Effects of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation on ejaculated semen characteristics of broiler breeder chickens under hot and humid tropical conditions

Abstract

Ascorbic acid was added to a maize and soya-bean broiler diet at four inclusion levels of 0, 125, 250 and 500 mg kg −1. Each treatment was randomly assigned to two groups of yearling broiler breeder males (five animals per group) in a completely randomized arrangement. Semen volume, motile sperm per ejaculate and sperm number per ejaculate were significantly ( P < 0.05) increased by ascorbic acid supplementation with improvements being highest at the 500 mg kg −1 level. Sperm concentration and motility were not significantly affected by the treatments. Dietary supplementation of ascorbic acid of at least 250 mg kg −1 is desirable to maintain semen quality during the hot months under humid tropical conditions.