L-Carnitine Effect on Quantity and Quality of African Black Neck Ostrich Sperm

To investigate the effect of dietary L-carnitine on ostrich sperm quantity and quality, a study was conducted in a completely randomized design consisting of three treatments and four replicates (total 12 male ostriches). The experimental rations were prepared using different levels of carnitine (L-1 = 0, L-2 = 250 and L-3 = 500 mg kg(-1)). Ejaculates were collected by massage method once a month for three months. The ejaculate volume, total sperm numbers per ejaculate, concentration of spermatozoa, sperm motility, live sperm percentage and abnormal sperm percentage were measured. Semen volume in both groups (250 and 500 mg kg(-1)) was higher than control group, (p<0.01), L-carnitine treated ostriches (250 and 500 mg kg(-1)) have increased sperm count, sperm motility, live sperm (p<0.05) but L-carnitine had no significant effect on abnormal sperm. According to this study it is recommended to use 250 mg kg(-1) L-carnitine in order to increase the ejaculate quality in ostriches.