Haematology, testosterone profile and spermiogram of Nigerian indigenous domestic mallard drakes (Anas platyrhynchos) raised in Ibadan

Abstract

The present study was aimed at characterizing the blood, hormone and spermiogram profiles of five adult local breed of Mallard drakes which were obtained from a local farmer. Each drake was examined to be free from diseases or deformity, stabilized and managed intensively during the study period. Semen was obtained by cloacal massage technique The mean body weight of the drakes was 1.44±0.11kg. The average Packed Cell Volume (PCV) was 34.2±2.06% while the serum testosterone level was 1.95±0.0289nmol^-1. Haemoglobin concentration and Red Blood Cell (RBC) count were 10.9±0.66 g/dl and 3.27±0.02 X 10¹² cells, respectively. Total leucocyte count and platelet value were 16.020±1.441x10⁶/L and 14.48±1.95 x 10⁴ cells/L, respectively. The percentage motility, liveability, and sperm concentration were 84.38±1.75%, 93.88±1.22%, and 1.29±0.05 x 10⁹, respectively, while spermatozoa morphological defects was 6.02%. The bent head defect was the most observed sperm morphological abnormality being 33% of the total spermatozoa abnormality from the ejaculated semen. This study provides a baseline data on some aspects of the haematological profile and the reproductive biology of Mallard drakes in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Keywords: Mallard drakes, Cloacal massage Spermatozoa, Morphological defects