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.

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This research presents properties of okra and sawdust reinforced polyester composite. The compatibility of the simple woven okra and sawdust with polyester was enhanced with stearic acid treatment. FTIR analysis confirmed decrease in hydrophilicity of the fibre and dust. Six composite samples; pure polyester, sawdust reinforced polyester composite, okra reinforced polyester composite, 10% sawdust in okra fibre reinforced composite, 20% sawdust in okra fibre reinforced composite and 30% sawdust in okra fibre reinforced composites were fabricated and characterized. The morphological analysis showed that the homogeneity of polyester in the samples reduces with increase in sawdust filler (10-30 wt%). Water absorption was highest (1.6%) in 30% sawdust in okra. The densities of all the composites were between 3.5 – 4.5 kg/m3. The sawdust reinforced composite recorded low impact energy of 0.25 J while the woven okra fibre reinforced polyester recorded the highest impact energy of 9.9 J. Hardness property reduced as the biomass content increased. Unreinforced polyester recorded the highest average elongation of 25% (1400 µm) and reduced elongation as filler increased. The storage modulus was highest for unreinforced composite at 40oC but as the temperature reached 81oC the storage modulus of unreinforced polyester dropped lower than the sawdust composite. The damping factor (1.41) was highest for 20 wt% sawdust/okra polyester composite. This research concludes that sawdust and okra are suitable for lightweight and energy damping materials in automobile applications.

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