Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Effect of Storage on the Physico-Biochemical Characteristics and Fertility of Guinea Fowl Semen
Jag Mohan*, Javeed Maqbool Khanday, Ram Pratap Singh1, and Jagbir Singh Tyagi
Avian Physiology and Reproduction Division, Central Avian Research Institute, Izatnagar-243122, India, 1Avian Physiology and Genetics Division, Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Anaikatty-641108, Coimbatore, India
*Corresponding author: mohanjagjag@rediffmail.com,
ABSTRACT
Pooled semen samples from 30 adult and healthy guinea fowl (pearl variety) were collected and examined for their physico-biochemical characteristics and fertility at 0 hr (freshly ejaculated) vs 24 hr stored semen (3-5 0C). For both the storage conditions, semen samples were diluted in CARI diluent (1:1). Semen volume was found 0.048±0.002 ml. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in sperm motility was investigated after 24 hrs of storage of semen. A decline (P<0.05) in per cent live counts, linked with enhanced dead and morphologically abnormal spermatozoa were noticed in preserved semen. Per cent dead and abnormal sperm have been found to be negatively correlated with fertility. Sperm concentration was found 3.27 ± 0.14 × 109 cells per ml. Biochemical characteristics of guinea fowl seminal plasma revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in GOT activity and MBRT in stored (24 hrs) seminal plasma at low temperature (3-5 0C) when compared to fresh seminal plasma/semen. Profile of GPT activity was nearly similar in both the fresh and stored semen. No significant difference was noticed in ALP activity between fresh and preserved seminal plasma of guinea fowl. The cholesterol content was found 235±12.11 mg/dl and remained unchanged during preservation in the semen of guinea fowl. The content of glucose could not be detected in the seminal plasma of the guinea fowl. No variation was noticed in protein content in fresh vs stored seminal plasma. The pH of the fresh seminal plasma was found 7.15±0.01 and increased during storage condition. This study suggests that during liquid storage, quality of semen was deteriorated as evidenced by physico-biochemical characteristics and fertility of guinea fowl semen. Therefore, a guinea fowl species-specific semen diluent is to be developed to maintain good fertility during liquid storage of semen.
Key Words: Semen, Artificial insemination, Guinea fowl, Fertility.
