Antibacterial Potential of Aqueous Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Leaf on Spermatozoa Quality in Extended Porcine Semen

Abstract

This study investigated the antibacterial potential of aqueous extract of neem leaf on spermatozoa quality in extended porcine semen . Fresh semen was collected from a mature and intact boar using the glove-hand technique.The collected semen was diluted and allotted to six treatments with three replicates per treatment and evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 hours of refrigeration at 17 0C. Semen quality parameters evaluated were; progressive motility (%), morphology (%),The inclusion of aqueous neem leaf extracts (ANLE) in boar semen up to 48 hours of refrigeration gave mean values which fall within an acceptable range of normal values indicative of good semen quality for all semen quality parameters. At 48 hours, significant difference (p<0.05) in motility was observed across the treatments with Treatment 1 giving the highest mean value (84.67 ± 2.40) and Treatment 6 (100% ANLE) giving the least value (70.00 ± 0.00). At 48 hours, significant difference (p<0.05) in morphology was also observed across the treatments with Treatment 1 having the highest mean value. Treatment 2 and Treatment 3 (25 % ANLE), though with a significant difference between the means gave the closest mean values (81.33 ± 0.67 and 79.33 ± 0.33 respectively) to Treatment 1 (82.00 ± 1.00). These findings suggest that 25 % of ANLE can be used in boar semen extension up to 48 hours of storage (17 °C).