ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted to determine
semen quality, fertility, egg hatchability and some biochemical parameters in
Nigerian local turkey toms fed diets containing Moringa oleifera (MO),
Gongronema latifolium (GL) leaf meals and their combinations. A total of 72
Nigerian local turkeys comprising of 54 males and 18 females were used for the
study. The males were randomly divided into 9 treatment groups, each treatment
was replicated 3 times with 2 toms per replicate. The treatment diets were
given only to the toms, starting from three month of age through the
experimental period. The experimental animals were fed and given water
properly, twice a day without restriction. All the management practices were
carried out to the best of ability. The males in all the treatment groups were
weighed weekly to determine their daily and weekly body weight gain. At 26
weeks of age, toms were trained for semen collection, and 32 weeks of age,
semen was collected using abdominal massages. Samples were analyzed for colour,
volume, progressive motility, sperm concentration, viability and sperm
morphology. Fresh semen sample were also collected per treatment in vials’
stored in ice block and analyzed for fructose, Na and K. A total of 18 hens
were randomly shared 2 per treatment corresponding to the 9 treatments. Pooled
Semen from each treatment was used to inseminate the hens twice a week at the
beginning of egg lay and once a week subsequently. A total of 225 eggs were
collected and incubated in weekly batches, analyzed for fertility and
hatchability. The result revealed that M. oleifera and G. latifolium leaf meals
had significant (P<0.05) effects on the semen quality parameters measured.
M. oleifera fed tom at 3kg yielded the best result: ejaculate volume 0.58ml,
motility= 92.93%, Conc.= 4.82(x10/ml 9), live sperm= 94.13%, normal
sperm 91.38% and corresponding lower values for percentage dead and abnormal
sperm. While, G. latifolium treated toms had a lower value for their semen
quality parameters when compared with the control group. Interaction effects of
M. oleifera and G. latifolium leaf meals were significantly (P<0.05)
different. Compared with control semen quality traits were higher at
3kgMO+1.5kgGL inclusion, lower at 1.5kgMO + 1.5kgGL, and significantly reduced
semen quality of toms fed 1.5kgMO+ 3kgGL diets. Similarly, the percent fertile
eggs, and percent hatched eggs were greatly improved at 3kgMO diets with
corresponding decrease in percent infertile eggs and dead in shell embryos than
the control. However, toms fed diet at 1.5kgGL and 3kgGL had their values for
these parameters being severely reduced. Hatchability values increased to
88.39% and 83.33% at 3kg MO+1.5kgGL and 3kg MO+3kgGL respectively with a
decrease in percent dead- in-shell embryos to 16.99% and 19.12% respectively.
Seminal fructose concentration (mg/100ml) was significantly (P<0.05)
increased (5.86+2.76) at 3kgGL when compared with the control, but M.
oleifera had a negligible increase in fructose concentration. However, M.
oleifera fed toms (3kg) had a significant(P<0.05) increase in concentration
of Na and K (0.39 and 0.35) respectively. These result suggest that improved
fertility, eggs hatchability and reduction in percent embryo mortality can be
achieved using M. oleifera at 3kg/100kg diet and combination of M. oleifera+G.
latifolium at rate of 3kgMO+1.5kgGL, but treatment with G.latifolium at the
rate of 1.5kg, 3kg and combination at rate of 1.5kgMO +3kgGL caused reduced
fertility in local Nigerian turkey.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
of the study
In Nigeria, poultry industry is
once again experiencing growth due to the current regime’s effort at
encouraging investments in the industry through several economic and
agricultural policies and reforms including removal of import duties on
agricultural products (Fasina et
al., 2007). Notwithstanding, the current trend in growth
within the industry it is still experiencing
challenges as some species of poultry are left out. For instance, turkey
production has not been as successful as chicken production in Nigeria. Its
production is largely at the small holder level. This has been attributed to
high cost of feed, inconsistencies in feeding program as well as lack of
information on its nutritional requirements (Ojewola et
al., 2002). Also, reproductive problems experienced under
natural mating conditions, low fertility
and poor hatchability as a result of poor quality semen due to oxidative stress
amongst other factors (Bucak et al.,
2010) militate against turkey production in Nigeria. This situation is also
evident from the FAO report (FAOStat, 2011), which shows that the population of
local turkeys in Nigeria is only about 1.05 million, being the smallest when
compared with other poultry species. It is important to come to terms with the
fact that advancement in the industry depends on the use of birds with high
reproductive rate, adoption of better mating methods, use of high quality semen
in insemination as well as good nutrition.
