Browsing by Author "Hadish Ghidey"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Item
    EVALUATION OF BULL SEMEN QUALITY IN MEKELLE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION CENTER, TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA
    (Mekelle University, 2024-02-25) Hadish Ghidey
    The study aimed to assess the quality characteristics of fresh and post-thaw semen from 10 artificial insemination (AI) bulls of different breeds (5 Holstein-Friesian, 2 Jersey, and 3 Begait) at the Mekelle Artificial Insemination Centre (MAIC). The research also compared semen quality among the breeds and evaluated the potential of the bull semen at the center. Additionally, semen samples from districts including Ganta Afeshum, Kilteawlaelo, Enderta, and Mekelle City were examined. A total of 400 semen samples were analyzed for various parameters, including volume, mass motility, individual motility, sperm concentration, normal morphology, live and dead cell counts, pH, acrosome integrity, and HOST (Hypo-Osmotic Swelling Test). Semen was collected once per week from each bull using an artificial vagina and diluted with the optixcell2 extender. Statistical analyses such as one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and paired t-tests were performed using SPSS 20.0 to determine the significance levels. The results showed that the mean values of fresh semen were as follows: volume 6.8 ml, mass motility 3.4 (on a scale of 1-4), individual motility 77.5%, concentration 0.7 billion/ml, normal morphology 69%, live cells 68.2%, and pH 6.2. According to the results obtained at MAIC, there were no significant differences between breeds (p>0.05) in terms of fresh semen volume, pH, concentration, individual and mass motility, and morphology, except for live cell count. In the post-thawing evaluation, the following parameters were observed individual motility - 59.9%, normal morphology - 64.4%, total live cell count 62.3%, acrosome integrity 70.7%, and HOST 61.5%. There were significant differences between the breeds (p<0.05) in terms of individual motility, normal morphology, and live and dead cell counts. However, no significant differences were found in acrosome integrity and HOST sperm quality (p>0.05).In the field study, the post-freezing motility was recorded as 42.7%, normal morphology 50.4%, live cell count 53.7%, acrosome integrity 49.3%, and HOST 51.6±0.6%. Overall, the results indicated that the semen quality of the bulls at the center was satisfactory, except for the lower morphology results. However, the districts' results were unsatisfactory, highlighting the need for further investigation at both the center and district levels.