TESTOSTERONE PROFILE AND TESTICULAR MORPHOMETRY OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF YAM (Dioscorea Spp) PEEL MEAL AS SUPPLEMENT TO SHEA BUTTER

Abstract

The study evaluated the testosterone profile and testicular morphometry of red Sokoto bucks fed diets containing graded levels of yam peel meal as supplement to shea butter leaves. Sixteen (16) Red Sokoto bucks aged about 11 – 12 months old were allocated into four (4) treatments of four (4) bucks each. The bucks were acclimatized for 7 days and subsequently fed shea butter leaves at 500g/buck/day and a concentrate supplement diet (containing 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% yam peels) at 250g per buck/day for duration of fifty (50) days. Water was served ad libitum; feed intake was monitored and recorded. The experimental design was a complete randomized design. Concentrate, yam peels and shea butter leaves samples were analyzed for their proximate composition. Scrotal circumference was measured at the beginning and end of the study. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and analyzed for testosterone profile. Three bucks were slaughtered per group and testicular morphometry parameters were analyzed. Serum testosterone concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the treatment groups than the control group, treatment four had the highest value. The values obtained for scrotal circumference, length, weight and volume of the testis were significantly higher in the treatment groups than the control group, especially in T4. The findings show that the yam peels had positive effects on serum testosterone and Testicular morphometry and thus suggests that it supports reproduction. Treatment four supported better reproductive function and is both safe and beneficial for enhancing fertility.