Effect of Different Aqueous Extract Doses of Mugworts (Artemisia herba alba) on Some Cocks Semen Characteristics

Abstract

This study is designed to determine the effects of Artemisia herba alba extract on the semen characteristics of layer cocks. 32 Leghorn cocks (7-month-old, Average weight 1.4 kg) were treated with 1.5 ml/bird/day 5%, 10% and 15% dose of Mugworts (Artemisia herba alba) extracts, respectively. After 21 days, semen was collected by dorsal and abdominal massage. Concentration of (10%) a significantly increased (p≤0.05) sperm motility, mass motility and viability. However, (15%) treatment significantly reduced (p≤0.05) sperm viability and count test, as compared to other treatments. The second and third groups significantly reduced abnormal sperm, as compared to check treatment. The best rate of the Artemisia herba alba extract is 10% and the concentration of 15% may detrimental to the fertility of the cocks.