Abstract
A
total of seventy-two (72) sexually mature rabbits comprising 36 bucks and 36 nulliparous
does were subjected to a study to evaluate their physiological responses to
oral administration of methanolic extract of a medicinal plant- