Evaluation of Vitamins C and E on Spermeogram and Malondialdehyde Concentration in Chilled Semen of Nigerian Indigenous Turkey Toms (Meleagris gallopavo)

The study aims to evaluate the effect of antioxidant vitamins C and E on spermeogram and malondialdehyde concentration in chilled semen of Nigerian indigenous turkey toms (Meleagris gallopavo). The results from this study showed that supplementation of the diluents of turkey semen with antioxidants resulted in improvement in spermatozoa motility, pH, volume and reduced rate of lipid peroxidation compared to the control (T0). Vitamin E recorded a better result in relation to motility, viability and lipid peroxidation rate better than a combination of vitamin C and E. Improvement in semen concentration of turkey tom were recorded in the semen of turkey extended with vitamin C. These results demonstrate that lipid peroxidation is a significant factor affecting the fertility of stored turkey sperm and those methods to prevent or reduce lipid peroxidation remain to be elucidated.