TESTOSTERONE CONCENTRATION LEVELS IN NORMAL AND CRYPTORCHID SHEEP

Abstract

The research was conducted to evaluate the influence of cryptorchidism on testosterone concentration in normal and cryptorchid Balami, Uda and Yankasa breeds of sheep. Eighteen (18) rams were used for the experiment, and were fed ad-lib at Kadawa Artificial Insemination Center, Kano. Blood samples of 3ml were collected via the jugular vein for enzyme Immunoassay for the Quantitative determination of testosterone in serum. Data generated were presented in charts with exceeded range of testosterone concentration levels in Balami (B3N 18 ng/ml), Uda (U2N 18 ng/ml) and Yankasa (Y1N 18 ng/ml) for normal rams, and Balami (B1UL 2.1 ng/ml, B2UR 2.1 ng/ml), Uda (U3N 2.6 ng/ml, U3N 3.8 ng/ml, U3UR 1.7 ng/ml, UIUL 8 ng/ml) and Yankasa (Y2UR 8 ng/ml and Y3UR 9 ng/ml) were within the range for normal and cryptorchid (for right and left testes) rams, and in Balami (B1N 0.001 ng/ml) and Uda (U2UR 0.001) were below the range for normal and cryptorchid (right testes) breeds of sheep respectively. It was concluded that cryptorchidism has no effect on testosterone concentration in Balami, Uda and Yankasa breeds of sheep. It was concluded that unilateral cryptorchidism has no effect on the circulating levels of testosterone in affected Balami, Uda and Yankasa breeds of sheep.