Animal Reproduction Publications Database
| S/N | Year | Title | Authors | Publication | Type | Publisher | DOI | Area | Abstract | Link | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2025 | Impact of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on growth, reproductive performance, and oxidative stress in dexamethasone-stressed Japanese quail cocks: Vitamin E & selenium in stressed quail cocks | Ifeanyi Emmanuel Uzochukwu , Luke Chukwudi Ali , Bright Chigozie Amaefule , Chisom C. Okeke , Charles Onochie Osita , Ndubuisi Samuel Machebe , Vesela Yancheva , Dóra Somogyi , Krisztián Nyeste | Poultry Science Volume 104, Issue 3, March 2025, 104888 | Journal | Poultry Science 104, Issue 3, March 2025, 104888 | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.104888 | Reproductive Nutrition | This study investigated the effects of dietary vitamin E (VE) and selenium (Se) supplementation on body weight changes, blood profile, and semen quality in Dexamethasone (DEX)-stressed Japanese quails. One hundred and five 10-week-old quail cocks were acclimated and divided into five treatment groups: negative control – G1, DEX-treated (20 mgL−1 of drinking water) – G2, DEX + VE (180 mg kg diet−1) – G3; DEX + Se (0.3 mg kg diet−1) – G4; and DEX + VE (180 mg kg diet−1) + Se (0.3 mg kg diet−1) – G5. The birds received their respective treatments over 21 days, and various performance, hematological, and semen quality parameters were measured. Results indicated that DEX treatment significantly reduced weight gain (WG) and feed intake (P < 0.05). Supplementation with VE and Se, individually and combined, ameliorated these effects, with groups G3, G4, and G5 showing similar WG to the control. Hematological analysis revealed significant increases (P < 0.05) in packed cell volume, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count in DEX-treated groups compared to G1. Treatment did not affect blood glucose and cholesterol levels (P ≥ 0.05). Plasma antioxidant assays showed elevated superoxide dismutase and catalase functions and reduced malondialdehyde levels in G3, G4, and G5 compared to G2, indicating reduced oxidative stress. No marked differences were seen in the plasma glutathione peroxidase activities across groups. Sperm motility was impaired in the DEX-only group but improved (P < 0.05) with antioxidant supplementation. In conclusion, dietary VE and Se effectively mitigated the negative impacts of DEX-induced stress on growth, antioxidant status, and spermatozoa motility in Japanese quail cocks. VE and Se supplementation could be beneficial in enhancing the welfare and productivity of poultry under stress. | Link | |
| 2 | 2025 | Blood parameters and reproductive characteristics of Large White Boars fed Aspilia africana leaf meal | Iwuji, Kadurumba, Peter-Onoh, Ahiwe, Egenuka, Ejiofor | Comparative Clinical Pathology | Journal | Springer Nature | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-025-03720-8 | Reproductive Anatomy/Physiology | There is a need to determine the effects of unconventional feed resources on the blood and reproductive parameters of animals receiving them. A total of 50 Large White Boars aged 7–8 months old were used to evaluate the effects of Aspilia africana (AA) leaf meal on the hematologic, serum biochemical, selected hormone profile, semen, and libido parameters. The pigs were grouped into five experimental groups in a completely randomized design (CRD), one control diet and four treatment diets: AA2.5, AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0, containing 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% AA leaf meal, respectively. For the hematologic parameters, AA5.0 and AA7.5 significantly (P < 0.05) increased hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell (RBC), while AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0 significantly (P < 0.05) increased packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts. Dose-dependent increases were recorded for the platelets, while the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in AA10.0 than the control. For serum biochemical parameters, total protein (TP) and globulin were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs on AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0, while cholesterol was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in pigs on AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0. Serum levels of testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and triiodothyronine (T3) were higher (P < 0.05) in pigs on AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0. Semen and libido parameters recorded higher (P < 0.05) total sperm count, sperm concentration, live sperm proportion, and libido score in pigs on AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0, while progressive sperm motility was higher (P < 0.05) in AA2.5, AA5.0, and AA7.5 pigs than the control and AA10.0 pigs. Percentage abnormal sperm was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs on AA7.5 and AA10.0, while reaction time was lower (P < 0.05) in pigs on AA5.0, AA7.5, and AA10.0. The results of this study reveal that AA leaf meal can be utilized in diets of male pigs to improve protein synthesis, cellular immunity, and semen and Libido characteristics but should not exceed a 5% inclusion level for breeder boars. | Link | |
