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| Effect of Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Semen Quality and Spermatogenic Function in Male Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) |
| GAO Cheng-Fang1, LIU Ming1, SUN Shi-Kun1, YAN Xian-Feng2, CHEN Dong-Jin1, WANG Jin-Xiang1, SANG Lei1,* |
1 Fujian Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Fuzhou 350013, China;
2 Shandong Animal Husbandry Station (Shandong Provincial Breeding Animal and Poultry Quality Testing Station), Jinan 250100, China |
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Abstract Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenous liposoluble antioxidant that exerts protective effects on the male reproductive system. To investigate the effects of dietary CoQ10 supplementation on semen quality and spermatogenic function in male rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), 50 adult male Minxinan Black rabbits were used in this study. Different concentrations (0, 30, 60, 120, 240 mg/kg diet) of CoQ10 were added to their daily diet. Parameters assessed included semen quality, hormone levels, testicular histomorphology, antioxidant capacity, and the mRNA expression levels of functional genes (c-KIT, GFRα1, PLZF, Bax, Bcl2, and Caspase-3), as well as the protein expression levels of p-Akt and Akt. The results showed that, compared with the control group, CoQ10 supplementation led to an increasing trend in sperm motility and motion parameters. Specifically in the 120 mg/kg group, ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total motility, progressive motility, straight-line velocity, and average path velocity significantly increased (P<0.05). The transverse and longitudinal diameters of the left testes were also significantly increased (P<0.05), while the testicular index and the transverse and longitudinal diameters of the right testis showed no significant changes. In terms of histomorphology, the number of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium were significantly increased (P<0.05), whereas the area of seminiferous tubule tissue, tubule diameter, and spermatogonial density showed no significant changes. With increasing CoQ10 supplementation, FSH and LH levels gradually decreased, while inhibin B levels gradually increased, with significant differences among all groups (P<0.05). Regarding immune parameters, the levels of IgA and IgM were significantly increased in the 240 mg/kg supplementation group (P<0.05), while IgG levels showed no significant difference among groups. In terms of antioxidant capacity, the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC, and CAT were significantly increased at 120 and 240 mg/kg CoQ10 supplementation (P<0.05), while MDA content was significantly decreased at 240 mg/kg (P<0.05). Regarding gene expression, Bax expression was significantly reduced (P<0.05), while Bcl2 expression and the Bcl2/Bax ratio were significantly increased (P<0.05). The expression levels of GFRα1 and PLZF showed no significant changes among groups, whereas c-KIT expression was significantly lower in the 240 mg/kg supplementation group compared with the control group (P<0.05). The protein expression level of p-Akt was significantly increased (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 120 mg/kg CoQ10 enhanced the antioxidant capacity of the testes, improved histomorphology and spermatogenic function, optimized hormone levels, and reduced apoptosis in male Minxinan Black rabbits, thereby improving sperm motility and motion parameters. This study not only provides an effective nutritional intervention strategy to alleviate semen quality issues in local rabbit breeds resulting from long-term lack of selective breeding but also offers theoretical basis and practical reference for the conservation of reproductive capacity and germplasm improvement of other local livestock and poultry genetic resources.
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Received: 21 April 2026
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| Fund:山东省重点研发计划(2025LZGC045); 福建省农业科学院对外合作项目(DWHZ2026-02); 国家特色家畜产业技术体系福州(兔)综合试验站(CARS-43-D-5); 福建省科技计划公益类专项(2023R1024008; 2025R1070; 2026R11030070) |
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Corresponding Authors:
*Sanglei1981@163.com
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