Effects of dietary supplementation with linseed and Padina pavonica algae extract on semen quality and tissue fatty acid metabolism in rabbit bucks

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with 5% extruded linseed, with or without 0.2% Padina pavonica algae extract, on semen quality and fatty acid metabolism in rabbit bucks. Forty-five New Zealand White rabbit bucks were divided into three groups (15 per diet) and fed for 120 days either a control diet (C), a diet supplemented with 5% linseed (L), or a linseed diet plus 0.2% algae extract (LPP). The semen characteristics, the fatty acid composition of blood, liver, and testis, and estimated indexes of lipid metabolism were assessed. The results showed that the use of linseed in both L and LPP diets had a significant effect on some semen traits (concentration, progressive motility, linearity, amplitude of lateral head displacement, beat cross frequency, acrosome reacted/capacitated sperm) compared to C group. In the tissues analysed, significant effects were observed only in relation to the linseed administration. In conclusion, while linseed positively influenced sperm quality and lipid composition of tissues, the Padina pavonica extract had only a minor effect, limited to hepatic DHA level.