Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on semen quality in White Pekin drakes

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on semen quality in White Pekin ducks. The drakes were randomly assigned to three experimental groups at 20 weeks of age based on the treatments followed, as T1 (Basal diet), T2 (Basal diet + 100 mg vitamin E/kg diet), and T3 (Basal diet + 200 mg vitamin E/ kg diet). Semen was collected once in four days and was subjected to various microscopic and macroscopic parameters. There was no significant difference in semen volume and appearance score among the experimental treatments. The pH of semen was found slightly alkaline in all three treatments. Most samples were white in colour and were medium thick or thick in consistency.The major contaminants observed were faeces and uric acid crystals. Significantly (p<0.05) higher progressive motility per cent and motility score was observed in T3 compared to control group and the values of T2 were comparable. There was no significant difference in concentration, viability and sperm abnormality among the three treatments.The sperm HOS response per cent was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T3 and T2 compared to control group. Dietary addition of vitamin E enhanced the semen quality by eliminating the free radicals Keywords: Semen, ducks, Vitamin E