Semen quality parameters and selected bio-chemical constituents level in plasma of Lohi rams

The current study was conducted to determine the level of some major biochemical constituents in seminal plasma of Lohi rams, and its correlation with semen physical characteristic. For this purpose six mature healthy rams were selected from the sheep herd maintained at Livestock Production and Research Institute, Bahadurnagar, Okara. All the experimental rams were kept under similar feeding and management conditions. Total 48 semen samples were collected during the breeding season (mid-autumn). Immediately after the collection samples were subjected to quantitative and qualitative sperm parameters. Seminal plasma was separated by centrifugation at 3000 × g for 20 min and samples were stored at −20 °C till the analysis. The mean concentration of Na, K, Mg, Cu, P, Zn, and total protein (TP) in seminal plasma was 222.90 mg/dl, 48.21 ppm, 10.77 mg/dl, 2.22 mg/dl, 10.26 mg/dl, 0.35 ppm and 1.87 mg/dl respectively. Statistical analysis of the data showed the significant negative correlation between biochemical constituent (Na, Mg, Cu) and sperm characteristics (ejaculated volume, mass activity, motility percentage, sperm concentration and spermatozoa abnormalities). There was significantly positive correlation between biochemical constituent (Zn, TP, P) and sperm characteristics (ejaculated volume, mass activity, motility percentage and sperm concentration). However they were negatively correlated with sperm abnormalities.