Effect of fructose addition in skim milk based extender on semen quality and fertility in white leghorn chicken

Abstract

This experiment is designed to study the effect of fructose addition as energy source in skim milk extender on the quality fertility of white leghorn's spermatozoa stored at 4 °C. The treatments (T) in semen quality experiment were Tl (0% fructose + Modified Ringers Solution (MRS), T2 (5mM fructose + 1 % (w/v) skim milk +MRS), T3 (lOmM fructose + 1 % (w/v) skim milk +MRS), T4 (15mM fructose + 1 % (w/v) skim milk +MRS). In this experiment motility, morphology and in vitro sperm viability were examined at the 4'\ 8'\ and 12'h hour of storage representing four treatments each with three replications in 3X4 Factorial Completely Randomized Design. For the purpose of AI the semen is treated with Tl for immediate insemination within 30 minutes, with T2, T3 and T4 inseminated after 4 hours of storage and 360 eggs were incubated and examined for fertility, EM and hatchability. The result of this study indicates that semen characteristics of milky white color, mean volume of 0.36ml per ejaculation/rooster, mean pH of 7.2 and 5500Xl06/ml mean concentration. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in sperm motility, morphology and in vitro viability in all fructose concentrations or control. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in fertility and hatchability between semen of different levels of fructose or control inseminated after 4 hours of storage at 4°C. There was no significant difference in Early, mid and late EM (EEM, MEM and L EM) between semen of different levels of fructose or control inseminated after 4 hours of storage at 4°C.

Keywords: Artificial Insemination, Fertility, Embryo, Hatchability, Semen, Skim milk