Incorporation of fresh leaves of wormwood ( Artemisia herba alba) and/or rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis) in the diet of rams: Effect on testicular function, sexual behavior, and blood parameters

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of wormwood and rosemary supplementation on some reproductive traits of Barbarine rams. The experiment lasted 2 months. Twenty‐four adult rams were divided into four groups ( n = 6) balanced for the weight (53.3 ± 1.2 kg body weight [BW] ± SD). All rams received 1200 g of straw and 600 g of barley. Control rams (C) without aromatic medicinal plant (AMP), while experimental rams received 20 g of fresh rosemary leaves (R), 20 g of fresh wormwood leaves (A), and 10 g of fresh rosemary leaves plus 10 g of fresh wormwood leaves (RA). The results revealed that the live weight of all rams increased ( p < .05) in the RA group compared to the C, A, and R groups. Scrotal circumference increased in the R rams when compared to the controls rams ( p < .05). For sperm parameters we showed that the A rams had higher sperm concentrations ( p < .05). But, the sperm volume decreased in the R rams ( p > .05). However, when the rams received rosemary plus wormwood, their sperm volume increased ( p > .05). The sperm mass motility was higher for the A, R and AR rams in comparison to the C rams ( p = .05). On the other hand, biochemical analysis of the seminal fluid showed no effect of diets on calcium and total proteins concentration. But the measurement of glucose and seminal insulin showed a decrease ( p < .05) in these two biochemical markers in group A rams and a decrease ( p < .05) in insulin without modification of the glucose concentration in R rams. Blood glucose and insulin decreased in the animals on AMP diet compared to the other groups ( p < .05) while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) increased ( p < .05). Rosemary leaves (R and RA groups) increased ( p < .05) plasma cortisol compared to the other groups. It can be concluded that the addition of Rosmarinus officinalis and/or Artemisia herba alba in ram diet can have a positive effect on the reproductive function by increasing the concentration and motility of sperm, plasma testosterone, and sexual behavior.

Abstract

This study is part of the research that supports natural and ecological methods to improve reproductive performances and livestock productivity. In this paper we show that the consumption of small quantities of AMPs ( Artemisia herba alba and/or Rosmarinus officinalis), which are naturally abundant in the Mediterranean rangeland can present an opportunity to improve the productivity of ecological sheep farming by improving the performance and reproductive health of rams.