Semen quality and physicochemical traits in rabbit breeds for artificial insemination in Vietnam

Qualidade do sêmen e características físico-químicas em raças de coelhos para inseminação artificial no Vietnã

Resumo

This study evaluated semen quality and physicochemical properties in five rabbit breeds commonly raised in Vietnam to identify suitable candidates for artificial insemination and genetic improvement. A total of 220 ejaculates were collected over one month from 25 healthy bucks (10–15 months old), including Flemish Giant, California, Angora, New Zealand, and French Lop (five males per breed). The Flemish Giant exhibited the best reproductive traits, with the highest semen volume (1.04 ± 0.15 ml), sperm concentration (3.02 ± 0.15 × 10⁹/ml), straight-line velocity (50.06 ± 1.37 µm/s), and beat cross frequency (11.04 ± 1.15 Hz). It also had superior osmotic pressure (398.24 ± 7.02 mOsm/kg), buffering capacity (1264.17 ± 23.67), and density (1.05 ± 0.02). In contrast, French Lop bucks recorded the lowest semen volume (0.82 ± 0.12 ml), concentration (2.32 ± 0.11 × 10⁹/ml), and osmotic pressure (313.98 ± 3.91 mOsm/kg), though they showed the lowest proportion of abnormal sperm (9.27 ± 0.91%). Angora, California, and New Zealand rabbits presented intermediate values, with stable semen quality across most traits. These results highlight the Flemish Giant as the most promising breed for breeding programs, while providing a scientific basis for semen preservation strategies and artificial insemination in rabbit production under Vietnamese conditions.