| 3 | 2024 | Management of dystocia secondary to feto-pelvic dysproportion in a primiparous West African Dwarf Doe | Olurode SA Oyenekan IO and Mustapha L | Nigerian Journal of Animal Production | Journal | Nigerian Society for Animal Production | doi.org/10.51791/njap.v51i6.8289 | Reproductive Surgery | Extensive or semi-intensive system of goat rearing allows indiscriminate breeding of young females before attaining the requisite body weight and this has been found to be associated with high rate of dystocia. A 9-month old primiparous West African Dwarf (WAD) doe weighing 12 kg was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria with complaint of difficulty in giving birth which has started more than 24hours before presentation. Manual manipulation was attempted without success before presentation. The doe was dull and weak with intermittent straining. There was mild abdominal distension. There was swollen vulva with mild bloody discharge. Dystocia was diagnosed based on physicoclinical examination and an emergency caesarean section carried out following standard protocol. Dead oversized and fully developed foetus was removed from the uterus following the surgery. The pre-surgical haemogram revealed neutrophilia and lymphocytopaenia with macrocytic anaemia. This is a reported case of caesarian section in management of feto-pelvic dysproportion induced dystocia in a young primiparous doe. Keywords: doe, caesarian section, primiparous, breeding, dystocia | Link | |
| 4 | 2019 | Vaginal lumen cytology and peripheral sex hormone concentrations at different vaginal orifice statuses in the female greater Grasscutter | Ajao B. H., Ola S. I., Oyebanji B. O., Okukpe K.M., Alli O.I. | Nigerian Journal of Animal science | Journal | Animal Science Association of Nigeria | Reproductive Endocrinology | This study aimed to characterise the oestrous cycle of the female greater grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) through investigating the pattern of exfoliated vaginal epithelia cells and peripheral sex hormone profiles in two different vaginal orifice status (open and close) displayed by the animal. Vaginal smears and blood samples were collected every other day from 12 non pregnantgrasscutterdoes for 7 days regardless of the vaginal orifice status. The cells in the smear were classified into parabasal, intermediate, superficial and metoestrus epithelial cell. Blood plasmawas assayed for estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) hormones. Irrespective of the vaginal status, intermediate cells were predominant with 54% and 56.7% for open and close vagina orifice, respectively. Superficial cells were15 % in open vagina status as against 9 % in the close vagina status. E2 concentration was significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) in the open vagina status (6.75 vs 3.91 ng/ml) whereas P4 concentration was similar in both statuses. In conclusion, the similarity in the occurrence of vaginal lumen cells at open and close status indicated that the grasscutter could be an induced ovulator while the higher E2 concentration in the open vagina status could mean higher sexual receptivity at this stage. | Link | ||
| 5 | 2016 | OLIRAV: A SIMPLE, DISPOSABLE RABBIT ARTIFICIAL VAGINA DEVICE/PROCEDURE | Ola S.I. | Proceedings 11th World Rabbit Congress | Conference Proceedings | World Rabbit Science Association | Assisted Reproductive Techniques | In an attempt to make rabbit semen collection simpler and easier, an artificial vagina device/procedure was developed termed OLIRAV (OLa Improvised Rabbit Artificial Vagina).The materials required for OLIRAV includes a 20 ml disposable sterile syringe, 5 ml disposable sterile sample collection tube, a latex condom and a rubber band of 1.5 – 2 cm inner diameter. These materials after coupling try to simulate the conditions of the natural vagina of rabbit doe. The device was tested with twelve bucks studying three effects on seminal parameters: 1) the live body weight of bucks; 2) the time of day the test was performed; and 3) the type of the device (OLIRAV or commercial artificial vagina). Results indicated that semen collected with OLIRAV were largely within the normal reference values for rabbit semen volume (0.3 – 0.9 ml), sperm concentration (250 – 600 million spermatozoa/ml), progressive motility (30 – 90 %) and abnormal sperm cells (<10 %). Additionally, the time interval between mounting to ejaculation was similar between OLIRAV (0.25 seconds) and the commercial artificial vagina (0.18 seconds). The study concluded that OLIRAV is a cheap and very effective device or procedure to collect rabbit semen, both for AI purpose and andrologic studies. Key words: Rabbit, Artificial Vagina, Semen Collection, OLIRAV | Link | ||
| 6 | 2012 | Buck effect on rabbit oestrous: vulva colour, vaginal lumen cells and ovarian follicle populations | Idowu Ola, Moses Oyegbade | World Rabbit Science | Journal | World Rabbit Science Association | https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2012.1081 | Reproductive Anatomy/Physiology | The aim of this study was to determine the response to combinations of male stimuli in the oestrous doe in terms of changes in vulva colour, exfoliated cells in the vaginal lumen and the ovarian histology. Twelve oestrous heterogeneous rabbits does (6 multiparous and 6 nulliparous) were allotted equally to 3 experimental treatments: VIC – Male exposure with visual contact; NVC – Male exposure without visual contact and; NOC – Females completely isolated and not allowed any contact with the male. The does were placed under these treatments for 30 consecutive days during which vulvar colour was checked and vaginal smears were taken daily for each animal. All animals were sacrificed on the thirtieth day and their ovaries processed for histological examination