 | Abstract 11Effects of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) supplementation on ejaculated semen characteristics of broiler breeder chickens under hot and humid tropical conditions.Monsi,A; Onitchi,-DO Department of Animal Science, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, PMB 5080, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Animal-Feed-Science-and-Technology. 1991, 34: 1-2, 141-146; 11 ref. For up to 14 weeks, 40 White Rock broiler breeder male chickens, 1 year old, were fed on maize/soyabean diets supplemented with ascorbic acid 0, 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg. Semen volume, motile sperm per ejaculate and sperm number per ejaculate were increased (P < 0.05) by ascorbic acid supplementation with greatest improvements at 500 mg/kg. Sperm concentration and motility were not affected by treatment. Dietary supplementation of ascorbic acid of at least 250 mg/kg is desirable to maintain semen quality during hot months under humid tropical conditions. This abstract relates to the following species: |