Effect of ecotype and age on semen characteristics of three Tanzanian native chickens

Several findings on the semen characteristics of domestic chickens have revealed that ecotype and age significantly affect quality. There is, however, lack data effects Tanzanian native roosters. This study evaluated effect ecotypes (Ching’wekwe, Morogoro-medium Kuchi) ages (11-15 24-28 months) A total 192 samples were collected from 12 roosters (four each ecotype) using abdominal massage technique at weekly interval for four consecutive months. Semen individual evaluated. The volume, pH, sperm motility, concentration, proportion spermatozoa with normal morphology live among varied 0.42±0.04 to 0.52±0.03mL, 7.01±0.00 7.02±0.00, 72.81±1.27 76.63±1.35%, 3.90±0.98 4.12±1.96 x 109/mL, 86.16±0.55 89.38±0.80% 88.06±1.13 90.97±0.81% respectively. However, only variations in significant (P<0.05). two groups 0.44±0.03 73.88±1.13 to75.92±0.99%, 3.80±0.45 4.28±0.32 87.02±0.58 88.15±0.64%, 88.27±0.77 89.83±0.77% volume Pearson correlation coefficients between other quality mostly low medium positive values ranging 0.01-0.51 motility morphological spermatozoa, Although there is minimal variation groups, all might still be used breeding purposes maintain chickens, because results found within reference range chickens.