Modulating Role of Vernonia amygdalina Leaf Meal on Spermatogenic and Steroidogenic Functions of West African Dwarf Bucks Testis
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Applied Science at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Vernonia amygdalina has a unique nutritional and phytochemical property with numerous
physiological, biochemical and morphological benefits due to its anti-oxidative and anti-helminthic
properties. This study evaluated the effects of Vernonia amygdalina leaf meal (VALM) on follicle
stimulating (FSH), luteinizing hormones (LH) and testosterone regulation of seminal characteristics of
West African dwarf (WAD) bucks. Twenty-four (24) WAD bucks were randomly assigned to four
treatments (A, B, C and D) in a completely randomized design for a nutritional trial of eight weeks.
Animals were given diets containing 0, 20, 30 and 40g VALM/kg feed. Animals were weighed and
blood samples were collected at the beginning of the experiment and subsequently forth-nightly before
the end of the experiment for hormonal assay. Semen volume, semen color, sperm concentration,
sperm motility and sperm morphology were determined from the semen samples obtained forth-nightly
by electro-ejaculation. All data collected were analyzed using the General Linear Model procedure of
SAS, (2002). Means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of the same software. There
were significant differences (p<0.05) in most of the hormones studied except testosterone which was
not significantly affected by VALM. Sperm concentration, motility and morphology increased
significantly (P<0.05) and was highest at 40 g of VALM/kg feed. The color of the semen from all the
treatments was whitish grey. It was therefore concluded that VALM improved the FSH and LH
production at 40 g of VALM/kg feed with improved sperm quality in WAD bucks, thereby enhancing
the reproductive performance of the goats.