Effect of azolla (Azolla pinnata) supplementation on puberty, semen characteristics and sexual behaviour in Alpine × Beetal crossbred bucks

SHAILESH KUMAR GUPTA; RAMESH CHANDRA; KULADIP PRAKASH SHINDE; MUKESH  BHAKAT; SHABIR AHMAD LONE; NISHANT KUMAR

doi:10.56093/ijans.v92i7.118157

Authors

SHAILESH KUMAR GUPTA
RAMESH CHANDRA ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
KULADIP PRAKASH SHINDE ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
MUKESH BHAKAT ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
SHABIR AHMAD LONE ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India
NISHANT KUMAR ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132 001 India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v92i7.118157

Keywords:

Azolla, Bucks, Feeding, Puberty, Semen, Sexual behaviour

Abstract

The present experiment was conducted at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. Eighteen
male crossbred bucks (Alpine × Beetal) (average 103.94±2.87 days old) were divided into three groups with
six animals in each group, viz. T1 , T2 and T3 . Animals of T1 group were fed different green fodder and concentrate
mixture to meet their daily nutrient requirement. Animals of T2 group were fed according to T1 except 20% replacement of concentrate mixture by sun-dried azolla on DMB. Animals of T3 group were fed according to T1
except the animals were fed with concentrate supplemented with 20% sun-dried azolla on DMB. Effect of azolla on
age at puberty, seminal parameters and sexual behaviour was assayed by standard methods. The animals of T3
group attained puberty significantly earlier as compared to T1 and T2 . Non-significant effect of azolla upplementation on semen volume, pH, mass activity, abnormality and acrosomal integrity was observed. The progressive motility and sperm concentration was significantly higher in T3 group as compared to T1 . The HOST% and live spermatozoa were significantly higher in T2 and T3 as compared to T1 . Sexual behaviours were significantly better in T2 and T3 as compared to T1 . In conclusion, the supplementation of bucks with azolla reduces their age at puberty, improves seminal characteristics and sexual behaviour

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