Authors : E.N. Nwachukwu , S.N. Ibe and C.U. Amadi
Abstract: This study reports the effect of genotype and frequency of semen collection on seminal traits of local chicken cocks. Semen was collected, using the back-lumbar massage method from Normal Feather (NOF), Naked Neck (NN), Frizzle (FR) and Naked Neck x Frizzle (NNxFR) cocks at two ejaculation frequencies, namely once and twice per week for nine weeks. Ejaculates were subjected to both physical and laboratory evaluations for quality. Results showed that there were significant (p<0.05) differences between the genotypes for semen volume with the NOF (0.15±0.009 mL) and NN x FR (0.13±0.013 mL) cocks having higher semen volumes than that of the NN (0.11±0.013 mL) and FR (0.08±0.013 mL) counterparts. Total spermatozoa was the only seminal trait significantly affected by the two frequencies of collection with once a week giving higher values than twice a week collection. Interaction effect was significant for sperm concentration and total spermatozoa. This effect was stronger when semen was harvested twice a week with the NN x FR and NOF cocks producing higher values. It was therefore concluded that NN x FR and NOF genotype were superior to their NN and FR counterparts in both semen output and frequency of semen collections and may be considered as potential candidates for use in natural mating and/or artificial insemination programmes aimed at improving the lot of the local chicken.
E.N. Nwachukwu , S.N. Ibe and C.U. Amadi , 2006. Effect of Genotype and Frequency of Semen Collection on Semen Characteristics of Local Chicken Cocks. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 5: 562-565.