Testicular and epididymal anatomy and spermatozoa reserves of rabbit bucks fed Moringa oleifera leaf meal-based diets supplemented with mixtures of garlic, ginger or black pepper

Abstract

Twenty-five mature male crossbred (Chinchilla × California× New Zealand White × Dutch) bucks (aged between six and seven months) of average weight (1915±125 g) were used. The bucks were fed either of five diets with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as a complement and mixtures of either garlic, ginger or black pepper (spices) as supplements; diet one having no MOLM or spices; diet two having 6% MOLM; diet three having 6% MOLM with mixtures of 3.5 g garlic (GR) and 3.5g ginger (GG) per kg diet; diet four having 6% MOLM with mixtures of 3.5 g garlic (GR) and 3.5 g black pepper (BP) per kg diet; diet five having 6% MOLM with mixtures of 3.5 g ginger (GG) and 3.5 g black pepper (BP) per kg diet in a CRD for three months. Data was analyzed using the GLM procedure while mean separation was done using pairwise difference method of SAS. Significantly (p < 0.05) lowest testes weight was obtained for MOLM + GR + BP fed bucks. Total testes volume was significantly (p < 0.05) lowest for MOLM + GR + GG fed bucks. Total caudal epididymidis sperm reserves were significantly (p < 0.01) highest for MOLM fed bucks. Daily sperm production and daily sperm production per gramme parenchyma were not (p > 0.05) affected by MOLM or addition of the spices to the diets. It is concluded that testes volume was increased by 6% MOLM + 3.5 g GR + 3.5 g BP. Also, MOLM fed at 6% dietary level increased caudal epididymides sperm reserves.