Semen quality and egg hatchability in local turkey fed diets containing moringa oleifera

Project Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) in the diets of local turkeys on semen quality and egg hatchability. A total of 60 local turkeys were used in a 12-week feeding trial. The birds were randomly divided into four groups and fed diets containing 0% (control), 2.5%, 5%, and 7.5% MOLM. Semen samples were collected from the male turkeys, and parameters such as volume, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were evaluated. Egg hatchability was assessed by incubating eggs from female turkeys in each group. The results showed that the inclusion of MOLM in the diets had a significant effect on semen quality, with the 5% MOLM group recording the highest sperm concentration and motility. However, there was no significant difference in semen volume and morphology among the groups. In terms of egg hatchability, the group fed 5% MOLM diet had the highest hatchability rate compared to the other groups. These findings suggest that the inclusion of MOLM in the diets of local turkeys can positively impact semen quality and egg hatchability. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects and to optimize the inclusion levels of MOLM for improved reproductive performance in local turkeys.

Project Overview

<p> The experiment was conducted to determine semen quality, fertility, egg hatchability and some<br>biochemical parameters in Nigerian local turkey toms fed diets containing Moringa oleifera (MO),<br>Gongronema latifolium (GL) leaf meals and their combinations. A total of 72 Nigerian local turkeys<br>comprising of 54 males and 18 females were used for the study. The males were randomly divided<br>into 9 treatment groups, each treatment was replicated 3 times with 2 toms per replicate. The<br>treatment diets were given only to the toms, starting from three month of age through the<br>experimental period. The experimental animals were fed and given water properly, twice a day<br>without restriction. All the management practices were carried out to the best of ability. The males in<br>all the treatment groups were weighed weekly to determine their daily and weekly body weight gain.<br>At 26 weeks of age, toms were trained for semen collection, and 32 weeks of age, semen was collected<br>using abdominal massages. Samples were analyzed for colour, volume, progressive motility, sperm<br>concentration, viability and sperm morphology. Fresh semen sample were also collected per<br>treatment in vials’ stored in ice block and analyzed for fructose, Na and K. A total of 18 hens were<br>randomly shared 2 per treatment corresponding to the 9 treatments. Pooled Semen from each<br>treatment was used to inseminate the hens twice a week at the beginning of egg lay and once a week<br>subsequently. A total of 225 eggs were collected and incubated in weekly batches, analyzed for<br>fertility and hatchability. The result revealed that M. oleifera and G. latifolium leaf meals had<br>significant (P&lt;0.05) effects on the semen quality parameters measured. M. oleifera fed tom at 3kg<br>yielded the best result: ejaculate volume 0.58ml, motility= 92.93%, Conc.= 4.82(x10/ml 9), live<br>sperm= 94.13%, normal sperm 91.38% and corresponding lower values for percentage dead and<br>abnormal sperm.<br>While, G. latifolium treated toms had a lower value for their semen quality<br>parameters when compared with the control group. Interaction effects of M. oleifera and G. latifolium<br>leaf meals were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different. Compared with control semen quality traits were<br>higher at 3kgMO+1.5kgGL inclusion, lower at 1.5kgMO + 1.5kgGL, and significantly reduced semen<br>quality of toms fed 1.5kgMO+ 3kgGL diets. Similarly, the percent fertile eggs, and percent hatched<br>eggs were greatly improved at 3kgMO diets with corresponding decrease in percent infertile eggs and<br>dead in shell embryos than the control. However, toms fed diet at 1.5kgGL and 3kgGL had their<br>values for these parameters being severely reduced. Hatchability values increased to 88.39% and<br>83.33% at 3kg MO+1.5kgGL and 3kg MO+3kgGL respectively with a decrease in percent dead- inshell<br>embryos to 16.99% and 19.12% respectively. Seminal fructose concentration (mg/100ml) was<br>significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased (5.86+2.76) at 3kgGL when compared with the control, but M.<br>oleifera had a negligible increase in fructose concentration. However, M. oleifera fed toms (3kg) had<br>a significant(P&lt;0.05) increase in concentration of Na and K (0.39 and 0.35) respectively. These<br>result suggest that improved fertility, eggs hatchability and reduction in percent embryo mortality can<br>be achieved using M. oleifera at 3kg/100kg diet and combination of M. oleifera+G. latifolium at rate<br>of 3kgMO+1.5kgGL, but treatment with G.latifolium at the rate of 1.5kg, 3kg and combination at rate&nbsp; of 1.5kgMO +3kgGL caused reduced fertility in local Nigerian turkey. <br></p>