Testicular Sperm Reserves Research Articles

Effect of season on testicular morphometry and sperm production in adult guinea cocks

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of season on testicular morphometric parameters and sperm production in adult Guinea cocks. Five (5) Guinea cocks (GCs) were randomly selected from a group of thirty homogenous adult pearl Guinea cocks during the major rainy, minor rainy season, and dry seasons of the year. The selected GCs were humanely euthanized and used for determining testicular morphometric parameters, sperm reserve, and sperm production. The results of this study showed that the body weight of Guinea cocks (GCs) and testicular morphometric parameters were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the rainy season than in the dry season, while testicular weight and the gonado-somatic index (GSI) were similar. Sperm reserves and daily sperm production were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. The study concluded that the season of the year affected the body weight of the Guinea cocks, testicular morphometric parameters, sperm reserve, and sperm production in adult Guinea cocks.

Effects of Graded Dose of Honey Administered Orally on Gonadal and Extra-Gonadal Sperm Reserves of Rabbit

Honey is a nutritive natural by-product of bees obtained from nectar collected from flowering plants. It contains moisture, sugars, enzymes, essential elements and vitamins. This study is designed to determine the effects of graded dose of honey administered orally on gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reverses of rabbit. Twelve apparently healthy male rabbit (buck) aged two months weighing 4 ±1.2 kg were purchased and housed in a cages at the Large Animal Clinic, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Maiduguri. The rabbits were fed, grower mesh and supplemented with groundnut leaves, drinking water was provided ad libitum. The rabbits were acclimatized for 14 days. Thereafter, they were randomly divided into 4 groups A, B, C and D as treatment groups and control group, respectively, with 3 rabbits in each group. Groups A, B and C were administered orally graded dose of honey at the dose rate of (5, 10 and 15) ml respectively, between 9:00 – 10:00 am daily for 6 weeks. At the end of the experimental period the rabbits were aseptically prepared for surgical removal of their testes. The testes and epididymides were carefully sampled, weighed and processed. The results revealed that the right, left, and paired testicles weights were not significantly different among the treatment groups compared to the control (group D). However, the testicular sperm reserves were significantly (P <0.05) influenced by the treatments. Sperm reserves in both left and right testicles of rabbits treated with 5 ml of honey were not significantly different with the group that was administered with 10ml of water but, groups that were administered 10ml and 15ml of honey were significantly (P><0.05) higher than the group that was administered with 5 ml of honey compared to the group treated with 10 ml of water. The epididymal sperm reserves were significantly (P><0.05) higher than the groups treated with 10 ml and 15 ml of honey compared to the group treated with 5 ml of honey and the group treated with 10 ml of water. This study suggests that honey has the potential to influence gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of rabbits at dosage of 10- 15 ml per day for optimum quantity and quality of semen>

Improved gonadal sperm reserves, growth performance, and antioxidant capacity of maturity V-line rabbits fedVespa oriental meal

Insects continue to receive considerable interest as a potential nutrient source and as nutraceuticals. In this study, the effects of diets containing 25 and 50% ofVespa orientalis meal (VOM) as a replacement for soybean meal (control: 100%), on the reproductive potential of 90-day-old V-line male rabbits (average weight: 1.06±0.03 kg) were investigated. Bucks fed the 50% VOM diet demonstrated the highest increase in body weight, reaction time, and testicular weight at maturity, and their gonadal sperm reserves (GSR) increased significantly (P<0.001) compared with those of other experimental groups. GSR in the testis was significantly (P<0.001) higher in rabbits fed a diet containing VOM than the control group. Epididymal sperm reserves in caput, corpus, and cauda increased significantly (P<0.001) as the percentage of VOM increased in the diets of bucks. The daily sperm production per gram in the testis of bucks fed with diets containing VOM improved significantly (P<0.05; by 39.67 and 62.13% when provided with diets containing 25 and 50% VOM, respectively) compared with that in the control group. Similarly, testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the VOM-fed groups than in the control group. However, luteinising hormone levels declined (P<0.05) in the VOM- provided groups than in the control group. Supplementation with different VOM levels significantly (P<0.001) enhanced the serum total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, and decreased the serum malondialdehyde levels compared with the control group. Serum biochemical traits, including protein and lipid profiles and glucose concentration, were significantly improved in bucks fed with VOM-supplemented diets. In conclusion, dietary VOM supplementation promotes the daily sperm production, testicular sperm reserves, sexual hormone production, and antioxidant capacity of V-line bucks.

