EFFECT OF OKARA SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE SEMEN QUALITY OF DARAG PHILIPPINE NATIVE CHICKEN

Abstract

Avian sperm can suffer oxidative damage, affecting male fertility due to their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content. This study investigated the effect of a diet supplemented with dried soybean pulp (okara) on the semen quality of the Darag Philippine native chicken. Twenty-eight (28) roosters, blocked by five age groups, were randomly assigned to two treatments: (1) fed only 65 grams of commercial feed, and (2) fed with 65 grams containing 80% commercial feed and 20% dried okara daily for two months. The initial and final body weights and daily feed intake were recorded.  Semen quality was evaluated monthly using a computer-assisted semen analyzer (CASA). Fertility of roosters was assessed based on the fertile eggs produced after artificial insemination of hens. Results showed no significant differences in the final body weight, average feed intake, semen morphology, motility, and fertility. Interestingly, okara-fed roosters had a higher frequency of creamy semen (P=0.0123) and with no incidence of watery semen, had higher semen volume (P=0.0048) and sperm concentration (P=0.0140) on the second month of feeding and higher overall semen concentration (P=0.0048). Further, replacing 20% of the diet with dried okara reduced feed costs by 10%. In conclusion, 20% okara supplementation proves to be cost-effective and shows potential to enhance semen quality in Darag Philippine native chicken without affecting body weight and feed intake.