No abstract

Eight Swedish Finewool Landrace ewes, ovariectomized 5 months earlier and kept on nonestrogenic hay, were each fed 3.5 kg red clover silage, corresponding to 6.1 g phytoestrogens (of which 3.5 g was formononetin) per day, for 14 days in November (short days). In January (short days), two groups (3 each) of these ewes received one or two 17 beta-estradiol sc implants. In May (long days), one of two new groups (4 each) of these ewes was reexposed to phytoestrogens for another 14 days while the other served as a control. Physical examination of ewes for changes in reproductive organs was carried out two or three times per week during each feeding/treatment, and continued until observed changes disappeared. Clinically significant changes occurred in the reproductive organs of ewes fed red clover. Vulva color changed from pale to pink and red, and there were enlargements of the vulva, uterus, and udder. In addition, teat length and circumference increased, and secretion of milky fluid began. These changes were similar, but more pronounced during treatment with 17 beta-estradiol, particularly teat circumference. The changes in vulva were more dramatic in May than in November and resembled those observed in ewes treated with estradiol. Our data show that a daily intake of 3.5 g formononetin for 14 days caused the increase of teat size and changes in the color of the vulva and in uterus weight in ovariectomized ewes.

No abstract

The Nigerian local turkey has the potential to augment the supply of poultry protein in the country and across the region. However, the fecundity of the breed is low due to neglect and lack of improvement. This work is therefore aimed at shedding some light in some reproductive indices of the local turkey under optimum nutrition. A group of fifteen toms and nine hens were used in this study. The males were grouped into three groups of five and placed on varying levels of protein, 12% CP, 16% CP and 20% CP for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Semen samples were collected and analysed twice weekly for thirteen weeks. Ejaculate volume, semen concentration, semen PH, gross and individual motilities, live and dead sperm and sperm morphology were investigated and recorded. Data were summarized as mean ± SEM (Standard Error of the Mean). The toms in groups 3 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher ejaculate volume 0.29 ± 0.03 mls and semen concentration7.766 ± 0.612 x10 9 than groups 1 and 2. The fertilizing ability, which was assessed through in vivo and in vitro sperm penetration assays revealed significantly higher number of sperm penetration holes (P < 0.05) in Groups 2 and 3, 160.97 ± 8. 084 and 172.83 ± 7.647 (in vivo); 187.96 ± 8.121 and 189.16 ± 6.446 (in vitro) respectively. The local turkey toms could parallel their exotic counterpart under optimum environment, without the need for genetic hybridization and that 20% CP had more positive influence on the semen quality and fertilizing ability of indigenous Nigerian turkey toms followed by 16% CP with 12% CP exerting the least positive influence.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera (L) aqueous seed extract on aphrodisiac, gonadal and epididymal 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 Wistar rats were provided with a 12 hours light and dark cycle, fed with pellets of broiler starter and drinking water were provided ad libitum. The rats were acclimatized for 14 days and they were randomly divided into 5 groups A, B, C, D and E. Group B, C and D as treatment groups, whereas, group A and E were negative and positive controls, respectively, with 5 rats in each group and each was kept singly in separate cage. Groups A and E received 1 ml of distilled water and 5 mg of sildenafil citrate orally respectively. Groups B, C and D received suspension of Moringa oleifera aqueous seed extract orally at the dose rate 100, 200 and 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) increased in group C and E, respectively. Gonadal and epididymal sperm reserves were significantlydifferent (p < 0.05)between the M. oleifera treated and control groups.

