Effect of feeding dried olive (Olea europaea) leaves on the reproductive parameters of Awassi rams

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of feeding adult Awassi rams different ratio of dried olive leaves on the reproductive parameters during seven weeks during the breeding season. Three groups of Awassi rams were fed for twelve weeks either a conventional wheat straw-concentrate ration (Control) or experimental rations where 30% (G1) and 60% (G2) of the wheat straw were replaced with dried olive leaves. Animals were fed the same amounts of crude protein and metabolizable energy daily. Results indicated that with the exception of scrotal circumference, no significant (p>0.05) responses were noted for testosterone level, body weight, semen volume, sperm concentration or semen pH values between the tested groups. Analysis of motility characteristics of sperm by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) technique showed no significant differences (p>0.05) between the three groups in the percent motility, percent of sperm showing progressive motility, average path velocity, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, percent straightness and percent linearity. It could be concluded that feeding Awassi rams dried olive leaves even at the 60% level did not affect the reproductive characteristics of the Awassi rams and therefore could be used as supplement sources of feeds for small ruminants.