Semen characteristics of Uda rams supplemented with graded levels of Moringa oleifera leaf

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) is a drought-resistant tree of high nutritional value widely used for a variety of conditions. This study evaluates the effect of M. oleifera on semen characteristics in Uda rams. A total of 20 sexually mature Uda rams were divided into four groups comprising five animals each, and were offered 0, 3, 6, and 9 g/kg leaf of M. oleifera leaf in their diets, respectively. Semen sample was collected fortnightly using an electro-ejaculator and used to determine semen pH, consistency, colour, volume, sperm motility, semen concentration, percentage of live sperm cells and abnormalities throughout the study. The semen pH was neutral to alkaline, while consistency and colour ranged from thin to thick and milky to creamy in all the groups. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in semen volume, sperm motility, semen concentration, and percentage of live sperm cells in the groups fed M. oleifera compared to the control. Sperm abnormalities were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the M. oleifera rams compared to the control. The study reveals that M. oleifera at 3, 6, and 9 g/kg can improve semen quality.