Effect of vitamin E supplementation on semen quantity and quality of Local Kampong roosters

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of increasing dietary levels of vitamin E on semen quantity and quality characteristics of local kampong roosters. Forty-five roosters were randomly distributed equally to 3 treatment groups with each group consisting of 5 replicates of 3 roosters per replicate. The 3 treatment groups were no vitamin E (T0), 200 IU vitamin E (T1) and 400 IU vitamin E (T2) supplementations. DL a-tocopherol acetate was used as the source of vitamin E. Commercial broiler feed, crushed corn and water were given ad libitum. Semen quantity and quality were evaluated at week 2, 3 and 4 after the initial vitamin E supplementation. Improvement in semen production characteristics was only noticeable after 4 wk of vitamin E supplementation. Semen characteristics (sperm gross motility score, percentage of live sperm and colour score) at week 4 after supplementation were significantly higher (6.20 � 1.10, 81.68 � 5.39% and 2.80 � 0.30, respectively) in T2 group (P < 0.05) compared to control group. Percentages of abnormal tail spermatozoa were significantly (P < 0.05) lower (3.84 � 2.55) T2 group compared to control group. From this study, it can be concluded that higher supplementation of dietary vitamin E is beneficial in improving the semen characteristics of local kampong chicken after 4 wk of supplementation.

Keywords

• Vitamin E
• sperm
• rooster