EFFECTS OF ORAL INTAKE OF Mucuna pruriens SEED POWDER ON THE HEMATO-BIOCHEMICALAND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BUCKS
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Date
2026
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Abuja
Abstract
The use of Mucuna pruriens seed extract for the treatment of male reproductive dysfunction has
been well researched in animals and humans but the various methods of extractions and solvents
used as well as the route of administration often influence the effectiveness of the plants seed. The
experiment involve the use of fifteen West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks in a completely randomized
design to study the effect of oral administration of Mucuna pruriens powder on the reproductive
performance of WAD bucks. The bucks weighing between 9kg-10kg were randomly assigned to
five treatments. The experiment lasted for 7weeks, during which body weight was taken weekly
along with rectal temperature. Blood was collected fortnightly for haematological and biochemical
analysis while semen was collected by electro-ejaculation at the end of the experiment for semen
analysis. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in all the haematological and biochemical
parameters except with White blood cell, Red blood cell, Alkaline Phosphate and Cholesterol which
were significantly higher with increase in Mucuna pruriens powder. There was significant
difference (p < 0.05) in all the sperm characteristics such as the sperm motility (%), sperm count
(x106
/ml), live to dead ratio, normal sperm morphology and semen volume (ml). Rectal temperature
was normal in all the groups and weight gain was not significantly affected throughout the period. It
was concluded that oral administration of 10g of Mucuna pruriens powder was the best in terms of
improvement of semen characteristics of West African Dwarf buck