Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med. 2014 Musa Azara S I et al., 2014 Research Paper ISSN 2320-3730 www.ijasvm.com Vol. 2, No. 1, February 2014 2014 www.ijasvm.com. All Rights Reserved EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED ON BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FEMALE RABBITS Musa Azara S I 1*, Jibrin M 1, Hassan D I 1 and Yakubu A 2 *Corresponding Author: Musa Azara S I dribmazara@yahoo.com All parts of moringa tree are being consumed by humans and animals with the secondary metabolite having the potential to affect health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera seed on the blood chemistry and reproductive performance of female Rabbits. Fourty 8 month old Chinchila breed of rabbits were used for the study. The rabbits were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Does in group 1 serve as control and were given normal drinking water. Animals in group 2 were administered M.oleifera seed powder in drinking water (250 mg/l). The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. The results indicate significantly lower values for packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cells in the treatment group compared to the control (p < 0.05). The values for white blood cells are similar for all groups. Similarly, Mean values of glucose and cholesterol are significantly lower in the treatment groups (p < 0.05). Whereas values for total protein, globulin and albumin are similar for both groups. Findings also indicate significantly lower litter size and higher birth weight in the treatment group, gestation period are however similar for both groups. Keywords: Moringa seed, Blood chemistry, Reproductive performance, Rabbits INTRODUCTION Several plant species have proven to be important to both Man and Animals for the treatment of diseases and the maintenance of health (Ahmed et al., 2007). In developing countries, Moringa has the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land use. It may be used as forage for livestock and a natural antihelminthic (Mihajan et al., 2007). The seeds are eaten green, roasted, powdered and steeped for tea or used in curries. The seed powder are reported to be protective against arsenic induced oxidative tissue damage and 1 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Lafia Nigeria. 2 Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State, University Nigeria. 18
Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med. 2014 Musa Azara S I et al., 2014 also increase activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase (Guphta et al., 2007). Crushed seeds are highly effective in clarifying very turbid water (Muyibi and Evison, 1995). The aqueous extract of root and bark showed post-coital antifertility in Rat and also induced fetal resorption at late pregnancy (Bhoomika et al., 2007). The estrogenic effects of moringa roots have been documented (Chinmoy, 2007). All parts of moringa tree are being consumed by humans with the secondary metabolite having the potential to affect health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera seed on the blood chemistry and reproductive performance of female Rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS Location of Study The research was conducted in the livestock farm of college of agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa state. It is located in the guinea savannah zone of northern Nigeria and found on latitude 08 35 N and longitude 08 33 E, respectively. Experimental Animals and Design Performance Rabbit bucks age 12-15 months old were introduced to the does for mating. The does were observed until the end of gestation period. Parameters recorded include, gestation period, litter size and average litter weight. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Analysis of variance was done for all recorded Fourty 8 month old Chinchila breed of rabbits were used for the study. The does were individually housed in well ventilated wire cages, wooden stand were used to raise the cages above concrete floor. The rabbits were randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Does in group 1 serve as control and were given normal drinking water. Animals in group 2 were administered M.oleifera seed powder in drinking water (250 mg/l). Moringa oleifera seeds were collected from gardens around Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. The seeds were sun dried and milled to powder using a hand mill. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. DATA COLLECTION At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the ear vein using sterile disposal needles. Samples were placed into 2 separate sets of test tubes. Samples collected into test tubes containing eethylene diaminetetra acetic acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant were used for Hematological investigation. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Hematological parameters determined include; Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell counts and white blood cell counts. Serum biochemical characteristics determined include: total protein, albumin, cholesterol and globulin. Analysis was done using routine laboratory procedures. Evaluation of reproductive parameters using appropriate sub routine of SAS (1999). Means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) method on the level P < 0.05. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Effects of Moringa oleifera seed administration on haematology of Rabbits are shown in Table 1. The result indicate significantly lower values for packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cells in the treatment group compared to the control (p < 0.05). The values for white blood cells are similar for all groups. 19
Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med. 2014 Musa Azara S I et al., 2014 Table 1: Effects of Moringa Oleifera Seed on Hermatology of Rabbits Table 3: Effects of Moringa Oleifera Seed on Reproductive Performance of Rabbits Parameters Control Treatment Mean Sem Mean Sem Parameters Control Treatment Mean Sem Mean Sem Packed cell volume % 40.00 a 0.58 36.67 b 0.88 Haemoglobin (gldl) 12.97 a 0.09 12.17 b 0.26 Red blood cell 10 6 cells/ml 4.46 a 0.08 4.03 b 0.09 White blood cell 10 3 lm 8.87 a 0.90 9.13 a 0.92 Note: Sem: standard error of mean; Means within the same raw hearing different; Superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05). Effects of moringa olefera seed on serum chemistry is shown in Table 2. Mean values of glucose and cholesterol are significantly lower in the treatment groups (p < 0.05) mean values for total protein, globulin and albumin are similar for both groups. Table 2: Effects of Moringa Oleifera Seed on Serum Chemistry of Rabbits Parameters Control Treatment Mean Sem Mean Sem Total protein (g/l) 62.30 a 1.55 59.55 a 0.87 Globulin (g/l) 30.70 a 0.55 28.83 a 0.47 Albumin 31.03 a 0.81 29.63 a 1.03 Glucose 80.30 a 1.58 77.07 b 1.66 Cholesterol mg/dl 32.27 a 2.02 14.00 b 1.11 Urea mmole/l 10.67 a 0.54 10.93 a 0.84 Effects of moringa oleifera seed administration on reproductive performance of rabbit is shown in Table 3. Mean values for litter size is significantly higher for control compare to treatment (p > 0.05). However mean values for average weight is significantly higher for treatment. Gestation period is similar for all groups. The results of this study indicate significantly lower values for packed cell volume, haemoglobin, Gestation period 30.71 a 0.81 30.43 a 0.20 Litter size 8.29 a 0.57 3.43 b 0.81 Average litter weight 22.96 a 0.09 27.80 b 0.20 Note: Sem: standard error of mean; Means within the same raw hearing different; Superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05). red blood cells, glucose and cholesterol in response to oral administration of moringa oleifera seed powder. It has earlier been reported that ethanol extract of moringa oleifera seeds significantly decrease total serum cholesterol, tryglycerides, low density lipoprotein and increase high density lipoprotein in rats (Silvacola and Avinash, 2012). The aqeous extract of roots and bark of moringa showed post coital anti-fertility effect in rat and also induced foetal resorption at late pregnancy (Bhoomika et al., 2007). Moringa oleifera roots have also been reported to be estrogenic, it inhibit maintenance and growth of the reproductive organs. The presence of estrogenic substances in moringa oleifera may also play a role in reduced litter size recorded for the treatment group. It has been established that estrogen inhibit the secretion of GnRH, Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. (Ganong, 2005). Reduction in circulating follicle stimulating hormone levels may play a role in failed follicular development in developing female animals and gonadal atrophy in matured animals (Omotugi et al., 2010). The higher litter weight in the treatment group may be as a result of more nutrients and space available for the reduced fetuses. 20
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