TESTOSTERONE PROFILE AND TESTICULAR MORPHOMETRY OF RED SOKOTO BUCKS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF CASSAVA PEELS MEAL AS SUPPLEMENT TO NEEM LEAVES

Abstract

The study evaluated the testosterone profile and testicular morphometry of red Sokoto bucks fed diets containing graded level of cassava peels meal as supplement to neem leaves. Sixteen (16) Red Sokoto bucks aged about 8 – 9 months old were allocated into four (4) treatments of four (4) bucks each. The bucks were fed neem leaves at 300g/buck/day and a concentrate supplement diet at 250g per buck/day for a duration of fifty (50) days, water was served ad libitum, feed intake was monitored and recorded. The experimental design was a complete randomized design. Concentrate, cassava peels and neem leaves samples were analyzed for their proximate composition. At the end of the experiment, testosterone and testicular parameters were analyzed. The values obtained for testosterone and testicular morphometry did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) across the groups. It was concluded that cassava peels meal in concentrate diets for Red Sokoto bucks had no adverse effect on testosterone and testicular morphometry. Cassava peels meal can be used in supplement diets for Red Sokoto bucks from 5% - 15% level of inclusion and it is safe for male reproduction.