following H & E staining. Does with NVC and VIC exposure displayed either red or pink vulva in 95 and 90% of cases, respectively, the remaining cases being rose coloured but never a whitish vulva (P<0.05), whereas does with NOC exposure displayed rose vulva on 80% of the days checked and another 11.7% cases with white vulvae but never a reddish vulva (P<0.05). The proportions of superficial, intermediate and parabasal epithelial cells in the vagina smears showed that superficial cells usually contribute less than 16% of the total and are also less abundant (P<0.05) irrespective of the doe’s exposure type or vulva colour, except in male-isolated does with purple vulva. All categories of follicles were seen on ovarian sections from NVC and VIC does, but corpora lutea were also present on the sections from VIC does, whereas only follicles below 0.5 mm diameter were seen on the sections from NOC does. In conclusion, these results suggest that the rabbit does require some form of stimulus from the male to remain sexually attractive. Moreover, ovulation appeared to have been induced in the does with visual contact with the male, probably in conjunction with auditory and olfactory, but without tactile or mating contacts. | Link | |
| 7 | 2012 | SEXUAL RECEPTIVITY AND CONCEPTION RATE OF RABBIT DOES FED SELECTED PERENNIAL FORAGES IN ILE-IFE, NIGERIA | Ola S.I., Williams O.S., Obamojure I.A., Okunlola A.M. | Proceedings 10th World Rabbit Congress | Conference Proceedings | World Rabbit Science Association | Reproductive Nutrition | Moringa oleifera, Tephrosia candida and Cajanus cajan are perennial shrubs that can provide fresh forages to rabbits in a forage based production system of small holder operations, especially during the dry season. This study compared the sexual receptivity parameters (vulva colour, mating duration and, copulation rate), conception rate, litter performance and productivity of rabbit does fed these forages to those fed the conventional Centrosema pubescence or sole concentrate diets. Fifty heterogenous does were allotted equally to the five treatments (four forage based diets and the control diet). The forages were offered ad libitum plus a supplementation of concentrate at 2 % of body weight. After 2 weeks of flushing the does were randomly mated to one of the 10 bucks. Does were mated again one week after weaning of kits (at 5 weeks). During both reproduction cycles the sexual receptivity parameters were observed while the conception rate was determined at palpation and parturition. Litter size and kits weight at birth were also recorded at parturition and the productivity index calculated as the product of conception rate and litter size. Purple was the most exhibited vulva colour in all the does fed the different forages as well as the control group fed only the concentrate diet, while reddish vulva was the least observed. Mating duration was faster for does fed Moringa and concentrate diets. The preliminary data of the fertility were lower in the Cajanus fed does with only 60 % compared to over 70 % in Moringa, Centrosema, Tephrosia and Concentrate groups. Litter size was the highest in Concentrate fed does (5.8 born alive). Among the forages grougs Moringa and Tephrosia gave a higher litter size than Cajanus and Centrosema (4.8 and 4.9 vs 4.2 and 4.0 born alive, respectively). Overall productivity was significantly higher for the control group (4.8 born alive/mating), intermediate for does fed Moringa or Tephrosia (3.7 and 3.4 born alive/mating, respectively) and lower with the Cajanus or Centrosema diet (2.5 and 2.9, respectively). Thus for dry season, feeding of rabbit under the Ile-Ife conditions, Moringa or Tephrosia forages supplemented with concentrate diet seems to be an interesting option. However, the results have to be confirmed using a larger number of does. Key words: Rabbit, perennial forage, sexual receptivity, conception rate, litter size | Link | ||
| 8 | 2006 | Exfoliative vaginal cytology during the oestrous cycle of West African dwarf goats | Safiriyu Idowu Ola, Wasiu Ajani Sanni, Gabriel Egbunike | Reproduction Nutrition Development | Journal | INRA, EDP Sciences | 10.1051/rnd:2005067 | Reproductive Anatomy/Physiology | The pattern of vaginal cell exfoliation during the oestrous cycle period was studied in cycling and non-descript West African dwarf (WAD) goats. The exfoliated epithelial cells were categorised into parabasal, intermediate and superficial and their relative occurrences were used to determine the reproductive status of the cycling and non-descript does. The mean cell counts of the epithelial and leucocyte cells were also compared between the days of cycle. Leucocyte and epithelial cells were present in the vaginal smears of the WAD does throughout the cycle. Cell counts increased sharply on days 1 and 2 after standing oestrus. From day 4 of the cycle, the counts fell back to the levels at oestrus and daily variations thereafter were not striking enough to distinguish between the different stages of the cycle. In the non-descript does, the intermediate cell dominated the majority of the smears, which is the typical pattern of cell exfoliation in anoestrus and peri-pubertal does. In the smears from cycling does, however, superficial cells were more frequently observed and they appeared to be associated with the proestrus, oestrus and early metoestrus phases of the cycle. These results indicate that the pattern of exfoliation of vaginal cells could be used to determine the reproductive condition and by extension the ovarian functioning of the WAD goats | Link |
