Semen Characteristics of the West African Dwarf Rams in The Southern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria

Abstract

Studies were carried out on the semen characteristics of the West African Dwarf (WAD) rams in Makurdi. Semen samples were collected from five rams twice a week by electroejaculation method over a period of two months (September to October). The ejaculate volume, concentration, mass activity, progressive motility, the proportion of live/dead sperms, morphological normal sperms and the total sperm per ejaculate averaged 0.82 ± 0.05 ml, 0.57 ± 0.05 x 10⁹/ml, 4.19 ± 0.09, 70.12 ± 13.7%, 81.29 ± 2.37%, 92.30 ± 0.58% and 0.48 ± 0.05 x 10⁹ respectively. Spermatozoa abnormalities observed were: small heads, tapering heads, knobbed acrosome, detached heads, proximal cytoplasmic droplets, distal cytoplasmic droplets, bent midpiece, dag defect, coiled tails and bent tails. The percentage of morphological abnormal sperms (7.80±1.34%) was within the range for normal fertility. However, the semen volume and concentration appear to be lower in this breed in this environment. The correlations between body weight, scrotal circumference, sperm motility, sperm concentration, and sperm volume were positive, suggesting that body weight and scrotal circumference could be used to estimate semen quality in rams.