Correlation between Testicular Morphometric Parameters and Sperm Reserves in Ghanaian West African Dwarf Rams.

The current study was conducted to investigate the association between testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghanaian West African Dwarf rams. The intact scrotum along with testes and epididymides from twelve rams were collected immediately after slaughtering and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory. The left testes and epididymides from all rams were dissected and the testes were individually weighed. The individual length, width, and volume of the testis and cauda epididymis were determined. Tissue samples were taken from testicular parenchyma, homogenized, and used to determine gonadal sperm concentration using a hemocytometer. Spermatozoa were recovered from the cauda epididymis by the incision method and used to determine the spermiogram. The weight, length, width, and volume of the testis were 63 ± 11 gram, 6.7 ± 0.44 cm, and 4.6 ± 0.40 and 74 ± 19 cm3, respectively, while the same parameters (except weight) for the cauda epididymis were 3.2 ± 0.35 cm, 1.8 ± 0.16 cm, and 5.48 ± 1.5 cm3, respectively. The sperm reserves per testis (SR), sperm reserves per gram testis (SRG), daily sperm production per testis (DSP), and daily sperm production per gram testis (DSPG) were (11,740 ± 386, 250 ± 6, 2350 ± 7.7, and 50 ± 1.0) million sperm cells, respectively. The cauda epididymal sperm reserves were 1,386 ± 456 million sperm cells, and the sperm motility (M%), morphologically normal viable cells (N%), dead sperm cells (D%), and morphologically abnormal sperm cells (A%) were 89 ± 3.2, 70.13 ± 8.0, 13.55 ± 5.05, and 16.33 ± 7.9, respectively. In conclusion, testicular morphometric parameters in Ghanaian West African Dwarf rams are highly and positively correlated (r = 0.7487–0.9354) with sperm reserves and production.

Gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in indigenous Ghanaian West African dwarf goats


 
 
 The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat has genetic potentials that can be exploited for improved goat production. However, their testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in Ghana are not well known. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Sabtiu Musah abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana, to evaluate the gross testicular morphometric parameters and sperm reserves in 10 indigenous WAD goats. The samples were stored on an ice chest and transported to the Regional Veterinary Laboratory for analysis on the day of collection. In the laboratory, the testes and epididymis were separated by dissection and then freed of all connective tissue and the Tunica albuginea. The weight, length, width and volume of the testis were determined. A segment of testicular parenchyma was incised and homogenized in a 20 ml normal saline solution. The resulting homogenate was stored in the refrigerator overnight and a filtered aliquot used for estimating spermatid concentration and sperm reserves. The weight, length, width, volume of the testis and the gonadosomatic index were 70.09 ±14.19 gm, 7.46 ± 0.52 cm, 5.08 ± 0.62, cm, 102.40 ± 29.40 ml and 5.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. The sperm reserves per the whole testis, sperm reserves per gramme testis, Daily Sperm production (DSP), and DSP per gramme testis of Ghanaian WAD bucks were 146.0 ± 50.95, 2.2 ± 0.62, 41.01 ± 14.3 and 0.62 ± 0.17 x109 spermatozoa, respectively. Indigenous West African Draft goats have a high potential for sperm production. It is recommended that further research be conducted on the semen quality parameters of this breed.
 
