Semen Characteristics and Correlation Among Three Indigenous Cock Types in the Semi Arid Zone of Nigeria

The study was carried out to evaluate the semen characteristics of the three indigenous cocks and correlation among semen characteristics of each cock genotype. Fifteen (15 ) local breeder cocks at maturity comprising three strains of indigenous cocks (5 Frizzle, 5 Normal feathered and 5 Naked Neck ) were obtained from local farmers within the state and used for the experiment . They were sexually matured cocks of about 14 – 18 months of age. One year study was carried out from September 2016 to August 2017. A total of 497 semen ejaculates was collected from the cocks by the abdominal message method and were assessed for routine laboratory methods. The highest mean value of semen volume (0.45ml) was obtained in frizzle feathered cocks while the lowest mean value of (0.31ml) was obtained in the naked neck cock. Coefficient of variability was highest in semen volume and ranged from 29.77% in the normal feathered to 43.69% in the frizzle feathered cock. The lowest variable semen characteristic was pH which showed percentage variability that ranged from 4.25% in the naked neck to 6.13% in the normal feathered cock. Coefficients of variation were similar for percent non motile sperm, semen concentration and percent abnormality with values between 12.67 and 15.60%. The highest coefficient of variation for semen volume in frizzle feather cocks is indicative of the potential of this genotype to be selected for improvement. In all the genotypes negative low phenotypic correlation coefficients as well as low positive correlation coefficients exist among most semen characteristics. Significantly high negative correlation coefficient exists between individual sperm motility and percent dead sperm cells in all the genotypes. The observed high negative significant correlation between individual sperm motility and dead sperm cells in all the genotypes is expected as increase in individual sperm motility would lead to decrease in percent dead sperm cells.