Variations in conventional and non-conventional semen characteristics of selected rabbit breeds

This article strove to characterize and compare biochemical, oxidative, bacteriological and immunological semen properties in Zemplin, Liptov Baldspotted and New Zealand rabbits. Besides, bacteria were characterized using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Oxidative profile of semen was assessed using chemiluminescent and colorimetric protocols. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Seminal plasma biochemistry was assessed with an automated clinical chemistry analyser. The lowest sperm concentration and motility were found in the Liptov Baldspotted ejaculates which also presented with significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.01) elevated levels of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1, free radicals (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and malondialdehyde (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) in comparison to New Zealand rabbits. The prevailing bacterial genera in semen were <i>Stenotrophomonas</i> spp., <i>Staphylococcus</i> spp., <i>Micrococcus</i> spp. and <i>Acinetobacter</i> spp. Significantly increased levels of alanine transaminase and creatinine (Crea) were found in New Zealand rabbits in comparison to the Liptov Baldspotted breed (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Overall, Liptov Baldspotted rabbits produced semen of lower quality than Zemplin and New Zealand rabbits, suggesting that this breed may be more predisposed to a higher susceptibility to internal and external stresses which may interfere with male fertility.