Comparing the effectiveness of different extenders for preserving rooster semen

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of experimental extenders based on coconut oil (COC) and copaiba oil (COP) compared to extenders based on whole powdered milk (WPM) and powdered egg (PWE) in preserving rooster semen for up to 15 minutes at room temperature. The experimental design employed a factorial layout (4x4), encompassing four different extenders (extenders based on COC, COP, WPM or PWE), each applied across four distinct timeframes after semen collection (1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes). All evaluated variables displayed a significant impact (p<0.05). This investigation revealed that the extender containing COC led to a noteworthy reduction in the pH of the sperm samples, approximately 1.31 in semen pH, resulting in a more acidic environment, while COP caused a reduction of 0.25 in semen pH. This alteration created an unfavorable condition for the sperm, which inherently favors a more alkaline pH setting, subsequently compromising their quality. In contrast, extenders based on WPM and PWE yielded superior results in sperm quality and viability at room temperature, providing lower reductions (less than 0.25) in pH and, consequently, a better environment for the sperm. Conclusively, extenders based on WPM and PWE exhibited superior capability in preserving rooster sperm at room temperature for up to 15 minutes when compared to extenders formulated with COP or COC. These extenders demonstrated remarkable outcomes in terms of sperm quality and viability.