Motility of boar semen extended with scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum lin) extract

Scent leaf which is botanically known as Ocimum gratissimum belongs to the family Labiatae. It is well known for its antibacterial and antioxidative properties. It has been well documented for its medicinal attributes however; there is a dearth of information on scent leaf extract in semen extension to improve quality of spermatozoa. Therefore, effect of scent leaf extract on spermatozoa motility in extended porcine semen was investigated. Boar semen was extended with four different concentration of scent leaf extract (0.5%, 1.0%, 1,5% and 2.0%) included in Beltsvile thawing solution extender and preserved at 17 ⁰C for 48 hours. Scent leaf extract effects on spermatozoa motility were evaluated at 0, 24 and 48 hours of storage. From the results obtained at 0 hour Progressive motility (PM) was similar in all the treatments T1-T6 (98.0±0.1%). At 24 hours, Progressive motility (PM) was highest in T1 (96.6±0.5%) and least in T2 (61.6±2.8%). At 48 hours, PM was highest in T1 (89.7±0.6%) and least in T2 (58.3±2.9%). The results revealed that scent leaf extract enhanced sperm motility during storage. Scent leaf extract inclusion in boar semen extender sustained boar spermatozoa till 48hours of preservation.