The aim of this work was to identify the exclusive components of Acetyl acetate‐methanol fraction (AAMF) of Adansonia digitata (Linn) root bark extract and to elucidate its mechanism of action in modulating hormone signaling. Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry was done to identify the compounds present in fractions of A. digitata (Linn) root bark extract. Thirty female Wistar rats had their estrous cycles synchronized and were randomly distributed into three groups of ten rats each. Each group received 0, 150, and 300mg/kg body weight of AAMF per os from the day observed as proestrus by vaginal cytology to day‐seven. On day‐one, day‐four, day‐five, day‐six and day‐seven, blood was collected from rats in each group. Blood collected was analyzed for estrogen, progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone levels. Uterus and ovary were processed for histopathology and immunohistochemistry to study the regulation of estrogen and progesterone receptor proteins. Where a receptor protein was regulated, further investigation was done to determine its effect on the gene expression of that receptor in endometrial stromal cells through RNA extraction, OneStep reverse transcription‐pCR amplification, Agarose gel electrophoresis and quantification of pCR product. Results showed that AAMF uniquely contained 15.25% of oleic acid and caused mass atresia of antral follicles at proestrus. AAMF treated rats had significantly (p<0.05) lowered serum estradiol levels at proestrus when compared to control rats and had up‐regulated estrogen receptor beta proteins in endometrium and downregulated estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) gene expression in endometrial cells. It was concluded that the oleic acid component of AAMF may have lowered estrogen level by inhibiting aromatase and hydroxysteroid 17 beta dehydrogenase enzyme activities in estrogen steroidogenesis. Also, oleic acid may have induced overexpression of Tumour Suppressor Factor (P53) which promotes follicular apoptosis and indirectly downregulates ERα when p53 activities become exacerbated. It is recommended that AAMF be investigated as a possible therapy for some ERα sensitive clinical conditions like cancer.

L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer les effets d’une admi­nistration d’acide ascorbique (AA) sur le taux de fécondation de brebis dont les chaleurs étaient induites par deux traite­ments à base de progestogènes. Des brebis de race Yankasa (n = 64) ont été réparties de façon égale en deux groupes. Dans l’un, les brebis ont été traitées avec un dispositif intra­vaginal de libération continue du médicament (CIDR). Dans l’autre, les brebis ont été traitées avec 45 mg d’acétate de fluo­rogestone (FGA) au moyen d’une éponge vaginale. Après le retrait des progestogènes, les brebis de chaque groupe expri­mant des chaleurs ont été réparties en quatre sous-groupes : CIDR témoin (CDNN, n = 12), CIDR plus AA (CDAA, n = 11), FGA témoin (FGNN, n = 13) et FGA plus AA (FGAA, n = 12). La détection des chaleurs a été réalisée au moyen de béliers sexuellement actifs et laissés libres de s’accoupler avec les femelles. Le taux d’expression des chaleurs n’a pas différé entre les sous-groupes. L’intervalle entre le retrait des dis­positifs et l’apparition des chaleurs a été significativement (p < 0,05) plus court chez les brebis du groupe FGA que chez celles du groupe CIDR (respectivement 30,35 ± 2,72 et 48,56 ± 7,52 heures). La durée de l’oestrus n’a pas différé (p < 0,05) entre les traitements (FGA 37,22 ± 4,22 et CIDR 39,75 ± 2,51 heures). Les taux de fécondation ont été comparables entre sous-groupes. En conclusion, l’administration d’AA lors du retrait des dispositifs progestogéniques n’a pas amélioré le taux de fécondation des brebis Yankasa.

This study was carried out to evaluate fertility parameters in crossbred sows in Zaria, following treatment with Cloprostenol sodium (Synchromate ®). Ten (n = 10) apparently healthy crossbred sows were randomly assigned to two equal treatment groups based on number of injections of 500µg Synchromate ®. Group 1 received two injections on days 0 and 13, while Group 2 received three injections on days 0, 7 and 13. Oestrus was monitored visually for signs of oestrus twice daily from 0700-1000h and 1500-1800h. The fertility parameters evaluated were: oestrus response rate (ORR), time to onset of oestrus (TOO), duration of oestrus (DOO), conception rate (CR), pregnancy rate (PR), farrowing rate (FR) and litter size (LS). Data on ORR, CR, PR and FR were expressed in percentages while TOO, DOO and LS were expressed as mean ± SEM. Student t-test and Tukey's post-hoc test were used to compare the percentages and mean values between the groups. The Graphpad Prism ® data package was used for statistical analysis and values of P<0.05 were considered significant.