Semen characteristics and sperm morphological studies of the West African Dwarf Buck treated with Aloe vera gel extract

Aloe vera [Aloe barbadensis miller] is an evergreen perennial plant widely used in modern herbal practice and is often available in proprietary herbal preparations. This study was designed to investigate the semen picture and spermatozoa morphology of West African Dwarf [WAD] bucks treated with Aloe vera extract. Twelve sexually matured WAD bucks, weighing between 11 and 15 kg, were used for the study. The bucks were first used as control [pre-treatment] and later as two groups of six animals each. The first six bucks received 10 mls of the 3% extract while the other six received 10 mls of the 4% of the extract for a 7 day period. Semen was collected from both the 3 and 4% extract treated bucks for the control [pre-treatment], on days eight [first week post-treatment] and fifteen [second week post-treatment] in each case using the electroejaculation method. The spermiogram of the bucks were investigated using standard procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using two way ANOVA and significance reported at p<0.05. The continuous administration of Aloe vera extract significantly [p<0.05] reduced sperm concentration, motility and percentage livability and resulted in increased sperm abnormalities in the WAD buck. Aloe vera adversely affected the spermiogram of bucks. The plant can reduce fertility in male animals and is therefore not recommended for medicinal purpose in male animals especially those used for breeding

Sperm morphological characteristic and mating behaviour of Proviron® treated West African dwarf bucks with testicular degeneration / Características morfológicas de los espermatozoides y comportamiento en el apareamiento de la cabra enana del Oeste Africano con degeneración testicular tratadas con Proviron®

This study was conducted to determine the effect of scrotal insulation and post insulation Proviron® treatment on sperm morphological characteristics and mating behavior. Twelve healthy WAD bucks, free from any clinical or andrological disorder were used. Scrotal insulation was done using insulating bags for 30 days. After insulation, the bucks were divided into two groups. The treatment group received 100mg/head /week of Proviron® for 3 weeks. Semen collection was done using the electroejaculation method in all phases of the study. The proviron® treated bucks, when compared with insulation and post insulation untreated phases, showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in sperm cell abnormalities which reduced from 15.89 +/- 22.89 in post insulation untreated phase to 2.81 +/- 0.83 in post insulation treated phase. The Proviron® treated bucks also showed increased physical vigor by riding, mounting and fighting their untreated counterparts.

Este estudio se realizó para determinar el efecto de aislamiento escrotal y aislamiento posterior al tratamiento con Proviron® sobre las características morfológicas de los espermatozoides y el comportamiento del apareamiento. Fueron utilizadas 12 cabras enanas del Oeste Africano, sanas, libres de cualquier desorden clínico andrológico. El aislamiento escrotal se realizó utilizando bolsas de aislamiento durante 30 días. Después de aislamiento, los machos se dividieron en dos grupos. El grupo de tratamiento recibió 100mg/cada una por semana de Proviron® durante 3 semanas. La recolección de semen se realizó mediante el método de electroeyaculación en todas las fases del estudio. Las cabras tratadas con Proviron®, cuando se compararon con las fases post-aislamiento no tratadas, mostraron una reducción significativa (p<0,05) en las anormalidades de células espermáticas, las cuales se redujeron desde 15,89 +/- 22,89 en las fases post-aislamiento sin tratamiento a 2,81 +/- 0,83 en las fases post-aislamiento tratadas. Las cabras tratadas con Proviron® también mostraron un incremento en el vigor físico, la monta y la lucha contra sus homólogos no tratados.

Morphological characteristics and haematological studies in Wistar rats subjected to prolonged treatment of chloramphenicol / Características morfológicas y estudios hematológicos en ratas Wistar sometidas a un tratamiento prolongado con cloranfenicol

The morphological characteristics and haematological studies were studied in fifteen male albino rats (Wistar Strain) aged between 12 and 14 weeks and with a body weight of 150- 180g. The rats were allowed to feed on commercially prepared rat pellet and provided with fresh water ad libitum. The rats were divided into three groups; the rats were in groups A, B and C of 5 rats each. Group A served as control of the study; Group B was treated with Chloramphenicol at the dose rate of 25mg/kg body weight per os for 20 days; while Group C was treated for 25 days. Semen used in this study was obtained from the caudal epididymides while morphological aberrations were determined from spermatozoa counted after stained with Wells and Awa stain. Results of the spermiogram showed that the volume was decreasing as the prolonged dosage of chloramphenicol increases. The percentage motility in Group A (89.0 + 2.45 percent), differed significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to Group B (72.0 + 3.74 percent) and Group C (66.0 + 2.45 percent). The same pattern is observed in percentage liveability, morphological aberration and sperm concentration. This indicates that prolonged dosage of chloramphenicol will cause infertility in male animals. It is therefore concluded and recommended that prolonged dosage of chloramphenicol can cause infertility and or sterility. So it should not be used in male animals meant for mature breeding and artificial insemination programme.

Fueron estudiadas las características morfológicas y hematológicas de 15 ratas albinas Wistar, macho, entre 12 y 14 semanas y con un peso corporal de 150 - 180g. Las ratas fueron alimentadas con pellet preparado comercialmente y con agua fresca ad libitum. Las ratas fueron divididas en tres grupos de 5 ejemplares cada uno. El Grupo A sirvió como control; Grupo B fue tratado con cloranfenicol en dosis de 25mg/kg de peso corporal durante 20 días, mientras que el Grupo C recibió este tratamiento durante 25 días. El esperma utilizado en este estudio se obtuvo desde la cauda del epidídimo, donde las aberraciones morfológicas fueron determinadas a partir del conteo de espermatozoides, después de ser teñidos con la tinción de Wells y Awa. Los resultados del espermiograma puso de manifiesto que el volumen fue disminuyendo a medida que la dosis de cloranfenicol aumentaba. El porcentaje de motilidad en el grupo A (89,0 +/- 2,45 por ciento), fue diferente significativamente (p <0,05) en comparación con el Grupo B (72,0 +/- 3,74 por ciento) y Grupo C (66,0 +/- 2,45 por ciento). El mismo patrón se observó en los porcentaje de habitabilidad, aberración morfológica y la concentración de espermatozoides. Esto indica que la prolongación de la dosis de cloranfenicol puede causar infertilidad en los animales machos. Por lo tanto, se concluye y recomienda que una prolongada dosis de cloranfenicol puede causar infertilidad o esterilidad, así que no debe utilizarse en animales machos destinados a la cría y en los programas de inseminación artificial.