Improving Semen Quality of rams fed with ration containing protected maggot oil

Abstract

Abstract Black soldier fly maggot oil has emerged as a potential alternative energy source for livestock because of its high-fat content, which contains lauric, myristic, oleic, and palmitic acids that are known to improve livestock reproduction. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding protected maggot oil at different levels on the macroscopic and microscopic ram sperm quality. The study used 15 local rams with an age of approximately 10–12 months. The study used a randomized group design with treatments in the form of concentrates containing different levels of protected maggot oil: P0(0 protected maggot oil (control)), P1(4% protected maggot oil), and P2(8% protected maggot oil). The variables measured were nutrient consumption, blood cholesterol levels, scrotal circumference, and sperm quality. The data obtained were analysed using ANOVA. The results showed that there were no significant differences in the consumption of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, scrotal circumference, and semen macroscopic quality. The 4% and 8% protected maggot oil treatments produced significantly (p < 0.05) higher consumption of lauric, myristic, and oleic acids, blood cholesterol levels, and sperm motility than the control, but there were no significant differences between P1 and P2. It can be concluded that protected maggot oil up to 8% can increase the availability of lauric, myristic, and oleic fatty acids, and improve microscopic sperm quality.