Supplementation of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal block on the quality of Bali bull semen

Abstract

Abstract The low calving rate of Bali cattle followed by a decrease in productivity is related to the low quality of semen produced by a male as a genetic carrier for their offspring. This study aimed to determine the effect of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal block on the semen quality of Bali bull. This study was using 10 Bali bulls aged from 1.5 to 2 years which were divided into two treatment groups. Each group consisting of 5 bulls that were supplemented with Moringa leaf block flour in the diet (P1) and the other 5 bulls as control, P2 (without treatment). The parameters measured in this study were the percentage of microscopic evaluation (mass motility, individual motility, progressive motility). Each parameter in each treatment was compared using the T-test (independent sample t-test). The results of this study indicate that the macroscopic evaluation of semen in P1 was a slightly thick consistency, a slightly milky white color, a distinctive odor, while in P2 it is moderate consistency, slightly translucent color, and specific odor. The volume and pH at which the mean P1 was 1.23 ± 0.57, 6.86 ± 0.33, at P2 was 1.44 ± 0.56, 7.05 ± 0.39, respectively (P>0.05). The results of this study showed that microscopic semen evaluation of bulls supplemented with Moringa leaf block flour in the diet (P1) had significantly (P<0.05) higher than without supplementation (P2). Microscopic evaluation of semen on P1 showed that the mean values of individual motility, concentration, and abnormality were 80.65 ± 5.26, 1.156×106/ml, and 17.31 ± 3.60, respectively, and P2 were 73.23 ± 7.36, 724×106/ml, and 24.10 ± 6.34, respectively. The mean values of mass motility, progressive motility and viability of P1 were (++) 80%, 67.20 ± 6.32, 91.58 ± 7.93, respectively and P2 were (++) 70%, 60.19 ± 7.49, 88.08 ± 11.34, respectively. It can be concluded that supplementation of Moringa leaf block in the diet of Bali bulls can improve the quality of semen.