INFLUENCE OF FEED TYPE ON THE HORMONAL PROFILE OF DOES AT VARIOUS PHYSIOLOGICAL STAGES

Abstract

The study evaluated the influence of feed on the hormonal profiles of West African Dwarf (WAD) and Sahel goats at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal Polytechnic Bali, Taraba State. This is to determine the hormonal profile of does at various physiological statuses (puberty, conception and lactation). A total of 16 WAD and 16 Sahel foundation stock of both sexes were used for the study which lasted for 26 months. The animals were fed Gmelina + Cassava peel (Gm+Cpm), Gmelina + cowpea husk (Gm+Cph) Ficus + Cassava peel (Fs+Cpm) and Ficus+Cowpea husk (Fs+Cph) as experimental treatments diets in addition to basal grazing. Out of the stock population, in each treatments group, 2 adults and 8 young females at pubertal stage were assessed. To determine the hormonal level, 5ml of blood was collected from the jugular vein, and samples were then centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 minutes. The serum was then decanted into plastic tube kept at -20 oC. At the onset, the reagents, serum reference calibrators and specimen to be used in the assay were kept at room temperature (20-27 OC). known quantity (0.025 ml) 25 μL of each of the appropriate serum reference calibrator, control or specimen were separately pipette into their assigned micro plate wells in duplicates. Both breed and treatment did not affect significantly any of the hormones investigated. However, the trend showed higher levels for the Sahel goats for the three hormones. In addition, for testosterone there was seemingly a lower value for diet with Cpm. In conclusion, both progesterone and oestradiol in pregnant and lactating does did not vary with breed. However, the two varied statistically with diet and physiological status, and of course the pregnancy stage had higher hormonal values than lactation. Also, at puberty, hormonal level did not vary with breed and diet. However, the trend showed higher levels in Sahel goats and also higher oestradiol for Gm but lower values of testosterone for Cpm diets.