Semen and Testicular Dynamics of Mature Nigerian Indigenous Cocks Administered Exogenous Follicle Stimulating and Luteinizing Hormone (Menotropin)

Background and Objective: This study was conducted to examine the synergistic effect of exogenous Follicles Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) on semen, spermatogenesis and testicular dynamics using Menotropin injection.Materials and Methods: About 72 mature Nigerian indigenous cocks, comprised of the frizzle feather, naked neck and normal feathered were randomly divided into four groups (T 1 , T 2 , T 3 and T 4 ) of 18 cocks each, at 3 replicated with 6 cocks per replicate.The cocks were intramuscularly injected with different doses of Menotropin at 0.0 mL, 0.10 mL, 0.20 mL and 0.30 mL, respectively.Semen samples were collected by abdominal massage and examined for macroscopic and microscopic indices.Semen was evaluated for concentration, pH, color, volume, viscosity, spermatozoa counts, morphology and many more.The various testicular dynamics were determined.Results: There were significantly (p<0.05)improvements in semen volume (T 1 0.55 -T 4 0.83 mL), concentration (T 1 3.21 -T 4 4.40×10 9 mLG 1 ), consistency (T 1 2.67 -T 4 4.00), pH (T 1 7.40 -T 4 7.14), spermatozoa motility (T 1 60.25 -T 4 83.20%),live proportion (T 1 74.62 -T 4 89.56%),viable spermatozoa (T 1 9.80 -T 3 31.08×10 12 mLG 1 ) and the total number of spermatozoa (T 1 1.77 -T 2 3.78×10 9 mLG 1 ), while, spermatozoa abnormalities (T 1 22.33 -T 4 10.87%) significantly reduced.Conclusion: The exogenous FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) at 0.10 and 0.20 mL had synergistic effects on the semen and testicular dynamics of the cocks as they improved the semen characteristics and had no adverse effects on the testicular dynamics.The dosage at 0.10mL produced the best results, while up to 0.30 mL Menotropin negatively impacted some semen parameters of the cocks.