Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (gnrh) analogue on semen characteristics of three ecotypes of Tanzanian native chickens
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Date
2021
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Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
The effect of hormone treatment on semen quality characteristics and reproductive performance
in male animals has been studied extensively. However, limited information is available on effect
of Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment on semen characteristics in galliform
species. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the effect of synthetic GnRH on semen
characteristics in three ecotypes of Tanzanian native chickens. A total of thirty-six mature cockerels
(Ching’wekwe, Morogoro-medium and Kuchi ecotypes) were used in this study. Thirty cockerels
(ten from each ecotype) were intramuscularly injected with 10 mcg (0.2 mL) of GnRH (Factrel®)
once a week for five consecutive weeks. Six cockerels (two from each ecotype) were used for control
purposes and they were given 0.2 mL of normal saline solution. Semen was manually collected at
weekly interval by abdominal massage technique immediately after last GnRH injection for five
consecutive weeks. Results showed that respective semen quality characteristics including semen
volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration, proportion of morphologically normal and live
spermatozoa increased significantly (p<0.05) in the treatment group (0.55±0.02 mL, 80.02±0.30%,
4.80±0.14 × 10 9 sperm cells/mL, 91.25±0.3%, 91.65±0.31%) when compared to the control group
(0.48±0.02 mL, 74.90±0.76%, 4.04±0.18 × 10 9 sperm cells/mL, 87.58±0.43%, 89.05±0.55%).
Variations in semen pH between treated and control group was not significant. In conclusion this
study indicates that semen quality characteristics can be improved by administration of GnRH to
cockerels for increased semen quality characteristics and therefore increasing productivity in the
poultry industry.
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Journal Article
Keywords
Cockerels, Eosin Nigrosin, Gallus gallus domesticus, Gonadorelin hydrochloride, Local chickens, Semen quality