Effect of Avocado (Persea americana Mill) oil inclusion in the Tris-based extender on the quality of Boer goat semen stored at different temperatures

Abstract

Semen extenders are chemical mediums used for preserving, and protecting spermatozoa against different shocks while processing, storing and transportation for use in artificial insemination (Raheja et al., 2018). There are challenges with the preservation of goat semen for Artificial Insemination (AI). Spermatozoa with poor viability were observed when goat semen was extended with egg yolk and skimmed milk because of the seminal plasma secreted by the bulbourethral gland (Cabrera et al., 2005). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Avocado oil on Boer goats semen quality parameters during liquid storage (5˚C,17 ˚C and 24˚C). Semen samples collected from four matured Boer goats were pooled and Tris-egg yolk extenders were supplemented with Avocado oil at 0, 1, 2 and 3%. The samples were then stored at 5˚C,17 ˚C, 24˚C and several sperm parameters (motility, viability, morphology, and DNA fragmentation) were assessed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h intervals. Results showed that the supplementation of Tris egg yolk with 1%, 2% and 3% Avocado oil improved total motility, progressive motility, morphology, and viability when stored at 5˚C for up to 72 hours and when stored at 17˚C for 24 hours. However, non-fragmented DNA improved when 3% of Avocado oil was added to the Tris egg yolk when kept at 5˚C from 24 hours. Therefore, it was concluded that the Boer goat spermatozoa quality could be preserved for 72 hours at 5˚C when adding 2% and 3% of Avocado oil to the Tris egg yolk extender. Semen with inclusions of Avocado oil in Tris-egg yolk can preserve Boer goat semen for 24 hours or less when stored at 17°C.