Effect of Frequency of Ejaculation on Semen Characteristics of Heavy Ecotype Chicken Raised in Derived Savannah Region of Nigeria

ABSTRACT Effect of frequency of ejaculation on semen characteristics of heavy ecotype chicken raised in the derived savannah region of Nigeria was studied using twelve heavy ecotype cocks. The cocks were randomly assigned to three treatments with four cocks in each treatment. Ejaculation frequencies once, twice and thrice per week, with T1 representing once, T2, twice and T3, thrice were imposed on the birds. The experiment lasted for a period of eight weeks with a two-week pre-experimental period during which cocks were trained for semen collection and six weeks of semen collection schedule. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum during the experiment. Semen collected were analysed for volume, progressive sperm motility, percentage live and dead spermatozoa, percentage normal and abnormal sperm cells, sperm concentration and total sperm in the ejaculate. Result showed that ejaculate volume and total sperm in the ejaculate were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the ejaculation frequencies while progressive sperm motility, percentage live and dead sperm cells, percentage normal and abnormal sperm cells and sperm concentration were all significantly (p

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - iv

Table of Contents - - - - - - - - v

List of Tables - - - - - - - - - viii

Abstract - - - - -- - - - - ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background- - - - - - - - - 1

1.1. Objective of the Study - - - - - - - 1

1.2. Justification of the Study - - - - - - - 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0. Evolution of Domestic Fowl - - -- - -- - 4

2.1. Anatomy of Cocks - - - - - -- - 4

2.2. Physiology of Sperm Production - - -- - - - 6

2.3. Functions of Accessory Sex Glands in Cockerel- - - - 7

2.4. Cockerel Semen Composition - - - - - - 7

2.5. Semen Quality - - - - - - - - 8

2.6. Factors Affecting Semen Production - - - - - 9

2.6.1. Season - - - - - - - - - 9

2.6.2. Ambient Temperature - - - - - - - 10

2.6.3. Photoperiod or Daylight Length - - - - - 11

2.6.4. Nutrition - - - - - - - - 11

2.6.5. Disease - - - - - - - - 12

2.6.6. Body Weight of Cockerel - - - - - - 12

vi

2.7. Semen Collection- - - - - - - - 13

2.7.1. Co-operative Approach- - - - - - - 13

2.7.2. Abdominal Massage Technique - - - - - 14

2.7.3. Electro-Ejaculation - - - - - - - 15

2.8. General Evaluation - - - - - - - 17

2.8.1. Semen Colour - - - - - - - - 17

2.8.2. Cockerel Ejaculate Volume- - - - - - - 17

2.8.2.0 Factors That Affect Cockerel Ejaculate Volume - - - 18

2.8.2.1 Species and Breed - - - - - - - 18

2.8.2.2. Nutrition - - - - - - - - 18

2.8.2.3. Age, Frequency and Technique of Semen Collection - - 19

2.8.2.4. Season and Temperature - - - - - - 19

2.8.3. Sperm Motility - - - - - - - - 20

2.8.4. Semen Concentration - - - - - - - 21

2.8.5. Sperm Morphology - - - - - - - 22

2.8.6. Live and Dead Sperm - - - - - - - 23

2.9. Factors Affecting Cockerel Semen Quality Post Ejaculation - - 24

2.9.1. Ambient Temperature - - - - - - - 24

2.9.2. Semen Osmotic Pressure - - - - - - 24

2.9.3. Concentration of Sperm per Ejaculate - - - - - 24

2.9.4. Antimicrobial Agents - - - - - - - 25

2.9.5. Cockerel Semen pH - - - - - - - 25

2.9.6. Gonadotrophic Hormone - - - - - - 26

2.9.7. Gases - - - - - - - - - 26

2.9.8. Photoperiod - - - - - - - - 26

vii

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.0. Location of the Experiment - - - - - - 27

3.1. Management of Experimental Birds - - - - - 27

3.2. Experimental Design - - - - - - 28

3.3. Data Collection - - - - - - - 28

3.4 Data Evaluation - - - - - - - - 30

3.4.1. Semen Colour - - - - - - - - 30

3.4.2. Semen Volume - - - - - - - - 30

3.4.3. Progressive Motility - - - - - - - 30

3.4.4. Percentage Live and Dead, Normal and Abnormal Spermatozoa -` 30

3.4.5. Sperm Concentration and Total Sperm per Ejaculate - - - 31

3.5. Data Analysis - - - - - - - - 31

3.6. Statistical Model - - - - - - - - 32

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION - - - 33

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION- - 37

References