Punicalagin is beneficial for spermatogenesis in male New Zealand White rabbits

Taking into account that punicalagin (PUN) is a very powerful antioxidant; the current study evaluated the potential positive effects of oral PUN on spermatologic parameters of male New Zealand White rabbits. A total of 24 male bucks was housed individually and trained for semen collection. After the training for 2 wk, rabbits were assigned into 4 groups and received daily gavages of 0, 1, 2, and 10 mg/kg PUN in tap water for 9 wk. Semen was collected weekly from each rabbit and samples at d 1 and 63 of the experiment were analyzed separately. Initial values (ejaculate volume, ejaculate weight, ejaculate pH, sperm concentration, percent progressive motility, and seminal plasma protein levels) tested at d 1 were similar among the groups. There were also no differences in ejaculate volume, ejaculate weight, ejaculate pH and seminal plasma protein concentrations at the end of the experiment. Libido and reproductive organ weights were not affected by the treatments. However, sperm concentrations (P<0.01) and percent progressive motility (P<0.04) were significantly improved for bucks in 2 and 10 mg/kg PUN groups. Thus, the current study suggested that as low as 2 mg/kg/day PUN can be beneficial for spermatogenesis and motility in male rabbits.