Semen Characteristics and Haematological Parmeters of West African Dwarf Bucks Treated with Aqueous Extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius

Abstract

The effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius extract was carried out on eight West African Dwarf breeding Bucks weighing between 13kg-15kg and aged 18-24 months. The experiment spanned through 14 weeks. The animals were divided into two groups (T1 and T2) of four bucks each. 5mls of 20% and 30% Chaya leaf extract was administered to groups T1 and T2 each day, respectively, for two weeks. Semen and Blood samples were collected and analyzed.

The result showed mild effects on the semen characteristics though there were no significant changes (P>0.05) in the semen volume, motility, percentage livability, the semen count (sperm concentration) and morphology.

There was no significant effect (P>0.05) noticed on all the blood parameters except for the WBC count in which there was significant reduction (P<0.05) of T1 and T2. T1, Pre-treatment (22.80± 1.75), first week post treatment-WPT (18.65± 3.00), and second WPT (12.50± 1.39). T2, pre-treatment (14.85 ± 1.58), first WPT (22.67 ± 1.02), and second WPT  (11.85 ± 0.39).

It can be concluded that administration of either 20% or 30% extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius has no negative effects on the semen characteistics and haematological parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) breeding bucks.

Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Haematological parameters, Semen characteristics