EFFECT OF DIFFERENT COLOURS AND DURATION ON SPERM VIABILITY OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF RAM SEMEN

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different light colours and duration on sperm viability of West African dwarf ram. A total of six West African dwarf rams were used for the experiment. The animals were reared under a semi-intensive management and fed with concentrates and Panicum maximum, with water given ad libitum. Semen was collected using an artificial vagina using a doe as a teaser. The collected semen were pooled together and divided into 5 graduated Eppendorf tube (2mL), placed in a box of 36.5cm x 31cm x 26cm (L × B × H). The light source was a 10w bulb of different colours which were positioned 20cm above the semen sample. With 0 hours as the control, the semen sample was exposed to light for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. The motility, livability, acrosome integrity, membrane integrity and abnormalities were evaluated. The results showed that different light colours have significant (p<0.05) effect on sperm livability and abnormality but not significant (p>0.05) in motility, acrosome and membrane integrity. Duration was observed to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in motility, livability, acrosome and membrane integrity but decreased after 2 hours. In conclusion, different light colours have no detrimental effect on sperm quality and semen collected and intended to be used for artificial insemination should be used at most within 2 hours of collection.