Effects of hesperidin on the oestrous cycle of Yankasa ewes

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of hesperidin on the oestrous cycle of Yankasa ewes. Twenty-six Yankasa ewes (26 ewes) aged 8 – 18 months were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 16) and control (n = 10) groups. The treatment group was given hesperidin at a dose rate of 200 mg/kg BW, once weekly for 4 weeks, while the control group received - 10 mL of a mix of DMSO and normal saline. The signs of oestrus were observed twice daily between 6.00 – 11.00 a.m. and 2.00 – 6.00 p.m. The time of onset of oestrus (TOO), oestrus response rate (ORR), and oestrus duration (OD) were determined for 3 oestrous cycles. The result showed that the TOO of the hesperidin-fed group was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower than those of the control group in the 2nd and 3rd oestrous cycles. ORR and OD were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher in the hesperidin-fed group compared to the control in the 2nd and 3rd oestrous cycles. The study indicates that hesperidin administration improved the TOO, ORR and OD in Yankasa ewes.