EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COLOURS AND DURATION ON SPERM VIABILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF RAM SEMEN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4833Keywords:
Semen, ram, light colours, light duration, sperm viabilityAbstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different light colours and duration on sperm viability of West African dwarf ram. A total of six West African dwarf rams were used for the experiment. The animals were reared under a semi-intensive management and fed with concentrates and Panicum maximum, with water given ad libitum. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina using a doe as a teaser. The collected semen were pooled together and divided into 5 graduated Eppendorf tube (2mL), placed in a box of 36.5cm x 31cm x 26cm (L × B × H). The light source was a 10w bulb of different colours which were positioned 20cm above the semen sample. With 0 hours as the control, the semen sample was exposed to light for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. The motility, livability, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity and abnormalities were evaluated. The results showed that different light colours have significant (p<0.05) effect on sperm livability and abnormality but not significant (p>0.05) in motility, acrosome and membrane integrity. Duration was observed to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in motility, livability, acrosome and membrane integrity but decreased after 2 hours. In conclusion, different light colours have no detrimental effect on sperm quality and semen collected and intended to be used for artificial insemination should be used at most within 2 hours of collection.