Pomegranate peel as a natural antioxidant boosts bucks' fertility under Egyptian summer conditions

Abstract

Exposure of male rabbits to heat stress during summer adversely affects their fertility, leading to major production losses. A total of 16 male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups exposed to temperatures ranging from a high of 30.3 to a low of 27.3 °C. Animals from first to fourth groups were fed diets containing 0, 1.5, 3.0, or 4.5% pomegranate peel (PP) to evaluate the ability of PP feeding to enhance bucks' reproductive status. Pomegranate peel treatments significantly increased ejaculate volume by 19, 18 and 12%, increased seminal plasma fructose by 7, 18, and 24%, improved sperm motility by 28, 34 and 49%, increased sperm total output by 37, 69 and 102% and reduced dead sperm by 24, 32 and 64% with diets containing 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% of PP compared to the heat stressed control animals. Seminal plasma total lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides increased while alkaline phosphatase decreased with PP treatments. Seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity increased to reach 126, 143 and 191% with diets containing 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5% of PP, while lipid peroxide (malondialdehyde) levels decreased significantly to reach around 54% of the heat stressed bucks' value with the three PP dietary doses used. It was concluded that supplementations of PP in the diet of bucks during summer season in Egypt can improve their semen characteristics, probably due to their antioxidant actions.

Protective effects of pomegranate peel against hematotoxicity, chromosomal aberrations, and genotoxicity induced by barium chloride in adult rats

“…Also, previous findings have noted that pomegranate containing polyphenols suppresses the growth of cancer cells by interfering with its genetic factors leading to death (Abdou et al 2012). Phenylpropanoids, hydrobenzoic asides, flavones, and conjugated fatty acids which are present in the pomegranate juice can inhibit a specific protein found in bone marrow, responsible for bone cancer (Zeweil et al 2013). …”

The Effect of Lyophilized Pomegranate Extract on Epididymal Sperm Quality, Oxidative Stress and Spermatogenic Cell Density in Rabbits

“…Zeweil et al (2013) showed in male rats exposed to temperature stress that, different concentrations of pomegranate peel extract added to diets of rats for 8 weeks increased sperm count, sperm motility and the amount of fructose in seminal plasma, while the rate of dead spermatozoon was decreased. Guo et al (2008) stated that as pomegranate juice is consumed, plasma antioxidant capacity rises.…”

Rabbit production in low-input systems in Africa: situation, knowledge and perspectives – A review

“…Other resources including the use of palm kernel cake (PKC), which is relatively cheap and available across seasons in some parts of SSA. The nutritive value of some of these available leguminous plants has been evaluated in rabbits (as Pueraria phaseoloides; Akoutey et al, 2012), and potential natural antioxidants have been studied to alleviate heat stress in these regions (as pomegranate peel; Zeweil et al, 2013). Orunmuyi et al (2006) reported that PKC can be used up to 30% in a maize-soybean meal-based diet for weaner rabbits.…”