SEMEN QUALITY AND TESTOSTERONE CONCENTRATION IN MALE RABBITS FED CARICA PAPAYA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

Unconventional feedstuff such as Carica papaya leaf remains a relatively cheap alternate ingredient in animal feed. However, its impact on reproductive indices in farm animals have not been extensively documented. This study was therefore conducted to assess the effect of Carica papaya leaf meal on libido, semen quality and testosterone concentration in rabbit bucks. Twenty- four mature male rabbits were used for this study. The bucks were randomly allotted into four groups (CLM0, CLM5, CLM10 and CLM15) with six rabbits each and fed diets containing 0, 50, 100 and 150g of Carica papaya per kg of diet respectively for eight weeks. Libido score and semen quality was assessed weekly while serum levels of testosterone were measured at the end of the experiment using standard procedures. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Result showed that Carica papaya leaf meal had no significant effect on libido score, semen quality indices and testosterone concentration in the rabbit bucks. However, semen volume and sperm concentration were lower in bucks fed CLM diets. The highest libido score and testosterone concentration were recorded in rabbits fed 10% CLM while rabbits fed diets with no CLM had the highest semen volume and sperm concentration. Sperm concentration decreased with increasing CLM level. This implies that feedingadult male rabbits diets containing Carica papaya leaf meal may depress spermatogenic activities over a period as the dietary level increases.