STUDY OF SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS AT SEXUAL MATURITY IN AWASSI LAMBS FED ON LOW DEGRADABLE SUNFLOWER MEAL AND SEEDS

Abstract

This study was conducted using 18 Awassi male lambs with an average initial weight 33.57 ± 0.69 kg for the period from 9-12 months of age. Lambs were distributed randomly into three treatments each, included 6 lambs. Lambs in the first treatment (T1) were fed a diet that includes 11% of sunflower meal, the second treatment (T2) fed diet includes 11% of low degradable sunflower meal, and the third treatment (T3) were fed on a diet containing 11% low degradable sunflower seed. The results were indicated a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) in semen volume in (T2) 2.77 ml compared with the (T1) 1.98 ml and (T2)1.69 ml. Significant improve (p≤ 0.05) was noted in T2 and T3 in individual motility 87.33 and 87.70% and sperm concentration 2.45 and 2.62 × 109 / ml compared to the T1 the individual motility was 84.95% and sperm concentration 2.10 × 109 / ml, respectively. Seminal plasma concentration of total protein, globulin, and urea were higher (P≤ 0.05) in T2 as compared other treatments. Whereas, feeding low degradable sunflower seed (T3) resulted in a significant increase (P≤ 0.01) of cholesterol concentration 140.05 mg/dl in seminal plasma compared with the T1 122.78 mg/dl and T2 125.81 mg/dl, while triglycerides was decreased (P≤ 0.05) in T1 37.49 mg/dl than T2 and T3 52.72 and 58.92 mg/dl respectivly. This study was conducted using 18 Awassi male lambs with an average initial weight 33.57 ± 0.69 kg for the period from 9-12 months of age. Lambs were distributed randomly into three treatments each, included 6 lambs. Lambs in the first treatment (T1) were fed a diet that includes 11% of sunflower meal, the second treatment (T2) fed diet includes 11% of low degradable sunflower meal, and the third treatment (T3) were fed on a diet containing 11% low degradable sunflower seed. The results were indicated a significant increase (P≤ 0.05) in semen volume in (T2) 2.77 ml compared with the (T1) 1.98 ml and (T2)1.69 ml. Significant improve (p≤ 0.05) was noted in T2 and T3 in individual motility 87.33 and 87.70% and sperm concentration 2.45 and 2.62 × 109 / ml compared to the T1 the individual motility was 84.95% and sperm concentration 2.10 × 109 / ml, respectively. Seminal plasma concentration of total protein, globulin, and urea were higher (P≤ 0.05) in T2 as compared other treatments. Whereas, feeding low degradable sunflower seed (T3) resulted in a significant increase (P≤ 0.01) of cholesterol concentration 140.05 mg/dl in seminal plasma compared with the T1 122.78 mg/dl and T2 125.81 mg/dl, while triglycerides was decreased (P≤ 0.05) in T1 37.49 mg/dl than T2 and T3 52.72 and 58.92 mg/dl respectivly.

Keywords

• protein and fat degradability,,
• ,،,؛semen traits,,
• ,،,؛seminal plasma