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Abstract
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Article Information:
The Effects of Age, Breed, Sire, Body Weight and the Ejaculate Characteristics of Rabbit Bucks
G.N. Akpa, H.K. Yahaya and U.C. Martin
Corresponding Author: G.N. Akpa
Submitted: March 23, 2012
Accepted: April 23, 2012
Published: June 15, 2012 |
Abstract:
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The aim of this research is to analyse the semen of different breeds of rabbits and to determine the
effects of age, breed, sire, generation and body weight on the ejaculate characteristics of rabbit bucks. Twenty
rabbit bucks comprising of three breeds (New-Zealand White 8, Chinchilla 6 and Californian White 6) between
the ages of 6-9 months were used to investigate the effect of age, breed, sire and generation on body weight and
ejaculate characteristics of the bucks. The experiment was carried out at the Animal Science departmental farm,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Parameters considered include semen colour, semen volume, semen ejaculate
volume, semen concentration, semen pH, sperm motility, body weight and age. The mean for semen ejaculate
volume, semen concentration, pH, sperm motility, body weight and age were 0.5 mL, 325.5x106 sperm
cells/mL, 7.5, 86.6, 2.0 and 7.6% months, respectively. Age, breed and sire had (p≤0.05) effect on ejaculate
characteristics but breed and sire had higher significant (p<0.01) effect on body weight. However, generation
had no significant effect on the body weight and ejaculate characteristics except on semen pH (p<0.05). The
ejaculate characteristics of the rabbit bucks were influenced by age, breed and sire. The values obtained were
within the normal standards for rabbits-bucks. New Zealand White bucks proved superior in terms of ejaculate
characteristics.
Key words: Age, body weight, breed, ejaculate, rabbit bucks, sire,
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Cite this Reference:
G.N. Akpa, H.K. Yahaya and U.C. Martin, . The Effects of Age, Breed, Sire, Body Weight and the Ejaculate Characteristics of Rabbit Bucks. International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, (3): 191-194.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-2908
ISSN (Print): 2041-2894 |
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