The increasing demand of the feed market for protein has necessitated the need to look for and use other sources of this nutrient. Cottonseed cake and palm kernel cakes are used extensively for supplementing ruminant rations to increase their productivity. The efficiency of sperm production, libido and quality of spermatozoa tend to remain uniform throughout the reproductive life of an animal but may be significantly altered by nutrition. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of graded levels of protein on semen characteristics, and serum testosterone profile in Yankasa rams. Fifteen rams aged between 18–24 months and weighing 15–25 kg with good body condition scores (3.5) were used in this study. They were divided into three treatment groups (A, B and C) according to the dietary protein level. Group A (n = 5) received 10 %, group B (n = 5) received 15 % while group C (n = 5) received 20 % combined crude protein of cotton seed and palm kernel cakes, respectively. Semen samples were collected weekly using battery-controlled electro ejaculator. Serum samples were harvested using a Pasteur pipette into serum vials and stored at −20 °C for analysis. These samples were from a representative animal in each group for determination of testosterone profiles using ELISA technique at weeks 1, 6 and 12. Data collected were expressed as means and standard error of the mean (± SEM). Significance of differences between treatments means were estimated at P ≤ 0.05 with Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test of repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). From this study, it was concluded that rams fed concentrate of 15 % crude protein using cotton seed and palm kernel cakes combined had improved semen characteristics in terms of semen concentration, motility, live sperm cells and morphology, but the crude protein levels had no effects on testosterone concentrations.
This is a case report of hair plucking and alopecia in a flock of sheep in Zaria. Appearance of alopecia and hair pulling was noticed in an institutional sheep farm consisting of Balami, Uda and Yankasa breeds aged between 3-48 months. This was noticed over a period of 1 month in a total of 15 animals consisting of 9 ewes and 6 rams. Physical observations revealed alopecia. Blood samples and skin scrapings of the animals were negative for haemo- and ectoparasites, and faecal sample examinations were also negative. The feed analysis confirmed the correct nutrient requirement were compounded, but the feed consistency was observed to be too fine. Hay and/or pasture was not provided as required by the animals, hence, nutritional deficit was suspected. The finely ground feed was replaced with a coarse form and hay supplied ad libitum. The problem abated and the bare skin patches returned to normal in 4weeks after the diet was adjusted. Feeding of these species of animals concentrates diets of fine particle and inadequate forage or hay could have negative effects on animal health and performance.
The effects of graded levels of dietary protein on some haematological parameters in pubertal Yankasa rams were studied. They were randomly divided into three treatment groups (A, B and C). Groups A, B and C received 10%, 15% and 20% crude protein respectively. All rams were fed a basal diet of hay (Digitaria spp) ad-libitum and given a supplement ration of concentrate mixture at 2% body weight/day. Blood was collected once weekly via jugular venepuncture into heparinised test-tubes, and transported to the laboratory for determination of red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, white blood cell counts and total protein for twelve weeks. The overall mean red blood cell values obtained were 4.2 ± 0.1 ×106 µl, 5.2 ± 0.1 106 µl and 5.06 ± 0.1 ×106 µl, for groups A, B and C respectively. The difference between values obtained for groups B and C were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Mean packed cell volumes obtained in this study revealed that rams fed 15% crude protein had significantly (P < 0.05) higher values (31.3 ± 0.9%) than those fed 10% (25.9± 0.7%) but similar to those fed 20% (30.33 ± 0.56%) crude protein. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in mean white blood cell counts and total protein concentrations between all groups of animals fed 10% CP. Feeding rams diets containing 15 % CP (cotton seed cake and palm kernel cake) gave better values in terms of packed cell volume and red blood cell counts, than feeding diets containing 10% and 20% C.P. While graded levels of dietary protein was shown to affect packed cell volume and total protein concentration, it had no significant effect on red blood cell and white blood cell counts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.