EFFECT OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE TECHNIQUES ON REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY OF HEAT STRESSED RAMS | ||||
| Journal of the Egyptian Veterinary Medical Association | ||||
| Volume 79, Issue 2, June 2019, Page 426-441 PDF (526.19 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Research Articles | ||||
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| Abstract | ||||
| Heat stress is an important factor that affects sperm production and viability. Rams may be completely sterile or show lower fertility during late summer as a result of the heat stress. Acupuncture has recently been used in the management of subfertility and assisted reproduction. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) techniques on sperm parameters of heat stressed rams. Twelve mature, healthy rams (14-18 months age),were divided into 3 groups randomly (4 rams in each). Group (1) served as control, Group (2) Acupuncture group, insertion of fine needles into specific points in the skin acupoints, by specific needles. Group (3) Electro acupuncture (EA) group, applying specific electric current for more stimulation to the same acupoints during treating period (three times/week for 2 months). The body weight of ram was recorded before treatment and every 2 weeks then after. Semen and blood samples were collected from all animals.Semen evaluation, testosterone hormone, cholesterol and total antioxidant were measured. The obtained results showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in testosterone levels, total antioxidant in group (3) compared with group (1). While rams body weight, cholesterol levels showed non-significant difference. Regarding semen quality, results showed significant improvement (P<0.05) in semen volume, semen concentration, individual motility and non-significant increase in live spermatozoa in group (3) compared with Group (1) and significant decrease (P<0.05) in sperm abnormalities in group (3) compared with group (1). In conclusion the EA manipulation can be used for improvement of semen quality and quantity in heat stressed rams | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Electro acupuncture; heat stress; TCM; semen quality; ram; testosterone hormone | ||||
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