Semen characteristics and testosterone profiles of Yankasa rams fed graded levels of dietary protein using cotton seed and palm kernel cakes

Abstract

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.

Correlation between Testicular Morphometric Parameters and Sperm Reserves in Ghanaian West African Dwarf Rams

“…The mean values of cauda epididymal sperm reserves in this study were higher than reported for WAD rams in Ibadan, Nigeria [ 26 ], and Yankasa rams in Nigeria [ 22 ]. On the contrary, these values were lower than 20.37 ± 0.77 billion sperm cells, documented for cauda epididymal sperm reserves in the local breed of sheep in Kashmir, India [ 27 ].…”

“…These differences may be due to the variations in geographical location and nutritional levels of the rams. The DSPG of WAD rams in the current study was higher than 36 ± 14.6 million sperm cells reported for Yankassa rams in Nigeria [ 22 ]. Similarly, the gonadal sperm reserves and cauda epididymal sperm reserves of the WAD rams in the study were higher than 112.5 ± 21.77 and 1,378.50 ± 60.80 million sperm cells, respectively, as compared to Yankasa rams in Nigeria [ 22 ].…”

“…The DSPG of WAD rams in the current study was higher than 36 ± 14.6 million sperm cells reported for Yankassa rams in Nigeria [ 22 ]. Similarly, the gonadal sperm reserves and cauda epididymal sperm reserves of the WAD rams in the study were higher than 112.5 ± 21.77 and 1,378.50 ± 60.80 million sperm cells, respectively, as compared to Yankasa rams in Nigeria [ 22 ]. These findings suggest that WAD rams have higher spermatogenic action compared to Yankasa rams.…”

“…However, the mean values of testes' weight, length of testes, and cauda epididymides were lower than 99.8 ± 2.6 gram, 8.7 ± 0.2 cm, and 4.4 ± 0.7 cm, respectively, as reported for Yankasa rams reared in Zaria, Nigeria [ 22 ]. Moreover, Yankasa rams are usually larger than WAD rams and have comparatively higher testicular length, testicular width, and volume [ 13 ].…”

Ageing affects plasma steroid concentrations and testicular volume, echotexture and haemodynamics in rams

“…Unfortunately, despite the easy collection of venous blood samples for estimation the plasma levels of testosterone and estradiol-17β, it is not applicable to confirm the reproductive performance in males via a single blood sample, where testosterone concentrations were found to exhibit a pulsatile diurnal pattern in circulation (Bello et al, 2020).…”