Effects of Allium cepa L. peels extract on gonadotropins, testosterone and sperm variables in Oba Marshal broiler cocks

Allium cepa (onion), a natural seasoning agent that contains significant amounts of potent antioxidants in its scaly leaves is used in folkloric medicine to manage several diseases globally. Antioxidants have an essential effect on sperm health parameters; however, there is limited information on the effects of Allium cepa scaly leaf extract on reproductive functions in Oba Marshal breeder cocks. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the aqueous extract of Allium cepa scaly leaf on reproductive functions in sexually matured Oba Marshal breeder cocks. Allium cepa bulbs were obtained from a market in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Dry scaly leaves were peeled, pulverised, macerated in distilled water, filtered and concentrated. Twenty, 42 weeks old Oba Marshal breeder cocks (3.48 – 3.62 kg) were divided into 4 groups (n = 5) and treated daily for 2 weeks thus: CT (control, distilled water, 0.5 mL/kg), T2 (extract 200 mg/kg/bird), T4 (extract 400 mg/kg/bird), T8 (extract 800 mg/kg/bird). Sperm characteristics were assessed microscopically. Testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were analysed using ELISA. Data were analysed using ANOVA at α0.05. Treated birds had significantly (p < 0.05) higher sperm motility, morphology but non-significant changes in sperm viability and concentration compared with the controls. Also, serum FSH and LH significantly increased, while testosterone had no significant change in test groups compared to the control. Aqueous extract of Allium cepa scaly leaf improved testicular functions and morphology in the test cocks. The reproductive function enhancement of the extract may be due to its antioxidant effect. Keywords: Allium cepa, Breeding, Broiler cocks, Spermatogenesis, Testosteron

Effect of season on reproduction in west African Dwarf Bucks

This study was conducted to determine effects of season on some reproductive parameters of WAD bucks. Nine apparently healthy WAD bucks, aged between 18 and 24 months and weighing 8-15 Kg, were used to evaluate the effect of seasonal variations on Live-Weight (LW), Rectal Temperature (RT) and Scrotal Circumference (SC) between January and December, 2013. Semen was collected monthly by electro-ejaculation method and evaluated for spermiogram using standard techniques. Results were compared between and within groups using analysis of variance for repeated measures. Values are significant at p ˂ 0.05. Seasonal variation significantly (p ˂ 0.05) affected RT and SC except total sperm morphological abnormalities. Means for the total sperm morphological abnormalities were 7.42 ± 3.21% (late dry), 3.42 ± 0.36% (early rainy), 6.33 ± 0.33% (late rainy) and 7.25 ± 1.18% (early dry). The total morphologically abnormal spermatozoa reported for the seasonal study was 6.10%. It was thus concluded that seasons does not have significant effect on the spermiogram of WAD buck, however, they appeared to be most fertile during the early and late rainy seasons and least potentially fertile during early and late dry seasons.Keywords: Spermiogram, Season, Buck, Rectal temperature, Reproductio

Assessment of mango and carrot juices as West African Dwarf ram semen extender at room temperature

Quality and affordable semen extenders are essential for successful artificial insemination. Extenders from natural sources have been found to be effective and affordable. Using two matured West African Dwarf rams (18.67±1.45kg), the effectiveness of graded mixtures of mango and carrot juices (100% Mango (M), 100% Carrot (C) 90%M10%C, 70%M30%C, 50%M50%C, 30%M70%C and 10%M90%C), and conventional egg yolk citrate (EYC) as ram semen extender was studied. Each diluent was constituted in five aliquots using standard methods and pH determined electronically. Semen collection in three trials using electro-ejaculator method was followed by evaluation for colour, volume, pre-extended sperm motility, concentration, percentage liveability and morphological normality. Thereafter, semen were extended with different diluents by adding 0.2ml of semen to 7.5ml of diluents. Immediately, hourly evaluation for sperm motility from zero to eight hours then twenty-four hours post-extension was done. Diluents revealed in the study as the most effective semen extender were subjected to proximate analyses. The pH of the diluents ranged from 4.56±0.11 (70%M30%C) to 6.40± 0.14 (90%C10%M). The mean ejaculate volume was 0.8±0.00ml while colour observed was creamy. The pre-extended mean spermatozoa motility, morphological abnormality, percentage liveability and concentration were 94.5±4.5%, 7.0±2.83%, 88.75±2.5% and 0.3×109 sperm cell/ml respectively. Spermatozoa motility declined progressively in all the diluents from 0-24hours post-extension. The decline was observed to be significantly rapid (p≤0.05) in 100%Carrot diluent from 94±2.4% at zero hour to 0% at three hours post extension. Only diluents 90%M10%C, 100%M and Egg Yolk Citrate provided sperm motility score of 30% and above at eight hours post extension. Proximate analyses of 90%M10%C and 100%M revealed presence of essential minerals which are found to be naturally occurring in ram ejaculate. The work established that mixture of mango and carrot (90%M10%C) and 100% mango juices could be used as a suitable semen extender in preserving West African Ram semen at room temperature