EFFECT OF Zn SUPPLEMENTATION (ZnSO4) ON SPERM MORPHOMETRY OF MURRAH BUFFALO BULLS (BUBALUS BUBALIS)

The objective of the present study was to study the effect of zinc supplementation (ZnSO4) on sperm morphometry of the Murrah buffalo bulls. Eight apparently healthy, sexually mature and clinically normal Murrah buffalo bulls of similar body weight and age group (nearly 3.0 to 6.5 years) were randomly divided into two groups: control and ING groups. The Diet for both the groups was the same except that the ING group was supplemented with 40 ppm zinc (zinc sulfate; analytical grade) for 150 days, including 30-day adaptation period. Zn was weighted as per the requirement of individual bulls and mixed with a weighed amount of concentrate mixture for feeding. The amount of Zn supplementation was adjusted at fortnight 14 intervals depending upon the total dry matter intake of individual bulls. Spermatozoa with intact acrosomes were selected and assessed using an immersion lens (1,000X) and standard illumination. The software made it possible to take linear measurements of each spermatozoon: head length, head width, head base, tail length, acrosomal cap length and acrosomal cap width. The results did not show any significant (P>0.10) effect of Zn supplementation on sperm morphometry. It can be concluded that Zn supplementation had no effect on sperm morphometry.