UB Faculty of Animal Science Lecturer Inaugurated as Professor of Animal Reproduction

Dr. Ir. Sri Wahjuningsih, M.Sc., a lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB), obtained the title of professor in the field of animal reproduction. The determination is based on the Decree of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia dated July 7, 2021. The

inauguration is conducted by the UB senate chairman Saturday (29/1/2022) online. This means increasing the number of professors at Fapet UB to 19 people. At the event, he delivered a scientific speech entitled “Supplementation of Moringa Leaf Extract (Moringa Oleifera) in Semen Diluent as an Effort to improve Goat Frozen’s quality. Tris for Artificial Insemination.”

According to him, Artificial Insemination (AI) is an Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART) that has the most significant contribution and is widely used to increase livestock population and genetic quality. However, AI in goats has not been carried out optimally by breeders.

 “The factors that determine the success of AI are the selection of acceptor females, semen deposition method, the accuracy of estrus detection, proper timing of IB, inseminator skills, and quality of semen (sperm).” said the lecturer who was interested in livestock production. 

The semen used was frozen semen, semen collected from superior males, diluted with diluent, and then put in a mini straw with a specific concentration. The freezing process is carried out then stored in a container containing liquid nitrogen with a temperature of -196 oC.

However, this process causes a significant level of damage to the spermatozoa. So we need a diluent formula that can protect spermatozoa from clod shock and has a high preservation power. 

“The formula needed is a compound containing free radical-scavenging antioxidants,” said Wahyu (Sri Wahyuningsih’s nickname)

Through his research, he found a solution by using Moringa leaf extract as a Tris-aminomethan-egg yolk diluent on semen quality before freezing, post thawing fertility testing in vivo through IB Moringa leaves are rich in antioxidants, phenolic acids, flavonoids. Carotene and vitamin C are natural antioxidants with the highest antioxidant activity. Functions as an inhibitor to inhibit oxidation by reacting with reactive free radicals to form relatively stable unreactive free radicals. 

“Supplementation of Moringa in Tris-aminomethan-egg yolk diluent has the potential to improve the quality of frozen goat semen, with an optimum concentration of 3%,” he concluded (dta)