Evaluation of Vitamins C and E on Semen Motility and Viability in Chilled Semen of Nigerian Indigenous Turkey Toms (Meleagris gallopavo)

Oxidative stress has been established as a major cause of semen deterioration during in-vitro storage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing the diluents of turkey semen with antioxidant vitamins C, E and a combination of vitamin C and E on semen motility and viability. Twenty healthy turkey toms aged 37-38 weeks with an average weight of 7±0.3kg were used for this study. The toms were randomly placed into four groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3) of five toms. Semen was collected bi-weekly from the turkey toms within the groups using abdominal massage method. Semen collected from individual turkey toms within each group were pooled, evaluated and extended with egg yolk citrate diluent containing no antioxidant (T0), 4 mg/ml Vitamin C (T1), 8 mg/ml Vitamin E (T2) and 4 mg/ml Vitamin C + 8 mg/ml Vitamin E (T3). The extended semen were packaged into biju bottles and stored at 40C for 48 hours. Semen motility and viability, were assessed at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 and 48 hours post dilution and storage at 40C. The motility and viability of the diluted semen decreased across the group with increase in storage time irrespective of the antioxidants added. T2 gave a better motility (55±2.8 %), viability (41.3± 1.5%) over a 24 hour period. The result from this study showed that supplementation of the diluents of turkey semen with antioxidants resulted in significant (p <0.05) improvement in motility and viability. Vitamin E recorded a better result in relation to motility and viability. It can be concluded that the supplementation of diluents of turkey semen with antioxidant Vitamin C and E improves the shelf-live and quality of turkey semen during in-vitro storage.