 

Reproductive characteristics, semen quality, seminal oxidative status, steroid hormones, sperm production efficiency of rabbits fed herbal supplements

Today, orthodox medicine has almost exceeded its limits in resolving subfertility problems in animals, thus making phytomedicine a primary tool in the treatment of infertility. In this work, three herbal supplements obtained from freshly air-dried Moringa oleifera, Phyllanthus amarus and Viscum album leaves were evaluated to ascertain their comparative effect on the reproductive potentials of bucks. Sixty bucks were allotted four diets made up of standard grower rabbit ration without supplement and with 5% Moringa, Mistletoe and Phyllanthus supplementation for 84 days. Semen samples were collected from all bucks using artificial vagina, for semen quality and seminal oxidative stress markers. The organ weights, testicular and epididymal spermatozoa reserves were assessed to determine sperm production potentials using standard procedures. The result obtained revealed that spermatozoa concentration, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity and the amplitude of lateral head was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the group fed with mistletoe supplemented diet compared to that recorded in the control groups. The inclusion of herbal supplements linearly (p < 0.05) increased the seminal total antioxidant activity with a corresponding decrease in the seminal lipid peroxidation across the herbal supplemented treatments compared to the control. The gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves of bucks fed on the herbal supplements were depleted compared to bucks on control. Bucks on mistletoe supplementation rivalled the superior daily sperm production and testicular sperm reserve in bucks without herbal supplements. In conclusion, Viscum album supplements in bucks’ diets encouraged daily sperm production, testicular sperm reserves, testosterone, as well as spermatozoa kinetics. The three herbal supplements did enhance semen oxidative stability.

MORPHOMETRIC STUDIES OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS AND SPERM RESERVES OF M'BORORO (Bos indicus) BULLS

Morphometric data of the reproductive organs and the gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves were determined in sexually mature M'bororo bulls. The mean body weight was 560±15.8kg and measured 175.8±4.3cm at the withers. The mean paired testes weight and scrotal circumference were 266.5±28.9g and 28.2±0.8cm, respectively. The body weight was significantly and positively corellated with the testicular sperm reserves (P&lt;0.05). The paired testicular sperm reserves was 27.3±3.1 *109. The mean weights of the accessory gland were: Seminal Vesicles, 42.2±4g; ampullae, 12.4±2.0g;Prostate gland, 2.2±0.29g and 1.3±0.3g for the bulbourethral gland. The mean penis lenght was 80.9±2.9cm while the glans penis and the urethral process measured 3.1±0.1cm and 1.9±0.1cm, respectively

Semen indices, growth response and sperm reserve of male rabbits fed zinc supplemented diets

&lt;p&gt;This study was carried out to assess the effect of dietary levels of zinc on semen indices, growth parameters and testicular sperm reserve of heterogeneous stock of male rabbits. Twenty male rabbits aged 6 mo old were randomly allotted to four groups of five males each and fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg of zinc gluconate per kg diet, respectively, for eight weeks. Semen was collected from the males weekly using an artificial vagina and semen volume (mL), spermatozoa motility (%), sperm concentration (×10&lt;sup&gt;8&lt;/sup&gt;/mL) and live sperm cells (%) were assessed. Seminal plasma was separated from the semen by centrifugation, and its zinc concentration was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. The weights of the males were taken weekly, and the daily feed intake was recorded. At the end of the feeding trial, the rabbits were stunned and slaughtered; the testes and epididymis were carefully removed and homogenised to determine sperm reserves using standard procedure. The result showed that semen indices were not significantly influenced by the dietary levels of zinc gluconate. Seminal zinc concentration was significantly higher in males fed 100 and 150 mg of zinc per kg compared to those in the control group. A higher body weight gain (454±50.3 g), testes weight (6.23±0.25 g) and epididymis weight (1.63±0.59 g) was recorded in males fed diet supplemented with 50 mg of Zinc gluconate per kg. No significant effect of dietary zinc supplementation was recorded in testicular sperm reserve. Epididymal sperm reserve was significantly higher in males fed the diets including 100 and 150 mg of zinc gluconate per kg. In conclusion, dietary levels of zinc gluconate did not improve semen quality and growth indices but increased seminal zinc concentration, which could result in improved prostate health in the heterogeneous stock of male rabbits in the tropics.&lt;/p&gt;

