Effect of season on structural composition of drake testes and daily spermatozoa production as determined by quantitative testicular histology

Abstract

Effect of season on structural composition of drake testes and daily spermatozoa production as determined by quantitative testicular histology Summary Seasonal effects on the structural features of drake testes and daily spermatozoa production were investigated by a light microscopy technique, as well as morphometric and quantitative histological procedures. The present study is aimed at understanding the effects of different seasons on the reproductive potential of drakes. The results showed that the volume of the testes occupied by seminiferous tubules was similar (P > 0.05) in all the seasons studied. However, the relative percentage of the primary spermatocytes, spermatids, spermatozoa, epithelial height, lumen diameter, and Leydig cells were significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the early and late rainy seasons compared to the early and late dry seasons. The daily sperm production per testis in the early rainy season, late rainy season, early dry season, and late dry season were 0.86 × 10 9 ± 1.30, 0.84 × 10 9 ± 1.20, 0.54 × 10 9 ± 1.13 and 0.52 × 10 9 ± 1.17, respectively. The daily sperm productions per testis and per gram of testes were significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the early rainy season compared to the early and late dry seasons, respectively. All the micrographs examined, showed evidence of normal spermatogenesis throughout the year. The findings in the present study indicate that drakes in the tropical environment (south-eastern Nigeria) are capable of breeding throughout the year; however, sperm production efficiency is optimal during the early rainy season.

Assessment of age‐related morphological changes in the testes of post‐hatch light ecotype Nigerian indigenous chicken

“…The morphological features of the testes of sexually mature Nigerian indigenous chicken were similar to those of other mature avian species (Castillo et al, 2012; Ali et al., 2015; Okpe & Udoumoh, 2016). These features most probably show that the left and right testes are actively involved in sperm production at sexual maturity.…”

Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Garden Rocket Eruca sativa Mill. Seed on Some Reproductive Traits and Carcasses Quality of Aged Local Duck Males

“…Duck breeding is common in most of the world's countries. In order to increase the interest in the breeding of duck, it is important to understand the physiological and reproductive characteristics of these animals (Okpe & Udoumoh, 2016). Most birds reproductive and physiological characteristics are affected by environmental and nutritional variables that influence the growth of gonadal status and function (Davies et al, 2015).…”

Reproductive season and male effect on quantitative and qualitative traits of individually collected Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) semen

“…described an increase in the number of live sperm and a decrease in the deformed cells as the season progressed, similarly Al-Daraji and Tahir (2014) in experiment on Iraqi ducks Penfold et al (2000). reported a significantly lower sperm number in the last ejaculate compared to the middle season Okpe and Udoumoh (2016). observed the diverse volume densities of testes components in the adult drakes, for example primary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa depending on the reproductive season.…”

“…(2000) reported a significantly lower sperm number in the last ejaculate compared to the middle season. Okpe and Udoumoh (2016) observed the diverse volume densities of testes components in the adult drakes, for example primary spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa depending on the reproductive season. In the early rainy season (April–June) and late rainy season (July–September), there was 20.67% and 21.23% primary spermatocytes, 22.34% and 21.89% spermatids, and 10.32% and 11.51% spermatozoa, whereas in early dry season (October–December) and late dry season (January–March), these values were 13.12% and 12.90%; 10.05% and 9.80%; and 6.20% and 6.00%, respectively.…”

“…In breeding practice, the pooled ejaculates collected from several males are usually used for artificial insemination, and there is little work on the individual assessment of males, in terms of their response to both sperm collection and sperm quality, especially throughout the entire breeding season. For example, Okpe and Udoumoh (2016) described a significant impact of the season on composition of drake testes and daily sperm production, and they found that the number of primary spermatocytes, spermatids and sperm was significantly higher in the rainy season than in the dry one.…”