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Abstract

Twenty sexually matured (24 weeks old) healthy Harco cocks were used to determine the effect of Gonadotrophin (Diclair®) on semen characteristics, testicular morphometry and hormonal profile. The cocks were divided into 4 treatment groups of 5 cocks per group identified as T1 (control) administered with 1ml physiological saline, T2, administered with 13.50i.u Diclair®, T3 27.00i.u and T4, administered with 40.50i.u Diclair®, with one cock per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The injections were divided into three doses each and administered intramuscularly in the thigh for three consecutive days. Semen was collected one week after Diclair® administration, twice a week for 4 weeks by the abdominal massage and manipulation of the cloaca method. Five cocks were randomly selected from each treatment group and bled one week after Diclair® injections to collect blood for hormonal profile evaluation. The results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in all the semen parameters; semen volume, semen pH, individual motility, sperm concentration, proportions of dead sperm cells and live sperm cells. The results further showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in testicular, epididymal and vas deferens weights. Similarly, the results showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels. The results of this study suggest that Diclair® treatment enhanced semen quality, testicular development and was not detrimental to the hormonal profile of the cocks.