Effect of Rosemary Essential Oil Oral Supplementation on Testes Morphometric Measures, Accessory Genital Glands, and Semen Parameters in the Barki Rams

Abstract

Abstract The present study investigated the effect of the Rosemary essential oil oral Supplementation on the development of the reproductive organs, including morphometric measures, accessory genital gland, and semen quality in Barki rams. Sixty rams were randomly divided into two equal groups; control (G1) and Rosemary essential oil (G2), treated with 2 mg/Kg of body weight per day for 45 days treated group. Ultrasonographic measurements and blood sampling were performed on days 15, 30, and 45 of the treatment, and semen samples were collected twice a week after 15 days for quantitative and qualitative analysis. The results showed a significant increase in the testicular parameter measures and epididymal tail in the Rosemary group than in the control group. However, the seminal vesicle, Cowper's, and prostate glands showed the highest development on day 45 of the treatment. Although there was a significant increase in the ejaculate volume (ml), individual motility (%), and sperm cell concentration (x109/ml) in Rosemary treated group than the control group; there was no significant improvement (P > 0.01) in the alive spermatozoa (%). Furthermore, the treatment showed a positive effect on testosterone levels, testicular measures, epididymal tail, accessory genital gland, individual sperm motility, and viability. The present result revealed that oral supplementation with Rosemary essential oil might improve testicular parameters, accessory genital glands, and semen quality.