Potential of watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ) to maintain oxidative stability of rooster semen for artificial insemination

• Published in: Journal of animal science and technology Vol. 63; no. 1; pp. 46 - 57
• Main Authors: Jimoh, Olatunji Abubakar, Akinola, Micheal Olawale, Oyeyemi, Bolaji Fatai, Oyeyemi, Wahab Adekunle, Ayodele, Simeon Olugbenga, Omoniyi, Idowu Samuel, Okin-Aminu, Hafsat Ololade
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society of Animal Sciences and Technology 01-01-2021; 한국축산학회
• Subjects: dextrose saline; hatchability; rooster semen; semen diluent; sperm kinetics; watermelon; 축산학; Rooster semen; Hatchability; Dextrose saline; Semen diluent; Sperm kinetics; Watermelon
• ISSN: 2055-0391; 2672-0191; 2055-0391; 2093-6281
• DOI: 10.5187/JAST.2021.E21

Fruits with antioxidant enrichment can be an economically affordable supplement for mitigating oxidative damage prone spermatozoa membrane pathologies. Computer-assisted sperm analyzer and oxidative status were utilized to evaluate the impact of watermelon (
) fortification of dextrose saline as diluent for rooster semen and fertility response of hens inseminated. Watermelon juice and dextrose saline were used to formulate diluent of 7 treatments consisting of unextended semen (positive control), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and only dextrose saline (negative control) designated as Treatments 1-7. Pooled semen was obtained from fertile roosters and equilibrated with diluents at ratio 1:2 in the various treatments and were evaluated using computer software coupled microscope and seminal oxidative status assay. 168 laying hens randomly divided into 7 treatment of 8 replicates and 3 hen per replicate. Hen were everted, and semen (2 × 10
Spermatozoa) deposited intra-vagina and eggs collected over 8 weeks to assess fertility and hatchability of eggs laid. The result obtained revealed that watermelon-dextrose saline rooster semen diluent enhanced progressive motility, sperm kinetics and lowered non-progressive motility in T2-T6 compared to T7 over the 3 hours of evaluation. Watermelon addition to rooster semen diluent enhance the antioxidant capacity of rooster semen and lowered lipid peroxide generation. The percentage fertility was highest in T3 (81.01%) and T4 (81.24%) with lowest value obtained in T7 (73.46%). The hatchability of eggs set of hens inseminated with undiluted semen (71.46%) was lower than values for hens inseminated with watermelon inclusive extended semen (75.71%-80.39%). The optimal inclusion of 30%-40% watermelon in dextrose saline diluent enhance rooster semen kinetics, seminal oxidative stability and egg fertility.