Antibiotic Potential of Moringa Leaf (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Crude Extract in Bull Semen Extender

Aim: The effect of Moringa oleifera crude extract (MOCE) was carried out on Friesian bull semen for its antibiotic potential.

Design of the Experiment: The design of the experiment was completely randomized design.

Place and Duration of Study: Artificial Insemination Laboratory of Livestock Investigation Division, National Veterinary Research Institute, K-Vom, Plateau State and teaching and research farm, university of ibadan, nigeria between april and may 2012.

Methodology: Semen obtained was diluted in glucose yolk citrate extender containing 0 ml, 4 mls, 8 mls, 12 mls and 16 mls of MOCE as treatments 1(control) to 5 respectively diluted at ratio 0.5 mls semen to 5 mls of extender and refrigerated at 6°C for 72 hours.

Sample: We included 2 Friesian bull and MOCE. Sperm concentration, percentage progressive motility, plasma membrane integrity, percentage livability, normal sperm morphology and acrosome integrity were studied at 0 hour, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours.

Results: Mean progressive motility and plasma membrane were significantly (P < .05) higher at 12 mls (97.67%) and 16 mls (99.33%) of MOCE inclusion compared to control. Percentage livability decreased significantly (P < .05) with increasing MOCE inclusion across treatments up to 48 hours. Normal sperm morphology of MOCE based Treatments were significantly (P < .05) higher than that of the control (0 ml). There was a significant (P<.05) increase in the mean values of Acrosome Integrity at 4mls and 16mls MOCE inclusion level after 24 hours.

Conclusion: 16 mls inclusion level of MOCE could be a good substitute for the antibiotic component of conventional bovine semen extender as it enhances the sperm percentage motility, acrosome integrity and normal morphology thereby preserving the fertility potential of spermatozoa when refrigerated at 6°C for 72 hours.