Scrotal circumference, bodyweight and serum testosterone concentration of Red Sokoto weaner bucks as influenced by dry season crop‐residue supplementation

Abstract

The effect of dry season supplementation with crop-residue-based rations on bodyweight, scrotal circumference and serum testosterone concentrations in Red Sokoto weaner bucks at 5, 6 and 7 months of age was investigated in the present study. There were 7 treatment groups which were fed a positive control ration (conventional concentrate) fed at 1 and 2% of the bucks' bodyweights (Rations 1A and 2A), two crop-residue-based test rations each fed at 1 and 2% of bodyweight (1B, 2B, 1C and 2C), and a negative control that was unsupplemented (Ration D). All treatment groups had ad libitum access to natural pastures and Digitaria smutsii hay as a basal diet. Bodyweight and scrotal circumference of the bucks significantly increased ( P < 0.05) with age from 5.9 kg to 10.2 kg, and 4.40 cm to 6.95 cm, at 5 and 7 months of age, respectively. Bucks on Ration D (unsupplemented group) had the lowest bodyweight and scrotal circumference. Bucks on Ration 2A showed a significant increase in basal testosterone concentration from 0.32 ng/mL at 5 months of age to 0.65 ng/mL at 7 months of age. Peak testosterone concentration also increased from 1.0 ng/mL at 5 months to 2.8 ng/mL at 7 months of age. Bucks on test Ration 2C had higher bodyweights (6.75, 8.00 and 10.00 kg at 5, 6 and 7 months of age, respectively) than bucks on the other test Ration B (6.20, 7.20 and 8.50 kg, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two test rations with regard to scrotal circumferences of the bucks at all ages. However, at 7 months of age, bucks on test Ration 2C had significantly higher peak testosterone concentration (1.80 ng/mL) than their counterparts on test Ration 2B (1.30 ng/mL). The secretory patterns of testosterone were episodic and pulsatile in nature. It was concluded that crop-residue supplementation in prepubertal Red Sokoto bucks has a significant influence on their bodyweight, scrotal circumference and testosterone production. Test Ration C was a cheap, affordable and better crop-residue-based ration for optimal reproductive performance than test Ration B.

Effect of induced body condition score differences on sexual behavior, scrotal measurements, semen attributes and endocrine responses in Malpura rams under hot semi-arid environment

“…These results could be explained on the basis of effects of testosterone on testes functions especially on sertoli cells. The higher testosterone concentration in higher BCS groups (groups II and III) as compared to lower BCS group (group I) was similar to the findings of Malau‐Aduli et al. (2003).…”

Effect of body condition score on the testicular biometrical measures, semen characteristics and testosterone level in jackass

“…Testosterone hormone might affect the process of spermatogenesis and the sperm production and maturation is under the control of Sertoli cells which are responsible for sperm nourishment, division and transport. Similar results were reported in rams ( Kishk, 2008; Malau‐Aduli et al., 2003 ) . Under low availability of food, animals become gonadally regressed as a result of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis ( Wade & Jones, 2004 ) .…”

Nutrient intake and digestibility of West African dwarf lambs fed creep diets formulated from different nitrogen sources

“…The present study therefore underscores the relevance of creep feeding lambs. This et al observation is in line with findings of earlier investigators (Bajhau and kennedy, 1990;Kumar, 2003;Malau-Aduli ., 2004;Rastogi , 2006;Olomola ., 2008;Mude ., 2010;Ebuzor and Ahamefule, 2013). The protein digestibility coefficients were similar (P>0.05) for diets 2 and 3 and significantly higher (P<0.05) than the value for diet 1.…”