongener, & Ph. R. Sharma. 2021. Artificial insemination in pig for enhancing the pig productivity in North Eastern Hill region. Indian Farming 71:20-22.
Silagadze, D. 2022. Major challenges of agriculture. Georgian Scientists 4:145–153. https://doi.org/10.52340/gs.2022.04.02.11
Soliman, F. & K. El-Sabrout. 2020. Artificial insemination in rabbits: Factors that interfere in assessing its results. Journal Animal Behaviour Biometeorology 8:120-130. https://doi.org/10.31893/jabb.20016
Son, T. H., P. D. P. T. Hong, & P. P. Duy. 2020. Reproductive performance and factors affecting reproductive performance of YVN1 and YVN2 sows. Vietnam Journal Science Technology Engineering B. 62:54-58.
Thanh, N. V., P. T. Hang, P. V. Gioi, N. C. Toan, & S. T. Long. 2023. The relationship between plasma progesterone concentration on day 6 after artificial insemination and pregnancy rate of dairy cows in Vietnam. Trop. Anim. Sci. J. 46:146-150. https://doi.org/10.5398/tasj.2023.46.2.146
Tran, T. T. K., T. N. Chiem, V. B. N. Tran, & N. D. T. Duong. 2023. Cryopreservation of local black rabbit spermatozoa in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam: Evaluating cryoprotectant effectiveness. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 58:1139-1145. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14415
Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., F. Marco-Jimenez, J. S. Vicente, & C. Marin. 2021. Antibacterial activity of some molecules added to rabbit semen extender as alternative to antibiotics. Animals 11:1178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041178
WHO. 2021. World Health Organization Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. 6th Ed.
Betsy, C. J., J. S. S. Kumar, & K. T. P. Jawahar. 2019. Effect of different extenders and dilution ratios on the spermatological and fertilization parameters of Cyprinus carpio during cryopreservation. Biopreserv. Biobank. 17:157-162. https://doi.org/10.1089/bio.2018.0110
Cai, D. V., N. H. Tra, L. C. Hoa, T. K. Thanh, H. Q. Vuong, H. K. Hai, & L. T. Thai. 2011. Efficiency of artificial insemination and optimum time of insemination on swamp buffalo. Vietnam Journal of Agriculture & Rural Development. 182:80-84. https://bom.so/JnNV9u
Cathy, K. N., R. N. David, & J. T. Jr. Anthony. 2013. Development of an inexpensive artificial vagina for semen collection from rabbits. J. Androl. 24:712-715. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1939-4640.2003.tb02731.x
Castellini, C., A. Dal Bosco, M. Arias-Álvarez, P. L. Lorenzo, R. Cardinalli, & P. G. Rebollar. 2010. The main factors affecting the reproductive performance of rabbit does: A review. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 122:174-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.10.003
Di Iorio, M., A. Manchisi, M. Rocco, P. Chrenek, & N. Laffaldano. 2014. Comparison of different extenders on the preservability of rabbit semen stored at 5 °C for 72 hours. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. 13:710-714. https://doi.org/10.4081/ijas.2014.3444
Di Iorio, M., G. Rusco, M. A. Colonna, M. Schiavitto, M. S. D’Andrea, S. Cerolini, & N. Iaffaldano. 2020. Improving the rabbit semen cryopreservation protocol: Comparison between two extenders and inseminating doses. Annals Animal Science 20:887-898. https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2020-0023
EL-Azzazi, F. E., I. M. Hegab, & A. M. Hanafy. 2017. Biostimulation and reproductive performance of artificially inseminated rabbit does (Oryctolagus cuniculus). World Rabbit Sci. 25:313-321. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2017.7446
El-Sabrout, K., A. Khalifah, & F. Ciani. 2023. Current applications and trends in rabbit nutraceuticals. Agriculture 13:1424. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13071424
Eo, Y., S. H. Kim, S. G. Bang, M. G. Oh, C. H. Park, & J. T. Yoon. 2019. Effect of Extenders with TCG and DMSO on the viability of rabbit Sperm. Journal Animal Reproduction Biotechnology 34:100-105. https://doi.org/10.12750/JARB.34.2.100
Fumuso, F. G., S. M. Giulianob, M. G. Chavesa, D. M. Neilda, M. H. Miragayaa, M. C. Gambarottac, & M. I. Carreteroa. 2018. Seminal plasma affects the viability rate and motility pattern of raw llama spermatozoa. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 192:99-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.02.019
Hamid, M., S. Abduraman, & B. Tadesse. 2021. Risk factors for the efficiency of artificial insemination in dairy cows and economic impact of failure of first service insemination in and around Haramaya Town, Oromia Region, Eastern Ethiopia. Vet. Med. Int. 21:6622487. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6622487
Khuong, T. T. T., L. P. Thanh, N. T. K. Khang, N. T. Ngu, & D. N. D. Tuyen. 2022. Cryobank: Rapid re-herding solutions for livestock after disease. Tap Chi Khoa Hoc 58:104-14. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jvn.2022.196
Khuong, T. T. T., C. T. Nhi, T. V. B. Nam, & D. N. D. Tuyen. 2023. Cryopreservation of local black rabbit spermatozoa in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam: Evaluating cryoprotectant effectiveness. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 58:1139-1145. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14415
Kukovics, S., E. Gyoker, T. Nemeth, & E. Gergatz. 2011. Artificial Insemination of Sheep - Possibilities, Realities and Techniques at the Farm Level. In: Manafi M, editor. Artificial Insemination in Farm Animals. InTech. https://doi.org/10.5772/16642
Kubovicova, E., A. Makarevich, A. Balazi, J. Vasicek, & P. Chrenek. 2022. Factors affecting rabbit sperm cryopreservation: A mini-review. Zygote 30:1-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0967199421000137
Lukefahr, S. D. 2017. Strategies for the development of small- and medium-scale rabbit farming in South-East Asia. Livestock Research Rural Development 19:138. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd19/9/luke19138.htm
Motedayen, M. H., F. Todehdehghan, & P. Tajik. 2007. Comparative evaluation of pregnancy rates in Dutch laboratory rabbit after insemination and natural breeding. J. Vet. Res. 62:63-65.
