Spermiogram, microbial contaminants and sensitivity to antibiotics in fresh semen of two poultry lines

This study aimed to isolate bacteria flora in fresh semen of helmeted guinea cock (Numidia meleagris) and Nigeria local turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and determine the sensitivity of the semen microbes to antibiotics with further assessment of sperm quality characteristics in the freshly collected semen. Five matured guinea cocks weighing approximately 3 – 4kg and five matured turkey toms of 10 – 14kg body weights were selected for the study as sperm donors. Semen collection was done twice a week for five weeks using a modified abdominal massage method and ejaculates were pooled independently based on the animal group. The pooled ejaculates in each species were further divided into aliquot A for spermiogram analysis and aliquot B for microbes and antimicrobial sensitivity analysis using standard methods. Results showed that freshly collected semen from both donor birds were contaminated; although, presented good qualities when evaluated for sperm characteristics such as progressive motility (%), livability (%), morphologic abnormalities (%) and concentration (cell×109/ml). Isolated contaminants included Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus spp in fresh semen of the helmeted guinea cocks, similar in turkeys except for Shigella spp. The organisms were all sensitive to streptomycin, gentamycin and pefloxacin except the Staph aureus which showed resistance to pefloxacin and Bacillus spp which was resistant to gentamycin. It was then concluded, that whereas freshly collected semen of guinea cock and turkey toms were contaminated during collection, they still possessed good quality traits when evaluated for semen characteristics and antibiotics like streptomycin, pefloxacin or gentamycin are recommended for use during in-vitro processing and extension of semen from both poultry species.