Effect of Borassus aethiopum extract as a biological extender on semen characteristics, fertility and hatchability in chickens
Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria (1,2,3,4,5)
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria (6,7)
Borassus aethiopumextract as a biological extender was evaluated on semen quality, fertility and hatchability in chickens under conditions of warm preservation at 37oC. The extenders were prepared in 1:5 and 1:10 ratios (extract to normal saline) and preserved for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours respectively in a factorial design layout. There was no significant (p>0.05) effect of the extender on semen characteristics within 2 hours of preservation. However, motility (%) was significantly (p<0.05) reduced when the semen was preserved for more than 2 hours. Interactions between the extender ratios and the period of preservation were significant (p<0.05) for motility (%), dead and abnormal cells. Motility (%) was insignificantly (p>0.05) higher in the extender of 1:10 than in the extender of 1:5 and it was above 70%. Using the extender of 1:10 in the fertility and hatchability trial in a completely randomized design layout showed that fertility decreased, 95% in the 0-hour treatment to 73% in the 4-hour treatment while hatchability decreased from 71.4% in the 0-hour treatment to 61.5% in the 4-hour treatment. It may be concluded that the Borassus aethiopum extract could be used to extend and preserve the semen of chickens for 3 hours providing good fertility and hatchability of eggs.