| Popis: |
The semen used in this study was collected from 77 Rhode Island Breeder cocks reared in battery cages under intensive management from a private farm in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria using the back massage procedure, 27 of the 77 semen samples (35.1%) contained bacterial isolates. None of the samples grew fungi. Bacteria isolates obtained from the semen include: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Proteus species and Klebsiella species. Seventy of the semen samples were negative for brucellosis but seven samples exhibited Brucella specie agglutinins using tube agglutination test and the level of antibody titres are 61.5, 82.0 and 102.5 iu/ml respectively. The pressence of Brucella agglutinin detected in this study is significant since brucellosis is of public health and economic significance. In addition, the presence of bacteria contaminants in semen should be viewed with seriousness. As a consequence, routine control of bacteria in collected semen seems desirable. This study sought to identify the bacterial flora and pathogens in semen collected from cocks and see how they may be effectively reduced or destroyed in the interest of the efficient collection, preservation and delivery of highly fertile semen artificially. Areas for further investigations were highlighted.Keywords: Cocks, Semen. Bacterial flora, Artificial Insemination, Rhode Island Breeder. |
