SEMEN CHARACTERISTICS OF RABBIT BUCKS SUPPLEMENTED WITH BITTER KOLA (Garcinia kola) SEED CRUDE EXTRACT IN WATER

Abstract

The semen characteristics of rabbit’s bucks fed bitter kola seed crude extracts (BKSCE) in drinking water was investigated during a 24–week study conducted at the Rabbitry unit, Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi. Twenty-seven (27) nondescript rabbit bucks, aged 9–10 weeks were assigned randomly to 3 groups of 9 bucks each that was replicated 3 times with 3 bucks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Fresh bitter kola seeds were processed and extracted by macerating 1500 g powder per 10 L water for 24 hours followed by sieving and cold storage until used. The stored extract was reconstituted at 0, 25 and 50% levels respectively and offered daily at a single dose (100 ml) in drinking water. Bucks received the basal diet and 3 levels of the reconstituted extract accordingly. Semen samples were evaluated from 18 bucks (2 per replicate) using standard procedures while data were subjected to General Linear Model using IBM SPSS version 21. Creamy– white semen colour dominated followed by milk–white in accordance with the BKSCE levels. Although, semen pH, volume, mass motility, progressive motility, sperm concentration, sperm count, live sperm, morphology and acrosome integrity respectively were statistically similar (P>0.05), bucks offered 25% BKSCE recorded numerically higher values in all of these seminal traits except semen volume and normal sperm thus indicating its possible androgenic properties. In conclusion, BKSCE has potentials of improving the seminal characteristics of rabbit bucks.