RESUMO
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).