Gonadal and Epididymal Sperm Reserves of Yankasa Rams Treated with Cypermethrin

Ubah Simon Azubuike

doi:10.11648/j.ajbls.20160402.12

Abstract

Cypermethrin 3% (30 gram/liter) at the dose rate of 3mg/kg (0.1ml/kg) was used as pour-on. Sixteen healthy Yankasa rams with clinically normal genitalia were used. The animals were divided into groups A and B i.e. experimental and control groups. The experimental group was given Cypermethrin treatment as pour-on fortnightly for a period of twelve weeks. The control group was given distilled water at the same rate (0.1ml/kg) and route of administration for the same length of time. Rams from both the experimental and control groups were sacrificed for estimation of gonadal and epididymal sperm/spermatids reserves at the end of the twelve week studies. Epididymal and gonadal sperm reserves were estimated using a haemocytometer. Results showed that gonadal sperm reserves was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). Epididymal sperm reserves showed that there was a significant difference between the cauda epididymis of the experimental and the control rams with the experimental rams showing lower cauda epididymal reserves of 149.75±13.13 x106/g while the control rams had a value of 244.56±17.09 x 106/g (P<0.05), the caput and corpus epididymis were not significantly different. It was concluded that 3% Cypermethrin at the dose rate of 3mg/kg given for a period of twelve weeks affects the epididymal sperm reserves at the cauda segment. It was therefore recommended that the use of Cypermethrin be applied with caution in rams as it may affect the fertility of Yankasa rams negatively.

Highlights

Protein is an essential food ingredient required for optimum growth of human beings in addition to carbohydrate, fats and other essential vitamins and minerals
The rams were purchased from the open market in Sabua Local Government Area of Katsina State, they were acclimatized for two weeks at the Small Ruminant Research Unit of National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), after which they were judged to be in good health based on clinical findings, hematological and faecal examinations
Results were expressed as means and Standard Error of Mean (SEM)

Summary

Introduction

Protein is an essential food ingredient required for optimum growth of human beings in addition to carbohydrate, fats and other essential vitamins and minerals. It is required for growth and necessary repairs of the body cells [1]. Livestock have been reported to provide only 20% of human protein consumption in developing countries [3]. This low productivity is due among other things to animal diseases and infertility [4]. The frequent use of chemicals on the rams may be exposing them to some fertility problems.

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion