RELATIONSHIP OF SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF ITIK PINAS-KHAKI (Anas platyrhyncos) BEFORE AND AFTER CRYOPRESERVATION

Abstract

Itik Pinas (IP) is a superior breed of egg-type Philippine mallard duck developed for high egg production and consistent egg quality to meet the growing local demand for duck eggs. A clear and thorough understanding of IP’s reproductive characteristics and performance can help boost its local production. Thus, this study assessed the semen characteristics of IP-Khaki through different techniques depending on the parameter. Here, pooled semen samples were collected from six drakes grouped in two batches for the comparison of semen parameters before and after cryopreservation. Pearson Correlation and Kendall’s Tau Correlation were used to determine the relationship of the different semen parameters before and after cryopreservation. Overall, the only significant relationships are the positive linear relationships of initial motility with initial viability, change in motility and change in viability. This was consistent with the findings for the good batch and poor batch, individually. The poor batch generally showed weaker magnitudes and smaller significance of all the parameter relationships compared to those of the good batch.