The effect of oral administration of vitamin. E and selenium on semen quality and viability for awassi rams

Abstract

AbstractThis study was carried out at Sheep and Goat Farm that pertaining to the Department of Animal Resources, College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad during the period from October, 2009 to March, 2010 to investigate the influence of vitamin E and selenium on semen characteristics and viability in Awassi rams. Eight rams with average body weight 52 kg and 2-4 years old were randomly divided into 4 equal groups(2rams group).The first group was regard as control whereas groups 2-4 were weakly administration with 200mg vitamin E(1),5600µg/head of selenium(2) and 200mg vitamin E +5600µg of selenium/head (3) respectively.Better (P<0.05) semen characteristics were observed in vitamin E and selenium administered rams as compared with control group. Moreover, group 4 (vitamin E+selenium) was superior (P<0.05) in semen viability in comparison with other experimental groups.