ASSESSMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF YANKASA SHEEP USING ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF STEMBARK OF Crossopteryx febrifuga AS SYNCHRONIZING AGENT

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the reproductive performance of Yankasa Sheep using ethanolic extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga (stembark) as synchronizing agent. A total of twenty five Yankasa Ewes were used in the study. The ewes were randomly allocated to five treatment groups and replicated five times. One buck was assigned to each treatment group in a completely randomized design (CRD).The photochemistry revealed Alkaloids (4.13%), Flavonoids (1.96%), Saponins (1.05%), Tannins (2.11%), Steroids (6.54%) and Phenols (2.34%), while Glycosides and Terpenoids were not detected. The control group was not administered with the extract, while the remaining treatment groups T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 were administered with 5% Crossopteryx febrifuga extract through intravenous, oral, subcutaneous and intramuscular routes. Of the 20 ewes, three (3) exhibited heat within 24-48, 6 in 48-72 hours, 4 between 72-96 hours and 2 expressed heat within 96 -120 hours after Crossopteryx febrifuga (Stembark) extract administration. The estrus response rate and conception results were 100, 60, 40 and 100% and 60, 60, 20 and 80% for intravenous, oral, subcutaneous and intramuscular routes, respectively. Significant positive correlations were found between estrus and concentration (P < 0.01), calculated doses and concentration (P < 0.01), calculated doses and estrus (P<0.01), body condition score and estrus (P<0.01). It could therefore be concluded that good response rate exhibited by the sheep may be due to the presence of steroid properties which has synchronizing ability capable of inducing heat and regulate the female reproductive cycle. Intravenous and intramuscular routes of administration are recommended for ethanolic extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga (stem bark) for Yankasa sheep.