Growth response, organ morphometry, sperm production and reserve in rabbit bucks administered carrot fruit extracts

An experiment was conducted for 12 weeks to investigate the anti-oxidative effect of carrot fruit extracts administered to rabbit bucks on growth, organ characteristics, gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves, and daily sperm production. A total of 35 rabbit bucks (four months old with average weight of 1.62±0.2kg) were randomly allotted into treatment groups each containing seven bucks per replicate. The bucks were subjected to the same environmental conditions and were assigned into five doses of carrot fruit extracts administration: Treatment 1 (0 mL of carrot fruit extracts (CE)/kg BW i.e. control), treatment 2 (0.5 mL CE/kg BW), treatment 3 (1.0 mL CE/kg BW), treatment 4 (1.5 ml CE/kg BW), treatment 5 (2 mL CE/kg BW). The extract was administered by drenching using corn oil as the carrier. The bucks were weighed weekly to determine weight gain and feed conversion ratio. At the end of the trial, the bucks were sacrificed, dissected, organs removed and weighed. Testes and epididymis were homogenised and filtered. The sperm cells in the testicular and epididymal homogenates were determined. Organ characteristics: eviscerated weight, adrenal gland, liver, lungs, kidney, pancreas, bile, testis, spleen, heart and GIT weight were measured. Data were subjected to analysis of variance at P = 0.05. The bucks administered with 1.0 mL CE had the highest relative eviscerated weight (48.74±6.73%) and also recorded the highest weight gain (0.21±0.15g/day) when compared to other treatments. There was non-significant difference for most of the organs assessed except for the GIT and spleen weight. The GIT weight was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in T1 (15.41%), T3 (14.81%) and T4 (16.23%) than T2 (13.58) and T5 (13.09%) in rabbits administered 0.5mL and 2.0mL CE/kg BW, respectively. Relative spleen weight of rabbits administered 0.2mL CE/kg BW was similar to T1 but significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher than T2, T3 and T4. Testicular and epididymal sperms reserves significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased as the concentration of the carrot fruit extract administered to rabbits increased. Daily sperm production was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in treated bucks than the control bucks. This study suggests that administering carrot fruit extracts up to 2mL/kg body weight increased growth, sperm cell production and testicular sperm reserve.

The effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on semen characteristics and testicular profiles of Red Sokoto Bucks

The present work evaluated the effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on reproductive parameters of Red Sokoto bucks. Twenty Red Sokoto bucks were used for the experiment. After a 14-day pre-treatment period, bucks were assigned for 90 days to one of four isonitrogeneous treatments: control (diet A); 0 mg kg-1 of total gossypol, (diet B); 15% mg kg-1 of total gossypol, (diet C); 30% mg kg-1 of total gossypol and (diet D); 45% mg kg-1 of total gossypol. The mean percentage sperm gross motility was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower in group D (45% WCS) compared to groups C (30% WCS) and A (control) at days 60, 75 and 90. The mean semen pH and reaction time were not significantly (p &gt; 0.05) different among treatment groups. Semen colour of the bucks in the control group was majorly creamy, in group C (30% WCS) and B (15% WCS) creamy to milky and group D (45% WCS) colourless. The mean semen volume was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in groups C and A compared to group D (45% WCS) at days 60, 75 and 90. The mean semen concentration was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower in group D (45% WCS) when compared to group A (control) at days 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90. Group A (control) bucks had significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher percentage live sperm compared to those in group D (45% WCS) at days 45, 60, 75 and 90. Mean Sperm morphological abnormalities including detached head, free tail curved tail and midpiece droplets were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in group D (45%) than in group A (Control) at day 15 (for free tails) and day 90 (for all). Testicular and epididymal sperm reserves were higher in animals supplemented with up to 30% whole cottonseed. In conclusion, feeding bucks above 30% WCS resulted in more deleterious effects on the semen characteristics and testicular profile.

The effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on weekly weights, scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal sperm reserves of Red Sokoto Bucks

Introduction: Testicular size is a good predictor of sperm production, service capacity and sexual development in most species. The correlation between body weight, scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal sperm reserves in farm animals is very essential in the determination of fertility rates and reproductive performance. The present work evaluated the effects of feeding graded levels of whole cottonseed on weekly weights, scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal sperm reserves of Red Sokoto bucks. Twenty Red Sokoto bucks were used for the experiment. Method: After a 14-day pre-treatment period, bucks were assigned for 90 days to one of four isonitrogenous treatments: control (diet A); 0 mg/kg of total gossypol, (diet B); 15 % mg/kg of total gossypol, (diet C); 30 % mg/kg of total gossypol and (diet D); 45 % mg/ kg of total gossypol. Mean weekly body weights and scrotal circumference changes were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) different among various treatment groups; bucks in group C (30% WCS) gained the highest body weight and scrotal circumference while bucks in group D (45 % WCS) had the least. Mean testicular and epididymal sperm reserves were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) different among various treatment groups; bucks in group C (30% WCS) had the highest while bucks in group D (45 % WCS) had the least. Result: Weight gain, scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal sperm reserves of Red Sokoto bucks were higher in animals supplemented with 30 % whole cottonseed. Significance: The relationship between body weights, scrotal circumference, testicular and epididymal sperm reserves can be a valuable parameter in the determination of fertility rates, reproductive performance and economic significance in Red Sokoto Bucks.

Chronic oral exposure to Artemether–lumenfantrine induced testicular and epidydimal damage, germ cell death and severe decrease sperm viability in BALB/c mice

Malaria is currently the world's most important parasitic infection, especially in the tropical countries, where the disease has continually been a major cause of morbidity and death. In most African countries, Artemether–lumenfantrine is drug of choice for treatment of malaria and the drug is readily available over the counter, promoting its continuous and indiscriminate use without proper parasitological diagnosis. Here, we investigate the effects of long term but low dose administration of Artemether- lumefantrine on the semen quality and gross weight and histology of the testis and epidydimis of male BALB/c mice. A total of 10 BALB/c male mice weighing 25.2± 0.60g were used and distributed equally into two groups; control and Artemether- lumefantrine. We analyzed absolute and relative testicular weight, and volume, sperm reserve and quality as well as testicular and epidydimal histopathological changes following long term but low dose Artemether- lumefantrine treatment of mice. Both the absolute and relative testicular weights as well as the average testicular volume of treated mice were influenced and significantly decreased. Testicular and epididymal sperm cells storage potential, percentage sperm cells motility and mass activity were significantly decreased in Artemether-lumefantrine treated group compared to control. Also, exposure to Artemether-lumefantrine induced severe disruption of testicular seminiferous tubules with multiple areas of vacuolar degeneration and coagulative necrosis. The epithelia cells of the epidydimis of Artemether-lumefantrine treated mice group also showed severe vacuolar and necrotic degenerations, loss of cilia and multiple foci of lymphocytes infiltrations. In conclusion, this study showed that long term but low dose administration of Artemether-lumefantrine can lead to infertility.

