SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS AND SPERM ABNORMALITIES OF EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS RABBITS IN THE SUB-HUMID TROPICS OF NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the semen characteristics and incidence of sperm abnormalities in exotic (ER) and indigenous (IR) rabbits in the sub-humid tropics of northern Nigeria. Rabbits comprising ER (n=5) and IR, n=5) were subjected to once weekly semen collection regiment for five weeks. Semen samples were evaluated for volume, colour, pH, spermatozoa concentration, percent live and motility. Spermatozoa abnormalities (detached head, free tail, bent tail, coiled tail) were evaluated. Semen volume was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the ER than IR being 0.6 ml ± 0.16 and 0.32 ml± 0.08, respectively. Semen colour, spermatozoa motility, percent live cells and normal cells did not differ between ER and IR. Spermatozoa concentration was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the ER (211 x 10±27.15) than in IR (67 x10° 27.64). Overall, higher incidence of sperm abnormities were observed in ER than in IR, although not significantly. It was concluded that semen of ER and IR in the ab-humid tropics of northern Nigeria show similarities except for semen volume and spermatozoa concentration which was higher in the ER.