Effects of Lepidium sativum Seed on Reproductive Characteristics in Rabbit Bucks

Lepidium sativum (LS) has been documented to possess numerous properties but little is known as regards its mechanism on male reproductive features which the study aimed to clarify by evaluating its effects on luteinizing hormone, testosterone, sperm characteristics, and histology of reproductive organs in rabbit bucks. Twenty mature, intact bucks were randomly assigned into four treatment groups and fed either normal rabbit feed or diets containing LS seeds powder at varying levels for 63 days. Blood samples were collected from each rabbit weekly to determine LH and testosterone levels. Semen was collected three times for evaluation of sperm characteristics; weight and histological examination of reproductive organs were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Inclusion of LS seed in the feed of rabbit bucks significantly increased plasma LH concentrations in a bimodal dose-dependent manner with no significant difference in the levels of testosterone. Percentage motility and live sperm percent were significantly reduced in all rabbits fed LS based diet while the control rabbits showed an increasing pattern in percentage motility and live sperm. Sperm abnormality percent was significantly increased in all rabbits in LS dose-dependent manner. There were no significant effects of LS on the relative weights of all bucks accessory glands but significantly affected the relative weights of paired testis and caudal epididymis. Marked alterations in the testis were also noted. The findings suggest that mechanism underlying the effects of LS seed on reproduction is mediated through multiples pathways which depend greatly on the amount of LS seed ingested.