Nosi, E., A. D. Gritzapis, K. Makarounis, G. Georgoulias, V. Kapetanios, M. Varla-Leftherioti, P. Venieratos, C. Papanikopoulos, A. Konstantinidou, & V. Tsilivakos. 2019. Improvement of sperm quality in hyperviscous semen following DNase I treatment. Int. J. Endocrinol. 29:6325169. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/6325169
NRC. 1977. Nutrient Requirements of Rabbits. National Research Council, Washington DC.
Nguyen, V. T. 2019. Recent production status, research results and development conditions of rabbit production in Vietnam - A review. CTU Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development 11:30-35. https://doi.org/10.22144/ctu.jen.2019.004
Ramu, S. & R. S. Jeyendran. 2013. The hypo-osmotic swelling test for evaluation of sperm membrane integrity. Methods Mol. Biol. 927:21–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-038-0_3
Roca, J., S. Mart´ınez, J. M. Vázquez, X. Lucas, I. Parrilla, & E. A. Mart´ınez. 2000. Viability and fertility of rabbit spermatozoa diluted in Tris-buffer extenders and stored at 15 °C. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 64:103-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00185-8
Ros, F., S. Offner, S. Klostermann, I. Thorey, H. Niersbach, S. Breuer, G. Zarnt, S. Lorenz, J. Puels, B. Siewe, N. Schueler, T. Dragicevic, D. Ostler, I. Hansen-Wester, V. Lifke, B. Kaluza, K. Kaluza, W. van Schooten, R. Buelow, A. C. Tissot, & J. Platzera. 2020. Rabbits transgenic for human IgG genes recapitulating rabbit B-cell biology to generate human antibodies of high specificity and affinity. Mabs 12:1846900. https://doi.org/10.1080/19420862.2020.1846900
Rosato, M. & N. Iaffaldano. 2011. Effect of chilling temperature on the long-term viability of rabbit spermatozoa held either in a tris-based or a jellified extender. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 46:301-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01667.x
Shuji, K. 2009. Improvement of Rabbit Production. In: Rabbit Biotechnology, Louis-Marie H, Jianglin F. (eds.), Springer, Netherlands. pp. 2-13.
Singh, M., R. T. Mollier, N. Pongener, & Ph. R. Sharma. 2021. Artificial insemination in pig for enhancing the pig productivity in North Eastern Hill region. Indian Farming 71:20-22.
Silagadze, D. 2022. Major challenges of agriculture. Georgian Scientists 4:145–153. https://doi.org/10.52340/gs.2022.04.02.11
Soliman, F. & K. El-Sabrout. 2020. Artificial insemination in rabbits: Factors that interfere in assessing its results. Journal Animal Behaviour Biometeorology 8:120-130. https://doi.org/10.31893/jabb.20016
Son, T. H., P. D. P. T. Hong, & P. P. Duy. 2020. Reproductive performance and factors affecting reproductive performance of YVN1 and YVN2 sows. Vietnam Journal Science Technology Engineering B. 62:54-58.
Thanh, N. V., P. T. Hang, P. V. Gioi, N. C. Toan, & S. T. Long. 2023. The relationship between plasma progesterone concentration on day 6 after artificial insemination and pregnancy rate of dairy cows in Vietnam. Trop. Anim. Sci. J. 46:146-150. https://doi.org/10.5398/tasj.2023.46.2.146
Tran, T. T. K., T. N. Chiem, V. B. N. Tran, & N. D. T. Duong. 2023. Cryopreservation of local black rabbit spermatozoa in the Mekong delta region of Vietnam: Evaluating cryoprotectant effectiveness. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 58:1139-1145. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.14415
Viudes-de-Castro, M. P., F. Marco-Jimenez, J. S. Vicente, & C. Marin. 2021. Antibacterial activity of some molecules added to rabbit semen extender as alternative to antibiotics. Animals 11:1178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041178
WHO. 2021. World Health Organization Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. 6th Ed.
Authors
KhuongT. T. T., LenH. V., & TrungT. T. (2024). Improving Rabbit Fertility: The Relationship Between Semen Dilution Rate and Artificial Insemination Effectiveness. Tropical Animal Science Journal, 47(1), 9-14. https://doi.org/10.5398/tasj.2024.47.1.9
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