Snail Mucus Enhances the Motility of Fresh Goat Semen Preserved in Egg Yolk Extender

The effect of snail mucus on sperm motility (SM) and viability (% live-dead ratio) (LDR) of fresh goat semen extended in egg-yolk was evaluated. Semen was collected from four adult West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks using an electroejaculator under diazepam (0.3mg/kg) and ketamine (5mg/kg) anaesthesia. After collection, the semen were pooled together and divided into four different extenders comprising: (a) 20 mls of egg yolk (E); (b) 10 mls of egg yolk and 10 mls of 1% snail mucus (EM1); (c) 5mls of egg yolk and 15mls of 1% snail mucus (EM2) and (d) 20mls of 1% snail mucus (M) respectively at the rate of 5ml of extender to 0.5 ml of goat semen. Each part was again split into three parts and either refrigerated (5 degrees C), stored at room temperature (25 degrees C) or placed in water bath (37 degrees C) respectively. Both the SM and LDR were assessed at 0, 1, 3, 5, 12 and 24 hours of storage. The procedure was repeated four times and the means values determined. Data were compared using 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with a 5% significance level. In this study, none of the extenders was able to maintain sperm motility for up to 12 hours. The SM was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in EM1, than in other extenders. Only EM1 extender was able to maintain the sperm motility above 50% for up to five hours of storage time. Similarly, the LDR was significantly (P<0.05) higher in EM1 compared to other extenders. Also, none of the storage temperatures significantly (P> 0.05) influenced SM and LDR of the semen. It was therefore, concluded that addition of snail mucus to egg yolk improved the motility and percentage live-dead ratio of fresh goat semen for up to five hours, however this effect was dependent on the volume of the snail mucus added.