Characteristics of fresh and frozen-thawed Uda ram semen extended with Oviplus®, egg yolk and coconut milk

Semen characteristics of Uda sheep and the effects of the egg yolk and coconut milkbased extenders on the quality of semen preserved at 4 oC and -196 oC were evaluated. Semen was collected from six Uda rams using an electro-ejaculator twice a week for ten weeks. Fresh semen samples were pooled and analyzed macroscopically and microscopically. The pooled semen was divided into 2 aliquots. One aliquot was extended in OviPlus® and egg yolk. The second aliquot was extended with OviPlus® and coconut milk. Each of the aliquots was further subdivided into 2 parts and evaluated microscopically. One part was chilled at 4 oC and evaluated for the same parameters after extension at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Second part was loaded into 0.25 ml plastic straws for cryopreservation at -196 ℃ and analyzed after 24 hours. The post thaw spermatozoa motility, livability and morphological abnormalities were determined at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The motility and concentration of freshly collected Uda semen were 81.7 ± 1.7 % and 3.2 ± 0.3 ×109/ml respectively. After extension, the motility decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from 82 % at 3 hours to 17 % at 72. The percentage live spermatozoa of the chilled semen did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two extenders. Post thaw spermatozoa motility and livability were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the post-thaw proportions of morphological abnormalities, between semen preserved at 4 oC and the frozen-thawed semen. In conclusion, semen motility, livability, and morphological abnormalities of Uda ram are equally preserved in coconut milk and egg yolk-based extenders at 4 oC up to 24 hours post extension. However, semen motility and livability were significantly reduced in the Uda semen earlier cryopreserved at -196 oC after thawing

Pelvic and Testicular Biometry of Sahel Goats in Maiduguri, Nigeria

This study was carried out to document the pelvic and testicular biometric characteristics of Sahel goats. Record of body weight, body condition score, height at withers, scrotal length, scrotal circumference and external pelvic circumference were obtained from 400 male and 600 female Sahel goats. All the goats were approximately 1.5 years old and weighing 14 to 18 kg, with body condition score of 3 or 4 (scale of 1-5). The mean bodyweight of Sahel bucks was 15.12 ± 1.10 kg while that of Sahel does was 13.22 ± 1.12 kg, height at withers in bucks and does were 52.22 ± 1.20 cm, and 48.13 ± 1.23 cm respectively. The scrotal length and circumference in Sahel bucks were 11.39 ± 1.12 cm and 17.95 ± 1.21 cm respectively. The external pelvic circumference in Sahel does was 55.13 ± 1.16 cm. There was significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between the body weight and body condition score in bucks (r=0.52) and in does (r=0.42). It was observed that there was weak but positive correlation between the body weight and height at withers (r=0.34), in bucks and in does (r=0.25; P < 0.5). A low but significant positive correlation was found between the body weight and scrotal circumference r=0.28, (P < 0.05) in bucks. There was a high and significant positive correlation between the scrotal length and scrotal circumference r=0.66, (P < 0.05). The external pelvic circumference in Sahel does was also significantly positively correlated with body weight r=0.40, (P < 0.05) and with the body condition score r= 0.33, (P < 0.05). The information obtained from this study can be used for breed -specific morphometric characterization of indigenous Sahel goats. Keywords: Biometry; Pelvic circumference; Sahel goat; Testicular parameter

Management of Dystocia Due to Uterine Torsion in a Murah Buffalo Using Schafer’s Technique

Uterine torsion is considered an obstetrical emergency and should be corrected as soon as it is diagnosed. It occurs frequentlyin buffaloes as compared to other species of animals, mainly due to their peculiar anatomy and physiology. This case reportdescribes the occurrence of uterine torsion in a pregnant pluriparous buffalo. The buffalo was presented with history of persistentstraining for over 6 hours. The cervix was fully dilated and obstetrical examination revealed dystocia due to a left sided uterinetorsion. Hematological results revealed a normal PCV but with an accompanying macrocytosis. There was also neutrophilia,eosinophilia as well as lymphopenia as well as hypocalcium and hypomagnesemia. The dystocia was corrected using theSchafer’s technique. This involved the placing of the free end of a wooden plank on the left flank while the other free end,having an assistant standing on it rested on the ground. Rolling the buffalo twice with this arrangement corrected the anomaly. Keywords: Buffalo; Dystocia; Obstetrical Emergency; Reproduction; Schafer’s Technique; Uterine Torsio

Evaluation of Moringa oleifera (L) Aqueous Seed Extracts on Aphrodisiac, Gonadal and Epididymal Sperm Reserves of Wistar Rats

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera (L) aqueous seed extract on aphrodisiac, gonadal andepididymal sperm reserves of Wistar rats. Twenty-five male and fifteen female Wistar rats aged two months weighing 150 –200 g were purchased and housed in cages at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The Wistarrats were provided with a 12 hours light and dark cycle, fed with pellets of broiler starter and drinking water were provided adlibitum. The rats were acclimatized for 14 days and they were randomly divided into 5 groups A, B, C, D and E. Group B, Cand D as treatment groups, whereas, group A and E were negative and positive controls, respectively, with 5 rats in each groupand each was kept singly in separate cage. Groups A and E received 1 ml of distilled water and 5 mg of sildenafil citrate orallyrespectively. Groups B, C and D received suspension of Moringa oleifera aqueous seed extract orally at the dose rate 100, 200and 300 mg/kg respectively, between 9:00 - 10:00 am daily for 21 days. Female rats were paired with males at a ratio of 1:1,and mating behaviour recorded. Group C and E male rats showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in mounting frequency (MF),respectively. Intromission frequency (IF) was significantly (p < 0.05) increase in group C and E, respectively. Gonadal andepididymal sperm reserves were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the M. oleifera treated and control groups. Keywords: Aphrodisiac: Gonadal sperm reserves: Moringa oleifera aqueous seeds extract; Fertilit