English

The study was done to assess the ameliorative effects of co-administration of methanol extract of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark and diminazene aceturate on trypanosomosis induced testicular and haematological changes in infected male rat. Twenty five male rats were used in the study and assigned into five groups (n=5). Trypanosoma brucei was inoculated into Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 rats except Group 5. Diminazene aceturate (7 mg/kg) was administered to group 1. Methanol extract of B. ferruginea (20 mg/kg) was administered to Group 2. Diaminazine aceturate (7 mg/kg) and B. Ferruginea (20 mg/kg) were administered to Group 3. The infected and untreated rats constituted Group 4. The normal control was Group 5. Parameters assessed were weight of the testicles, testicular sperm and epididymal sperm counts, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood and white blood cell counts. At the end of the experiment, there were significant increases in the testicular sperm (56.40±4.55) and epididymal sperm counts (24.34 ± 0.5) of group 3 compared to Group 2 – testicular sperm reserve (51.34 ± 6.19), epididymal sperm reserve (19.38 ± 4.14) and Group 1 – testicular sperm reserve (54.01± 6.92), epididymal sperm reserve (20 ± 5.79). The WBC was significantly higher in infected untreated (13. 70 ± 5.15) compared to Groups 1 (10.96 ± 1.21), 2 (10.36 ± 2.09) and 3 (10.55 ± 0.49). The results above showed that co-administration of diminazene aceturate and B. ferruginea extract produced optimum ameliorative effect. Key words: Bridelia ferruginea, diminazene aceturate, testicular changes, trypanosomosis.

English

This study was designed to evaluate the preventive potentials of vitamin E and glibenclamide on spermatogenic and haematological damages in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats. Thirty mature male albino rats randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=6) were used for the study. Diabetes was experimentally induced in groups 1 to 4 while group 5 rats served as the negative control. Rats in groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated with glibenclamide, glibenclamide+Vitamin E, and Vitamin E, respectively while rats in group 4 served as the diabetic (positive) control. Results showed that percentage sperm motility was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1. Rats in group 2 recorded significant increases (p&lt;0.05) in testicular weight, epididymal sperm reserve and testicular sperm reserve compared to groups 3 and 4, respectively. Rats of group 2 also had significantly higher packed cell volume and red blood cell counts compared to groups 1 and 3. Results from the study showed that combination of vitamin E and glibenclamide had optimum protective potential on the physiological parameters evaluated. Key words: Diabetes, vitamin E, glibenclamide, spermatogenic changes, haematology, albino rats. &nbsp

Testicular and epididymal sperm reserve evaluations in three Jordanian goat breeds

ABSTRACTThe study aimed to determine the effect of goat breed (Shami, Mountain Black and Hybrid) on testicular and epididymal sperm reserves. The study was conducted at Mutah University Animal Farm, Jordan in March 2016. The study area lies between Latitude of 31°27″ N, Longitude of 35°74″ W, and an altitude of 960 m. Average temperature and relative humidity recorded during the study were 14.6°C and 59.0%, respectively. Hybrid had the heaviest (P = 0.04) right tail epididymal weight (6.36 ± 0.3 g), the highest (P = 0.03) epididymosomatic index (0.60 ± 0.1 g/kg), and the widest (P = 0.02) testicular width (0.32 ± 0.03 cm/kg) relative to body weight. Epididymal sperm concentrations in the right testicular side were the highest (P = 0.04) in Hybrid (0.530 ± 0.15 × 109 sperm/ml) compared to Shami (0.386 ± 0.04 × 109 sperm/ml) and Mountain Black (0.322 ± 0.10 × 109 sperm/ml). Total testicular-epididymal sperm concentrations in both testes were the highest (P = 0.04) in Hybrid (0.810 ± 0.20 × 10 sperm/ml) compared to Shami (0.764 ± 0.09 × 109 sperm/ml) and Mountain Black (0.716 ± 0.12 × 109 sperm/ml). Furthermore, Hybrid had the highest (P = 0.05) epididymal body sperm concentrations (0.252 ± 0.05 × 109 sperm/ml) in both testes compared to Mountain Black and Shami. Taken together, the outcomes of this work highlighted the testicular and epididymal sperm traits in bucks of three breeds native to the semiarid region of Jordan. Hybrid displayed greater testicular traits than Shami and Mountain Black.

