ABSTRACT
Aim of Study: To investigate the effects of oral administration of moringa seed on sperm production rate and gonadal sperm reserve in rabbits. Study Design: 7 Month old mixed breed male rabbits were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Group 1(n=30) was the control group whereas the rabbits in group 2 (n=30) were administered Moringa oleifera seed powder in drinking water (250mg/L). After 4 weeks, the gonadal sperm reserve, daily sperm production, sperm production per gram testes and testicular dimensions (weight, volume and density) was compared between the two groups. Place and Duration of Study: Livestock farm, College of Agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa state, Nigeria, from May to June 2013. Methodology: Gonadal sperm reserve was estimated using a haemocytometer. Testicular weight and volume were determined using laboratory scale and water displacement method respectively. Parenchyma (1g) of each testis was sectioned and homogenized in 10ml of normal saline. The homogenate was filtered through 2 layers of loosely netted bandage. Spermatozoa number was determined using an improved Neubauer chamber. Daily sperm production (DSP) was estimated by dividing the gonadal sperm reserve by a time divisor of 3.66 corresponding to the time in days of the duration of the seminiferous epithelium cycle. Daily sperm production per gram testes (DSPG) was determined by dividing the DSP by the weight of testicular parenchyma. Results: The results indicate significantly higher gonadal sperm reserve and daily sperm production for the control group compared to the treatment,(4.37±.18 to 3.27±.32 and 1.20±.06 to 0.77±.09) Mean values of daily sperm production per gram testes were however similar for all groups(0.53±.03 and 0.47±.20). Testicular weight (2.20±.06 to 1.43±.12) and volume (2.20±.15 to 1.73±.07) were significantly higher for the control group compared to treatment (P=0.05). Tissue density was similar for both groups (1.01±.05 to 0.82±.07).
ABSTRACT
As dimensões e o peso testicular foram avaliados em 25 machos adultos de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix japonica) e correlacionados entre si, a fim de se buscar obter informações que possibilitem a criação de um parâmetro preditivo da capacidade de produção espermática. As aves foram abatidas e os testículos removidos para mensuração e pesagem. As dimensões e o peso entre os testículos esquerdo e direito foram comparados. Os parâmetros testiculares foram correlacionados entre si por meio da determinação do coeficiente de correlação linear. O índice gonadossomático também foi determinado, indicando alocação de 3,68% do peso corporal em testículos nos machos avaliados, resultado maior do que os descritos na literatura. Apesar da diferença de formato entre os testículos esquerdo e direito, o peso foi semelhante, sugerindo que não há diferença na capacidade de produção espermática entre eles. Diferença estatística entre os valores biométricos indica que o testículo esquerdo é mais curto e mais arredondado, enquanto o direito é mais longo e estreito. O peso corporal apresentou baixa correlação com o peso testicular, 0,14 e 0,12 para os testículos esquerdo e direito, respectivamente. Os parâmetros que melhor se correlacionaram com o peso testicular foram a largura e a espessura. Considerando-se a identificação de um parâmetro único para comparação entre machos, a espessura do testículo esquerdo apresentou coeficiente de correlação linear de 0,89 com o somatório do peso dos dois testículos. Com base nessa informação, métodos não invasivos, como a ultrassonografia, poderiam ser utilizados para estimar o potencial reprodutivo e auxiliar na comparação de machos de codornas japonesas em núcleos de seleção de aves elite, contribuindo para melhoramento genético da espécie.
The size and testis weight were evaluated and correlated in 25 adult male Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), seeking information to enable the development of a predictive parameter of sperm production capacity. The birds were slaughtered and testes removed for measuring and weighing. The size and testis weight were compared between the left and right. The testicular parameters were correlated by determining the linear correlation coefficient. The gonadosomatic index was also determined, indicating the allocation of 3.68% of body weight in the testes, greater than described in literature. Despite the difference in shape between the left and right testis, weight was similar, suggesting that there is no difference in the capacity of sperm production amongst them. A statistical difference between the biometric values indicates that the left testicle is shorter and more rounded, while the right is longer and narrower. Body weight showed a low correlation with the testicular weight, 0.14 and 0.12 for the left and right testes, respectively. The parameters that best correlated with testicular weight were the width and thickness. Given the identification of a single parameter for comparison of males, the thickness of the left testis showed linear correlation coefficient of 0.89 with the sum of the weight of both testicles. From this information, noninvasive methods such as ultrasound could be used to estimate the reproductive potential and ease the comparison of male Japanese quail in elite selection nuclei, contributing to the genetic improvement of the species.