COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TESTICULAR DIMENSIONS, GONADAL AND EPIDIDYMAL SPERM RESERVES OF BUNAJI, BOKOLOJI AND RAHAJI BREEDS OF ZEBU CATTLE
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TESTICULAR DIMENSIONS, GONADAL AND EPIDIDYMAL SPERM RESERVES OF BUNAJI, BOKOLOJI AND RAHAJI BREEDS OF ZEBU CATTLE
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Date
2021-04
Authors
IGE, Taiwo Adebola
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Abstract
This study was undertaken to comparatively evaluate testicular dimensions (TD), gonadal
sperm reserves (GSR) and epididymal sperm reserves (ESR) in the three major Nigeria
indigenous breeds of Zebu cattle. Sixty (60) bulls comprising of 20 Bunaji, 20 Bokoloji and
20 Rahaji breeds of 3-6 years of age were used for this study. Age was estimated using their
dentition. Their body weights were estimated using a girth tape. Body condition score was
measured using the five-score scale. Scrotal circumference (SC) measurements were done
using a flexible measuring tape. The testicles were collected post-slaughter at the abattoirs
and conveyed to the laboratory using an ice insulated container and the testicles were
analysed for their TD, GSR and ESR. The overall mean values for age, body weight, body
condition score and SC for the Bunaji bulls were 3.50 ± 0.12 years, 329.50 ± 11.28 kg, 3.05 ±
0.20 score and 28.33 ± 0.69 cm respectively; for Bokoloji bulls were 4.10 ± 0.23 years,
392.90 ± 18.59 kg, 3.00 ± 0.11 score and 33.70 ± 1.47 cm respectively; and for the Rahaji
bulls were 5.4 ± 0.17 years, 396.8 ± 13.15 kg, 3.30 ± 0.06 score and 30.90 ± 0.78 cm,
respectively. Bokoloji bulls had the highest mean value of SC than Rahaji and Bunaji breeds.
The overall mean values for the paired testicular volume (PTV), paired testicular weight
(PTW), average testicular length (ATL) and GSR were 354.50 ± 30.52 cm3, 347.43 ± 25.37
g, 10.72 ± 0.31 cm and 55.75 ±6.19 x 109/g respectively for the Bunaji bulls; 288.50 ± 18.59
cm3, 292.55 ± 15.89 g, 10.11 ± 0.20 cm, and 45.90 ±13.31 x 109/g respectively for the
Bokoloji bulls; and, 348.50 ± 14.31 cm3, 331.38 ± 14.77 g, 10.89 ± 0.22 cm and 53.97 ±6.33
x 109/g respectively for the Rahaji bulls. Bokoloji bulls had lower values for PTV, PTW and
ATL than Rahaji and Bunaji bulls and they all had similar GSR. The mean value of
epididymal weights were all similar across the breed. Bunaji bulls recorded lower mean
values of epididymal length when compared with the others. The overall mean count for the
ESR were 178.50 ±39.22 x 109/gm, 24.23 ± 2.77 x 109/gm and 13.44 ± 2.24 x 109/gm for Bunaji, Bokoloji and Rahaji bulls respectively. Bunaji bulls had significant higher mean
count when compared with the others. The inter relationship between independent and
dependent variables showed significant positive correlation of age with TD, GSR and ESR
mostly in Bunaji bulls, few in Bokoloji bulls and mostly negative insignificant correlations in
Rahaji bull. Positive and significant correlations were seen between SC with TD, GSR and
ESR except between SC and ATL in Bunaji, SC and GSR in Rahaji and several in the
Bokoloji bulls. Positive and significant correlations were seen between GSR with PTV and
PTW in Bunaji and Bokoloji bulls, GSR with ATL in Bokoloji bulls, ESR with PEW and
AEL in Bunaji and Rahaji bulls. The result of this study demonstrated that Bunaji bulls had
higher mean counts of sperm reserves and a better testicular dimension in relation with the
sperm reserves.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE
AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN THERIOGENOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF THERIOGENOLOGY AND PRODUCTION
FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
COMPARATIVE STUDY,, TESTICULAR DIMENSIONS,, GONADAL,, EPIDIDYMAL SPERM RESERVES,, BUNAJI,, BOKOLOJI,, RAHAJI BREEDS,, ZEBU CATTLE.