Testicular morphometry and sperm reserves of local turkey toms fed varying levels of protein in the diet

The morphometry and sperm reserves of the testis, epididymis and vas deferens of three groups (n=5/ group) of sexually active adult local turkey toms fed isocaloric diet with varying levels (12 %, 16 %, 20 %) of protein were studied for sixteen weeks. The weights of the toms before treatment were between 3.5 – 4.5 kg, while at the end of the experiment the mean ± SD live weight were 5.29 ± 0.65, 5.39 ± 0.45 and 5.63 ± 0.49 kg for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean ± SD weights of the paired tunics, testis, epididymis and vas deferens, respectively, were 0.41 ± 0.11 g, 8.27 ± 2.37 g, 0.28 ± 0. 07 g and 0.36 ± 0.11 g (group 1): 0.43 ± 0.02 g, 8.50 ± 0.65 g, 0.33 ± 0.11 g and 0.40 ± 0.11 g (group 2) and: 0.49 ± 0.16 g, 9.83 ± 3.08 g, 0.40 ± 0.13 g and 0.50 ± 0.18 g, (group 3). The mean ± SD lengths of the testes were: 3.72 ± 0.34 cm, 4.40 ± 0.47 cm and 4.48 ± 1.14 cm; the epididymis: 3.12 ± 0.56 cm, 3.17 ± 0.67cm and 3.48 ± 0.49 cm, and the vas deferens: 17.27 ± 1.10 cm, 17.33 ± 0.93 cm and 17.49 ± 1.10 cm, for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Mostly, the parameters of the left organs were greater than those of the right. The mean ± SD weight of the testes positively correlated with that of the epididymis in all the groups (r = 0.72, 0.65 and 0.87 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively) and the vas deferens (r = 0.54, 0.72 and 0.75 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively). The gonadal sperm reserves were 0.19 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml, 0.21 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml and 0.21 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean ± SD extragonadal sperm reserves were, epididymis: 0.08 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml, 0.12 ± 0.01 x 109 cells/ml, 0.18 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml, and vas deferens: 2.00 ± 0.13 x 109 cells/ml, 2.82 ± 0.50 x 109 cells/ml and 3.75 ± 0.60 x 109 cells/ml for the three groups respectively. The vas deferens had about 88 %, of the extragonadal sperm reserve in group 1 and 90 % in groups 2 and 3. Sperm reserve was positively correlated to body weight and to the length of the testis. The results suggest, therefore, that morphometry and sperm reserves were better in turkey toms fed 16 % and 20 % than 12 % protein diets.Keywords: Crude protein, Fertility, Morphometry, Reproduction, Sperm reserves, Turkey tom

Effect of Gonadotrophin (Pergonal ®) on body size, reproductive characteristics and sperm reserves of mature Ouda rams

Two groups of 4 healthy Ouda rams aged 2.0 to 2.6 years, weighing between 38.21 kg and 38.32 kg were assigned to either 49.50i.u (T2) or 99.00i.u (T3) Pergonal injections (Ferring Labs. USA) each divided into 3 doses and given for 3 consecutive days. Another group of 4 rams was given normal saline (1 ml) during the same period to serve as control (T1). All treatments were given to study the effect of the drug on body conformation and sperm reserves. All the treatments were given by intramuscular injections. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in body conformation, testicular, epididymal and vas deferens weights. The results further showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in testicular and extra testicular sperm reserves. High correlations were observed between body weight and conformation, weight of epididymal segments and testicular sperm reserves. The results of this study showed that apart from body weight, the body conformation, testes, epididymal and vas deferens weights and sperm reserves of Ouda rams would be improved at the level of 99.00i.u Pergonal and this level should be recommended for induction of spermatogenesis in Ouda rams.

