EFFECT OF TYPE OF DILUENT, STORAGE AND DEPTH OF INSEMINATION ON THE FERTILITY OF CHILLED RAM SPERMATOZOA

Abstract

A total of 240 ewes were inseminated at the deep into the cervix with fresh or  chilled semen diluted in either Tris-Milk diluents. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the non-return rates between Tris and Tris-Milk diluents (32.5v 40.0% respectively) Chilled storage of the semen for 24h resulted in significant (P<0.001) decline in non-return rates from 47.5 40 29.5%. Non-return rates were however, significantly higher (P<0.001) following deep cervical insemnations than when insemnations were were done (40.0 v 24.2% respectively). They were also significantly higher (P<0.001) for fresh than chilled stored semen (41.7 v 22.5% respectively). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in lambing rates between  diluents (27.5 v 36.5% for Tris and Tris- Milk respectively.