SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS AND GROWTH INDICES OF MALE RABBITS FED DIETARY LEVELS OF VERNON" AMYGDALINA

Abstract

The effect of dietary levels of Vernonia amygdalina Leaf Meal (VLM) on semen and growth indices in male rabbits was assessed in this study. Dried Vernonia amygdalina leaves was milled and included into the experimental diets at 0, 5, 10 and 15 %. The diets were fed to forty male rabbits with ten bucks per group for twelve weeks. Semen was collected from the bucks weekly and assessed for semen volume (ml), spermatozoa motility (%), sperm concentration (xl 0⁷/ml) and live sperm cells (%). Body weight gain was monitored weekly using a sensitive weighing scale and morphometric traits were measured once every two weeks using a measuring tape. Five rabbits per group were stunted, slaughtered; the testes were harvested and weighed. Data obtained were analyzed using Analysis of Variance. The result obtained showed that dietary inclusion of VLM had a significant (P<0.05) effect on semen volume and live sperm cells (%). The average weekly weight gain of the rabbit bucks was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by VLM among the groups. Among the morphometric traits measured, only body length was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the inclusion of VLM in the diets of the animals. The highest testes weight (4.57g) was recorded in bucks fed 10% VLM diets. Inclusion of VLM in the diet of male rabbits had no adverse effect on all the parameters assessed. Improved weight gain was recorded at 10kg/100kg diet. It can be inferred that Vernonia amygdalina can be adopted as a component of male rabbits' diet but not for boasting their semen quality.