The effects of sub-chronic administration of sub-lethal doses of amitraz/xylene on selected reproductive parameters of male Wistar rats.

This study investigated the effects of sub-chronic administration of sub-lethal doses of amitraz on some testicular parameters of Albino rats. Twenty-four adult male Albino rats (100 ± 10 g) randomly assigned into four groups were used for the study. Groups A, B and C received 10.0, 2.0 and 0.4 mg/kg amitraz in 10 ml/kg water while group D received equivalent volume of water orally and daily for 84 days. Serum testosterone levels (TESL) were assessed on days 0, 28, 56 and 84. Epididymal sperm reserve (ESR), testicular sperm reserve (TSR), testicular weight index (TWI) and testicular histology were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results revealed dose-dependent reduction (P<0.05) in the mean TESL, ESR and TSR in the amitraz-treated groups as the dose of the amitraz increased. Histological study revealed testicular degeneration characterized by depopulation of seminiferous tubules and depletion of the spermatogenic cells in rats in group A. It was concluded that sub-chronic administration of sub-lethal doses of amitraz could lead to reduced sperm quantity.

Effects of Garcinia Kola Extract on the Testicular Sperm Reserve of Adult Male Guinea Pig

The effect of Garcinia Kola extract on testicular sperm reserve was investigated by using varying concentrations and duration of administration of the extract. Twenty‐five adult male Guinea pigs were randomly divided into five groups containing five Guinea pigs in each group. The first four groups served as experimental groups and the other one served as control group. The Guinea pigs in group A was given a dose that ranged from 60.0 to 37.5mg/kg body weight with a concentration of 100mg/kg body weight while those of group B were given a dose that ranged from 200 to 75mg/kg having a concentration of 500mg/kg body weight. Group A and Group B had time duration of just one week. The Guinea Pigs in Group C was given a dose that ranged from 40.0mg to 20.0mg/kg body weight with a concentration of 100mg/kg body weight, while those of Group D were given a dose that ranged from 175mg to 75mg/kg body weight having a concentration of 500mg/kg body weight. The two Groups had time duration of two weeks. The extract was administered orally daily, for the one and two weeks consecutively. Group E served as the control group. The animals were weighed, sacrificed and the testes collected the right testis was macerated in 2ml of semen diluting fluid until a homogenous mixture was formed. An improved Neubauer's Chamber was used to determine the testicular sperm reserve. The control Group had a significant higher (p&lt;0.05) testicular sperm reserve than the treated Groups, especially Groups B and D that had doses with concentration of 500mg/kg body weight. The extract did not exhibit any effect on the testicular body mass. The result suggests that oral administration of Garcinia Kola extract reduced testicular sperm reserve of male Guinea Pigs in a concentration dependent manner.

Germ cells and the seminiferous epithelium cycle in the wild rodent Oxymycterus rufus (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Oxymycterus rufus is a wild rodent that inhabits one of the world hotspots known as the Atlantic Rain Forest in Brazil. Due to the lack of reproductive data regarding such species, the present study aimed to describe O. rufus spermatogenic process through morphometrical and stereological analyses. To do so, testicular fragments of five sexually mature males were routinely processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that each seminiferous epithelium cycle corresponded to 6.58 days, while the entire spermatogenic process lasted 29.61 days. The coefficient of spermatogonial mitoses was 5.64 and 2.79 spermatids were produced from each primary spermatocyte in pachytene. The spermatogenesis yield was 11.98 cells. The Sertoli cell index was 4.29, while its overall support capacity was 8.21 cells. The testicular sperm reserve was 183.5 x 10 6 cells, while 962.00 x 10 6 spermatids were found per gram of testis. The daily sperm production per testis and per gram of testis was 28.56 x 10 6 and 73.13 x 10 6 sperm, respectively. Therefore, the short duration of the seminiferous epithelium cycle along with rapid production of sperm indicates that O. rufus shows high efficiency in spermatogenesis.