Cryopreservation induces oxidative stress on sperm due to an increase in the number of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby resulting in decreased sperm quality. ROS's destructive potential is normally counteracted in sperm by their innate antioxidant system consisting of enzymes, which include superoxide dismutase (SOD). This study aimed to assess the quality of semen from Itik Pinas-Khaki (IP-Khaki) drakes that were cryopreserved with either 4.5% DMSO or 7.0% glycerol as cryoprotectant through evaluation of total sperm motility (%) and determination of SOD activity (U/mL). Here, semen samples were collected from 12 sexually mature IP-Khaki drakes, an improved egg-type breed of Philippine mallard duck, and processed using modified reported cryopreservation procedure for ducks. Results showed that post-thawing total sperm motility averages of 12.04±5.61% using 4.5% DMSO and 13.99±5.28% using 7.0% glycerol were comparable. Moreover, similar SOD activity levels of 0.39±0.18 U/mL with 4.5% DMSO and 0.33±0.21 U/mL with 7.0% glycerol in 2.00 x 108 IP-Khaki sperm cells were also observed. The observed very low intracellular SOD activity indicates severe damage to sperm cells due to cryopreservation, which resulted in a comparably low total sperm motility with either of the cryoprotectants. Thus, the cryopreservation protocol used is not the optimum for IP-Khaki semen based on the observed considerable decline in sperm motility and very low SOD activity after cryopreservation.

This study was conducted to evaluate the genetic variation in the growth hormone (GH) gene and the influence of GH polymorphisms on the milk yield in crossbred Anglo-Nubian goats (n = 101) from three selected dairy farms in the Philippines. The first two farms were located in Barangay Awang, Opol, Misamis Oriental, while the third farm was situated in Barangay Talay, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Milk production data from the first to ≥ fourth parity was standardized to a 90-d and 140-d milking period. Genomic DNA was isolated from hair follicles and the A781G region of the caprine GH gene was amplified. Genotyping was performed via polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using the HaeIII restriction enzyme (RE). Genotypic frequencies of 0.76 for AB and 0.24 for AA and allelic frequencies of 0.62 for A and 0.38 for B were recorded. In order to determine the effect of genotypes to milk yield, a two-way factorial (2 x 4) in randomized complete block design (RCBD) was performed. GH genotypes (AA, AB) and goat parities (first to ≥ fourth lactation) were considered as the main factors, while the three farms were used as the blocking factor. Milk yield traits between GH genotypes were insignificant (p > 0.05). However, dairy goats with AB genotype consistently produced higher milk yield than those with AA. Future studies should be conducted in other goat breeds to further expound the effects of GH polymorphism on economically important traits in addition to milk yield.

The use of udder morphometry is often neglected during the selection of replacement gilts. This study was aimed to characterize the udder morphometry of primiparous Landrace x Large White sows across different production stages; and to show its relationship to some mothering ability traits. A total of 20 primiparous Landrace x Large White sows were bred. For each sow, the udder morphometry was characterized by measuring traits like teat tip diameter (DIA), teat length (LEN), inter-teat distance on the same row (SAMER), adjacent teat base distance on opposite row (OPPR), and teat tip to floor distance (FLO) during pre-breeding, post-breeding, and post-farrowing stages. A comparison of observed traits was also made between left and right udders as well as between anterior and posterior udders. Furthermore, the relationship between mothering ability and udder morphometry was evaluated using correlation and regression analyses. Across stages, udder traits were symmetric; however, higher values were measured for traits in posterior than in anterior udders. In the pre-breeding stage, OPPR and FLO of the anterior part had moderate negative correlations to average weaning weight (AWWt) and average daily gain (ADG). On the other hand, in the post-breeding stage, OPPR of the posterior part had a moderate positive correlation to litter size born alive (LSBA) but had a moderate negative correlation to average birth weight (ABWt). Furthermore, IgG content in the colostrum had a strong positive correlation to SAMER of the anterior part but had a strong negative correlation to FLO of the anterior part. It can be concluded that the pre-breeding combined with postbreeding udder morphometry measurements in gilts is useful as a predictor of sow mothering ability. These traits can be included in the criteria when selecting replacement gilts to enhance the productivity of sow herd.

Computer-assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA)- based analysis of extended semen from 18 adult Paraoakan Philippine native chickens using coconut water (CW) with either tomato juice or garlic extract were carried out in this study. Only extended semen samples passing the preliminary quality evaluation were further analyzed. Pooled semen were randomly distributed into four types of semen extender: (1) Ringer’s solution (RS), (2) RS + 20% CW + 0.02 g sodium phosphate (SP), (3) RS + 20% CW + 7% tomato juice + 0.04 g SP, and (4) RS + 20% CW + 2% garlic extract + 0.04 g SP and stored at either low (7–10 °C) or room (22–25 °C) temperature. The procedure was done for 13 collection periods, which served as the blocking factor. Results showed that except for garlic-supplemented extender, semen diluted with other types of extender and maintained at low temperature (7–10 °C) demonstrated the longest average shelf life, which is characterized by the period of time observed before sperm motility falls below 20%. Collectively, the addition of 20% CW on RS, with supplementation of 7% tomato juice can maintain sperm motility above 20% for 24 h at low temperature. This can be attributed to the chemical composition of CW and tomato juice that are beneficial to sperm cell metabolism, control of pH, and osmotic pressure and inhibition of microbial growth. Results also showed that CW can be used as an effective and economical partial substitute to RS.

This study aims to determine the comparative effects of potentiated zinc oxide (pZnO) and antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) supplementation on intestinal morphometry and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. Four hundred straight-run day-old broiler chicks were randomly allotted to one of four dietary treatments replicated 10 times with 10 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were: T1: Basal diets without AGP (negative control; NC), T2: Basal diets with 500 g/ton Maduramicin 10g and 500 g/ton Zinc bacitracin 150 (positive control; PC), T3: NC added with 150g/ton pZnO, and T4: PC added with 150g/ton pZnO in a 2x2 factorial design in RCBD. At days and 35, 10 birds were randomly selected per treatment 18 for morphometry of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. At day 38, eight birds per treatment were used for the nutrient digestibility study. Results showed significant interaction effects (P<0.05) of AGP and pZnO supplementation on day 35 intestinal morphometry of duodenum’s villi height and villi height: crypt depth, and ileum’s crypt depth; apparent CODGE, AME, CP, DM and EE. Significant differences (P<0.05) with pZnO supplementation were only observed on feed intake and FCR of birds fed with pZnO at days 8-14 and fecal quality at days 0-7. Results of the study suggest that pZnO has the potential to replace AGPs without negatively affecting the intestinal morphometry, digestibility and growth performance of broiler chickens.