Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of season and feeding regime on reproductive parameters of Kano Brown bucks. A total of fourty eight (48) bucks were used for this study which comprised sixteen (16) bucks per season. At the end of this study twelve (12) bucks, three from each treatment were orchidectomised. Twenty-four right and left testes were harvested, testicular weight (g) and length (cm) were measured. Epididymis was carefully separated from the testes using scapel blade and then separated into three parts (carput, corpus and cauda epididymides) weight (g) and length (cm) were also measured. Testes and epididymis were used to determine gonadal and extra gonadal (x 106)/g/testis which was done in the laboratory. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Completely Randomized Design. The results of gonadal sperm reserves (x 106)/g/testis differed significantly among the seasons, dry season recorded the highest mean value (2896.83 x106)/g/testis whereas rainy season had the lowest mean value (2350.15 x106)/g/testis. Similarly, for extra gonadal sperm reserves, dry season also recorded the highest values (1736.00 x 106) followed by harmattan season (1037.50 x 106). Based on the results of this study, it could be concluded that season and feeding regime had a significant effect on gonadal and extra gonadal sperm/spermatid reserves of Kano Brown bucks. Breeding bucks should be raised during rainy and harmattan seasons.
Highlights
In tropical and subtropical environments, small and large ruminants may often be under heat stress Marai, et al, 2017
This study aimed at evaluating the effect of seasons and feeding regime on reproductive parameters of Kano Brown bucks
The mean values of gonadal sperm reserves obtained in the present study shows the highest mean values in treatment three (3)
Summary
In tropical and subtropical environments, small and large ruminants may often be under heat stress Marai, et al, 2017. High humidity may contribute to decay in structures. These environmental factors have significant effects on livestock production small ruminant. In Sub Saharan Africa, small ruminants play a significant role in the livelihood of small holder farmers as a component of crop-livestock mixed farming system (Bianca, 1955; Malami et al, 2006). Viz sheep and goat are numerically important domesticated animals due to their contribution of meat, milk, skin, fiber, manure and as the sole or subsidiary source of livelihood for a large number of subsistence farmers and landless laborers (Amann, 1970); they contributed significantly to subsistence and socio-economic livelihoods of a large human population in low-input small holder production systems in developing countries. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of seasons and feeding regime on reproductive parameters of Kano Brown bucks
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