Effect of nanomoringa and nanocurcumin supplementation on reproductive performance and antioxidant status of rabbit bucks

Recently, the use of phytotherapy has gained growing interest as a natural enhancer of male fertility in rabbits. In particular, Moringa oleifera and Curcuma longa (curcumin) are rich in antioxidants and bioactive compounds that may support reproductive performance. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the potential effect of daily oral supplementation of nano-formulated moringa and curcumin on improving semen quality (including fresh, chilled and frozen semen), testosterone levels in both serum and seminal plasma, antioxidants status and lipid peroxidation, and fertilising ability in rabbit bucks. Thirty mature male New Zealand White rabbits (aged 6-7 mo) were randomly allocated into three groups (10 bucks in each): G1(control group), G2 (nanocurcumin group; received 15 mg/buck), G3 (nanomoringa group; received 30 mg/ buck). All bucks were orally supplemented with the respective treatments daily for 10 wk. In addition, 120 multiparous female rabbits were also divided into three groups, each corresponding to one of the male groups, with 40 females per group. Twenty were inseminated with chilled semen and the other twenty were inseminated with frozen semen from the same male group. Semen samples were collected once at fortnightly intervals for the 10-wk period to assess semen quality and antioxidant status, and serum testosterone levels were measured at the same intervals. The results indicated highly significant (P<0.0001) improvements in fresh semen parameters, including semen volume (0.45 vs. 0.59 and 0.57 mL, for G1, G2 and G3, respectively), mass motility and progressive motility, sperm count and total sperm output/ejaculate in both treated groups compared to the control. For instance, sperm count nearly doubled (293 vs. 495 and 512×106/mL) and membrane integrity improved by approximately 30%. Both treatments also significantly (P<0.05) elevated testosterone levels in serum and seminal plasma compared to the control group. Fertilising ability using chilled or frozen semen was enhanced in the treated groups, along with improved antioxidant status. Moreover, both treatments significantly (P<0.0001) reduced abnormal sperm morphology and malondialdehyde concentration in semen. Based on these findings, daily oral administration of nanocurcumin (15 mg/buck) and nanomoringa (30 mg/buck) for 10 wk appears to be a promising strategy for enhancing fertility in rabbit bucks (pregnancy rate, kindling rate, total born/doe), primarily through antioxidant-mediated improvements in testicular and seminal functions, providing the first evidence of their innovative potential as reproductive nano-nutraceuticals.