Effects of garlic feeding on certain biochemical constituents and sperm motility in chicken

Attempt has been made to investigate the effect of garlic feeding on some biochemical constituents like cholesterol and glucose levels in serum and semen along with its effect on sperm motility during short-term in vitro preservation in chicken. Healthy cockerels (10) were taken at randomly from a flock and were administered clove of garlic through the oral route with 1g (low dose) or 4g (high dose)/kg body weight daily for a period of 20 weeks with effect from 12 week of age. The birds of control group received only standard feed ad libitum. Blood and semen samples were collected at different time intervals between 24 to 32 week of age for cholesterol and glucose examination. Dietary garlic significantly (P<0.01) reduced the cholesterol and glucose level in both the biological fluids. However, glucose content in the semen could not be detected. In another study, semen samples obtained from the above experimental and control birds were analyzed to investigate the effect of garlic feeding on sperm motility under in vitro storage at 5°C. High doses of garlic feeding resulted in better sperm motility at low temperature for different time intervals. From this study it may be concluded that garlic feeding can reduce the cholesterol and glucose levels in different biological fluids.