The anti-oxidative influence of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in three extenders on chilled semen of red Sokoto bucks and conception rates in does was evaluated. Twenty matured red Sokoto bucks were selected for this study. Two ejaculates were collected from each buck per week for a period of 4 weeks. Semen was collected from bucks using a battery-operated electro-ejaculator for semen analyses. Volume, colour, gross motility, concentration and percentage live spermatozoa were examined. A total of 10 ejaculates were further collected weekly from 10 selected bucks from the previous twenty good semen quality for 8 weeks. Semen was extended in tris egg-yolk (TEY), citrate egg-yolk (CEY) and tris-coconut water (TCW) extenders in test tubes, containing BHT antioxidant to obtain 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM/mL BHT. Sperm characteristics were determined at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours of storage. Twenty multiparous does divided into 3 groups (A, B and C), of 7, 7 and 6 does respectively. These does received 250 µg cloprostenol intramuscularly, twice, 11 days apart and insemination was conducted 48 hours after. Groups A, B and C were inseminated with semen stored for 72 hours containing 1.0 mM/mL of BHT extended in TEY, 1.0 mM/mL of BHT extended in CEY and 0.5 mM/mL of BHT extended in TCW respectively. Ultrasonography was used for pregnancy diagnoses 47 days after artificial insemination. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that semen of red Sokoto bucks stored in tris egg yolk + 1.0 mM/mL BHT and chilled for 72 hours had better semen quality and conception rates.
Key words: Butylated hydroxytoluene, Semen, Antioxidant, Extenders, Red Sokoto goats
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