Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences

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, pre-vaccination, 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.

Keywords: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR); PPR Vaccine; Semen Characteristics; West African Dwarf goats.

How to cite this article:
Raji LO, Uko IB, Omoniyi BO, Olatunde AO, Adeyemi AB, Osuagwuh UI, Nwaigwe CO and Nwaigwe CU
(2024). Effects of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) vaccination on the semen characteristics of West
African Dwarf goat bucks. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(1): 404 – 410.

*Correspondence: E-mail: raji.lo@unilorin.edu.ng Phone: +2348038261951

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

Lukman O. Raji ^{1 *}, Iranyang B. Uko ², Bilikis O. Omoniyi ¹, Akintunde O. Olatunde ¹, Ayobola B. Adeyemi ¹, Uchebuchi I. Osuagwuh ³, Chukwuemeka O. Nwaigwe ⁴ and Chioma U. Nwaigwe ⁵1 Department of Theriogenology and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
²Department of Animal Production and Health, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
³Department of Theriogenology, College of Veterinary Medicine Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia state, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Animal Health and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
⁵Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.