Yasser Alrauji

This study evaluated the effects of heat stress on productive performance, physiology, reproduction, and oxidative status in pregnant New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does, as well as the potential synergistic effects of curcumin and vitamin D3 (Cur + VD₃) supplementation in alleviating these stress-induced impairments. Eighty multiparous does (12–18 months old) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design involving two ambient temperatures (indoor vs. outdoor) and two supplementation levels (with or without Cur + VD₃). Outdoor does experienced severe heat stress (THI = 33.22) compared to indoor thermal comfort conditions (THI = 25.13). The supplement (Cur + VD₃) was administered orally at 1 mL/kg body weight. Heat stress significantly decreased body weight, milk yield, litter size, weight at weaning, and behavioral activity. Conversely, rectal temperature, respiration rate, and mortality increased. Supplementation with Cur + VD₃ showed improved body weight, reproductive parameters, milk yield, and behavior, while reducing mortality (0% vs. 5%) compared to treatment without these additives. Physiologically, Cur + VD₃ lowered rectal temperature and respiration rate. In conclusion, combined curcumin and vitamin D₃ supplementation is an effective nutritional strategy to improve heat stress tolerance and maintain productivity in pregnant rabbits exposed to high ambient temperatures.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary nano-selenium (Se-NP), nano-zinc (Zn-NP), and their combination, on the performance of Ossimi ewes and their offspring. Twenty-eight pregnant Ossimi ewes were randomly allotted to one of four equal experimental groups. The ewes were fed a basal diet with the addition of 0.3 mg selenium nanoparticles (Se-NP), 30 mg zinc (Zn-NP), or 0.3 mg Se-NP plus 30 mg Zn-NP (SZ-NP)/kg DM. The results showed that nutrient digestibility, nutritive values, milk yield, and fat corrected milk, as well as milk constituents yields, were improved (p < 0.05) for ewes fed Se-NP, Zn-NP, or SZ-NP vs. the control one. As well, lambs’ birth weight, final body weight, and average daily gain were increased (p < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin G, total protein, albumin, globulin, and glucose values were higher (p < 0.05); however, serum cholesterol level tended to be decreased. Ewes and their respective lambs in the Se-NP, Zn-NP, or SZ-NP groups had lower (p < 0.05) urea concentrations and liver enzyme activity than the control. Thyroid hormones, total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase activity were higher (p < 0.05) in the Se-NP-, Zn-NP-, or SZ-NP-fed groups. This improvement was accompanied by favored growth performance, immune function, and overall health in their suckling lambs, with selenium being more effective than zinc. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of selenium, zinc nanoparticles, or their combination can be an effective strategy to enhance productivity and health in ewes and their offspring.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding different levels of punicalagin or oleuropein to TRIS diluent on the quality of frozen–thawed semen from Najdi rams. Semen was diluted using TRIS-based diluter with 15% egg yolk (control group); supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, or 1 mg/100 mL punicalagin (in Experiment 1); or supplemented with 1, 2.5, or 5 mg/100 mL oleuropein (in Experiment 2). The collected semen was evaluated and cryopreserved, with the motility and concentration of sperm assessed using a CASA system. The results showed that the total motile spermatozoa (TMS), percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa (PMS), curvilinear velocity (VCL), rectilinear velocity, average path velocity (VAP), linearity coefficient, straightness index, minor defects, and sperm vitality were higher in the 0.1 mg/100 mL punicalagin group (p < 0.05) than in other groups. HOST% post-thawing was significantly higher in all punicalagin groups compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The percentages of PMS, TMS, VCL, minor defects, and sperm vitality were higher in the 1 mg/100 mL oleuropein group (p < 0.05) than in other groups. Oleuropein supplementation at 5 mg/100 mL decreased VAP in cooled sperms, while all levels increased VAP post-thawing. HOST-positive sperms% post-thawing was higher in all oleuropein-treated groups than the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, oleuropein nonsignificantly increased the acrosome integrity in cooled sperms, while higher studied concentrations of oleuropein (2.5 and 5 mg/100 mL) decreased the acrosome integrity in frozen sperms. In conclusion, adding punicalagin (0.1 mg/100 mL) or oleuropein (1 mg/100 mL) to TRIS diluent improved the quality of frozen–thawed semen from rams.