According to Donoghue and Donoghue (1997), avian
spermatozoa are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which makes them
vulnerable to lipid peroxidation especially during in-vitro manipulation. In
particular fatty acids are the most vulnerable to lipid peroxidation.
Generally, some features of avian semen have also been found to put it under
pressure of oxidative stress. For instance, there is limitation in antioxidant
recycling, because of very low activity or even absences of hexose
mono-phosphate shunt in avian spermatozoa (Sexton, 1974). Also, the low
production of NADPH (the coemzymes for glutathione reductase) has been
implicated as a factor in reducing fertility of avian sperm. There are also
observations that leukocyte contamination of the semen is responsible for
increased generation of free radicals which affect the performance of turkey
sperm (Halliwed and Gutteridge, 1999). Furthermore, the activity of antioxidant
enzymes in turkey spermatozoa is also lower compared to that of chicken and
this makes turkey sperm more vulnerable to the problem of peroxidation (Aitken,
1999). Worthy of note, is the fact that turkey spermatozoa are very dependent on oxidative
metabolism to maintain optimal ATP level needed for sperm metabolism (Wishart,
1982). Therefore, any damage resulting from these discrepancies may leads to
alteration of the membrane irreversibly, thereby affecting sperm function and
fertilizing ability. In effect, antioxidant protection is thus absolutely vital
for maintaining the fertility of turkey spermatozoa.
Studies have revealed how the
reproductive efficiency of male breeder can be affected by a variety of factors
such as breeding methods, environment (daily photoperiod, temperature housing,
and nutrition) and frequency of semen collection and technique of artificial
insemination (AI), especially in turkey (Sexton, 1983 and Lake, 1984). In
addition, these authors have stressed the importance of evaluating the semen
prior to insemination to improve the reproductive efficiency. Antioxidants have
been reported to be efficient in diminishing lipid oxidation in avian
spermatozoa which is a major factor in reduction of fertility. Worthy of note
is the fact that natural antioxidant has the ability to increase the
antioxidant capacity of the seminal plasma and reduce the risk of certain
deleterious free radicals on sperm fertilizing ability (Chanda and Dave, 2009).
Dawson et al. (1990) reported that the
antioxidant properties of ascorbic acid are essential in maintaining the
membrane and the genetic integrity of sperm cells by preventing oxidative
damage to the sperm DNA. Also, studies have shown that antioxidants especially
those of plant origin such as Moringa oleifera
and Gogronema Latifolium have greater application
potential for therapeutic and reproductive uses.
Moringa Oleifera plant
in the family of Moringacea is native to
India, naturalized in tropic and sub-tropical
areas of the world (Price, 2002). It is widely distributed and cultivated in
the northern part of Nigeria and it is called Zogale
in Hausa. The plant is characterized as fast growing and drought resistant with
an average height of 12 meters at maturity (Fuglie, 2001). All parts of the
moringa tree is said to have beneficial properties. Nutritional analyses by
Gopalan et al. (1989) and Fuglie (2001) indicate
that Moringa leaves contain a wealth of essential amino acids, vitamins and
minerals with higher values in their dried form than in its fresh form, except
for vitamin C which is high in its fresh leaves. Fuglie (1999) also reported
some specific plant pigments with demonstrated anti oxidant properties such as
carotinoids, lutein, alpha-carotine, beta-carotine, xanthins and chlorophyll.
Other phytochemicals contained in moringa which have powerful antioxidant
ability include kaempferol, queretin, rutin, kaffeoylquinic acids, vitamins A,
C and E, some valuable micro nutrients such as selenium and zinc are also found
in the leaves of Moringa......
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