EFFECT OF VITAMIN E FORTIFIED DIET ON SEMEN QUALITY AND BODY WEIGHT OF GUINEA COCKS

Abstract

In spite of numerous advantages of guinea fowl over chicken, rearing of guinea fowl is believed to be uneconomical due to high information of PUFA that instigates poor semen quality. However, the study was designed to evaluate effect of vitamin E at different levels on semen quality and body weight of guinea cocks. Twenty-four guinea cocks were equally and randomly distributed into T1, T2, T3 and T4 of 0mg, 125mg, 250mg and 350mg vitamin E per kg diet respectively in a completely randomized design. Initial and final body weights were determined and semen samples were collected twice a week. Best values of semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm progressive motility, percentage live and dead sperm cells were obtained from cocks in T2. Reduction (P<0.05) in values of semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm progressive motility and percentage live were observed from cocks in T3 and T4 indicating that 250mg and 350mg vitamin E inclusion were in excess and had adverse effect on semen parameters of guinea cocks. Cocks in T2 had highest (P<0.05) gains in body weight than the control while cocks in T3 and T4 expressed significant (P<0.05) body weight lost. These results thereforeprove that semen quality and body  weight of guinea cocks were negatively influenced by 250mg and 375mg vitamin E inclusion while 125mg vitamin E inclusion had an improved semen quality at better body weight which is recommendable.