The reproductive tract morphometry and gonadal sperm reserve of rabbits (bucks) fed cassava peel meal diet as replacement for maize in the south- south region of Nigeria

Abstract

The reproductive tract morphometry and gonadal sperm reserve of Rabbits (Bucks) fed cassava peel meal diet as replacement for maize in the South- South region of Nigeria was determined, with 60 crossbred pre-pubertal rabbit of mixed sexes (30 bucks and 30 does) with an initial weight of 698.34+0.02g were used in a feeding trial that lasted for 9 weeks for the growth phase and another 16 weeks for pubertal/ Reproductive phase. Five experimental diets were formulated during the two phases. The diets Comprise 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacement levels of cassava peel meal for maize and were assigned to T1 (Control), T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. The rabbits were randomly distributed to different treatments groups after equalizing for weight; using a completely randomized design (CRD). All data obtained were subjected to the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results for the Epidydimal and Testicular morphometry showed a non-significant (P>0.05) effect for absolute and relative weight values, while the total sperm reserve was significantly (P>0.05) affected by dietary treatment with treatment 5 having the least total sperm reserve. However, the testes volume showed a non-significant effect. The study concludes that the cassava peel meal diet as replacement for maize, adversely affected the total sperm reserve and testes volume as the level of replacement increased in the study.