SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS, GONADAL SPERM RESERVES, TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RABBIT BUCKS ADMINISTERED Cissus quadrangularis SUPPLEMENT DURING THE HOT-DRY SEASON
SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS, GONADAL SPERM RESERVES, TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY AND HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF RABBIT BUCKS ADMINISTERED Cissus quadrangularis SUPPLEMENT DURING THE HOT-DRY SEASON
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-11
Authors
KOLO, Hyacinth Ndabatsado
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of Cissus quadrangularis supplement on the semen characteristics, gonadal sperm reserves, testicular histology and haematological parameters of New Zealand rabbit bucks during the hot-dry season in Zaria, Nigeria. Twenty four rabbit bucks weighing an average of 2.2 ± 0.5 kg were randomly distributed into four groups (A, B, C and D) of six bucks each: A served as the control, while B, C and D were the experimental groups and administered with 125 mg/mL, 250 mg/mL and 500 mg/mL of the supplementrespectively for 12 weeks. The data collected during the period of study were mean dailyambient temperature and relative humidity, weekly semen samples and live body weight, bi-weekly blood samples for haematology and extraction of serum for analysis of testosterone and antioxidant biomarkers. They were evaluated for eight weeks pre-administration and 12 weeks post-administration. Thereafter, two bucks were humanely euthanized from each group for histological examination of the testis and gonadal and epididymal sperm reserves. The mean sperm volume, motility, concentration, pH, live ratio, spermatozoa morphological defects, gonadal and epididymal lengths, weights and sperm reserves of the experimental groups did not differ (P> 0.05) significantly, when compared with the controls. Also haematological parameters (PCV, RBC, WBC and haemoglobin values) did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the groups. The mean testosterone level (P = 0.0197 and 0.0107), antioxidant biomarker – mean of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.0038) and malondialdehyde concentration (P = 0.0055) were significantly differentfrom the controls. Vacuolations and hyperplastic Leydig cells were observed inall treated groups,indicative of testicular degeneration. It was concludedthat the supplement of Cissus quadrangularis has some ameliorative effects on semen characteristics, gonadal sperm reserves, testicular histology and haematological parameters of New Zealand white rabbit bucks.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN THERIOGENOLOGY AND PRODUCTION
DEPARTMENT OF THERIOGENOLOGY AND PRODUCTION
FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS,, GONADAL SPERM RESERVES,, TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY,, HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS,, RABBIT BUCKS ADMINISTERED Cissus quadrangularis SUPPLEMENT,, HOT-DRY SEASON