Gonadal and Extra-Gonadal Sperm Reserves of Kano Brown Bucks as Influenced by Season and Feeding Regime in Semi-Arid Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of season and feeding regime on reproductive parameters of Kano Brown bucks. A total of fourty eight (48) bucks were used for this study which comprised sixteen (16) bucks per season. At the end of this study twelve (12) bucks, three from each treatment were orchidectomised. Twenty-four right and left testes were harvested, testicular weight (g) and length (cm) were measured. Epididymis was carefully separated from the testes using scapel blade and then separated into three parts (carput, corpus and cauda epididymides) weight (g) and length (cm) were also measured. Testes and epididymis were used to determine gonadal and extra gonadal (x 106)/g/testis which was done in the laboratory. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Completely Randomized Design. The results of gonadal sperm reserves (x 106)/g/testis differed significantly among the seasons, dry season recorded the highest mean value (2896.83 x106)/g/testis whereas rainy season had the lowest mean value (2350.15 x106)/g/testis. Similarly, for extra gonadal sperm reserves, dry season also recorded the highest values (1736.00 x 106) followed by harmattan season (1037.50 x 106). Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that season and feeding regime had a significant effect on gonadal and extra gonadal sperm/spermatid reserves of Kano Brown bucks. Breeding bucks should be raised during rainy and harmattan seasons.

Rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization of growing Yankasa rams fed a mixed ration containing tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus) residue and cowpea husk (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

“…The EE obtained from this study fell within the range of 22.10 g kg -1 DM -42.21g kg -1 DM reported by Njidda et al (2018). The Lignin content reported from this study is higher than that reported by Nasir et al (2014) and Njidda et al (2016). Differences observed in the composition of the feed are attributed to the ration used as Njidda et al (2018) used a mix of soybean meal and Gmelina arborea leaves, Nasir et al (2014) used cotton seed cake while a mixed ration of cowpea husk and tiger nut residue was used for this study.…”

“…The crude protein content decreased as the level of cowpea husks decreased with increasing levels of Tiger nut residue. The crude protein level in this study is within the range of 139 g kg -1 DM to 220 g kg -1 DM reported by Olafadehan et al (2022) who used cowpea husks to feed goats but lower than the range of 162.1 -203.3 g kg-1 DM and 354 g kg -1 DM to 383 g kg -1 DM reported by Njidda et al (2018) and Nasir et al (2014) respectively. Abdu et al (2012) and Okafor et al (2012) reported 102.5 and 137.3 g kg -1 DM which is lower than the results from this study.…”

Semen characteristics and hormonal profile of Yankasa rams fed a mixed ration of cowpea husk (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) and tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentum L.) residue

“…The crude protein level in this study fell within the range of 139 g kg -1 DM to 220 g kg -1 DM reported by Olafadehan et al (2022) who used cowpea husks to feed goats but lower than the range of 162.1-203.3 g kg -1 DM and 354 g kg -1 DM to 383 g kg -1 DM reported by Njidda et al (2018) and Nasir et al (2014) respectively. Abdu et al (2012) and Okafor et al (2012) reported 102.5 and 137.3 g kg -1 DM which is lower than that obtained from this study.…”

“…The EE obtained from this study fell within the range of 22.10 g kg -1 DM -42.21g kg -1 DM reported by Njidda et al (2018). The Lignin content reported from this study is higher than that reported by Njidda et al (2018) and Nasir et al (2014). Differences observed in the composition of the feed are attributed to the ration used as Njidda et al (2018) used a mix of soyabean meal and Gmelina arborea leaves, Nasir et al (2014) used cotton seed cake while a mixed ration of cowpea husk and tiger nuts residue was used for this study.…”