EFFECTS OF VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTATION IN SUGARCANE-BASED EXTENDER ON SPERM MORPHOLOGY, VIABILITY, AND MOTILITY OF BANABA NATIVE CHICKEN (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Abstract

Nine sexually mature Banaba roosters were used as semen donors to assess the effects of vitamin C supplementation in a sugarcane-based extender on semen quality. Collected semen were pooled and initially assessed for color and consistency. Only samples with at least 70% initial motility were further processed. Pooled semen samples were randomly distributed into five experimental groups: RC (Ringer’s solution, control), SC (sugarcane-based extender, control), T1 (SBE with 2 mg/mL vitamin C), T2 (SBE with 4 mg/mL vitamin C), and T3 (SBE with 6 mg/mL vitamin C), and stored at either room (20-25°C) or low (4-9°C) temperatures. Samples were evaluated for motility (%), viability (%), and morphologically normal sperm (%). Results showed a significant interaction effect (p<0.001) between the type of extender and temperature on extension time, with T2 showing superior preservation. While all samples stored at room temperature exhibited decreased motility over time, a significant interaction effect (p=0.006) was noted for sperm motility at 8 hours, with T2 at low temperature maintaining the highest motility. Moreover, T2 showed the highest viability, particularly at low temperatures. All groups demonstrated comparable sperm morphology at both 4 and 8 hours of extension at room and low temperatures. These findings validate the potential use of vitamin C and a sugarcane-based extender in avian semen processing, crucial for successful artificial insemination and poultry breeding programs.