Effect of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccination on the semen characteristics of West African Dwarf goat bucks

Abstract

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a very important disease of ruminants. Vaccination with the PPR vaccine is the major strategy adopted for its prevention and control. The effects of PPR vaccination on semen characteristics of goats have not been reported. This study investigated the effects of PPR vaccination on the semen characteristic of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks. Eight (8) apparently healthy, sexually matured WAD bucks were used for the study. The bucks were randomly assigned into two groups (Vaccinated group and Unvaccinated control group) of four bucks each. Bucks in the Vaccinated group were given PPR vaccine while those in the Control group were not vaccinated. Semen samples were collected through the use of electro-ejaculator, prevaccination, and at four and eight weeks post-vaccination. The semen characteristics evaluated included volume, color, sperm mass activity, percentage progressive motility, percentage live-dead ratio and concentration, and the evaluations were done following standard laboratory procedures. Results showed that the colour of the semen remained milky to creamy white in both the Vaccinated group and the Unvaccinated control group. The mean semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, mass activity and live-dead ratio of the Vaccinated bucks on week 4 and 8 post-vaccination did not significantly (p > 0.05) differ from the pre-vaccination values and the values obtained for the Control group. These findings suggest that PRR vaccination as used in this study did not significantly alter the semen characteristics of the WAD goat bucks. PPR vaccine can thus be safely administered to goat bucks during the breeding period.