Effect of clomiphene citrate (Clomid®) fertility drug on sperm production rate, gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of yankasa rams

Abstract

Two groups of 5 healthy mature Yankasa rams each, aged 1.5 – 2.5 years and weighing between 30 and 50 kg were assigned to either 12.25 mg (CD 1) or 24.50 mg (CD 2) clomiphene citrate as Clomid® (Bruno Phamaceutici Sp A, Rome) daily for 5 days. Another group of 6 rams was given normal saline during the same period to serve as control (CON). All treatments were used to study the effect of the drug on daily sperm production,  gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves. The drug was given orally. The results indicated daily sperm production (109) for the control (CON) 2.15 ± 0.6, which differed significantly (p<0.05) from CD 1 (5.16 ± 0.12) and CD 2 (4.85 ± 0.16). Daily sperm production/gram/testis (109) was similar between the two drug treatments. Gonadal sperm reserves (109) for CD 1 (17.45 ± 1.64) differed significantly (p<0.05) from CD 2 (14.25 ± 1.45) and CON (12.15 ± 1.15). Mean caput sperm reserves (108) for CD 1 (4.10 ± 0.06) differed significantly (p<0.05) from CD 2 (3.64 ± 0.04) and CON (2.25 ± 0.03). Mean corpus sperm reserve (108) for CD 1 (5.10 ± 0.08) differed significantly (p<0.05) from CD 2 (4.65 ± 0.05) and CON (3.25 ± 0.06). Mean caudal sperm reserve (108) for CD 1 (6.25 ± 0.54) was similar (p>0.05) to CD 2 (5.48 ± 0.62) but they differed significantly (p<0.05) from CON (4.15± 0.21). Ductus deferens sperm reserve was similar (p>0.05) between treatment groups. High correlations were found between testis weight and daily sperm production and testicular sperm reserves. The gonadal and extra-gonadal reserves and daily sperm production values obtained in this study are within the range reported for exotic breeds.

Keywords: Clomiphene citrate, sperm production, sperm reserve, testis, ram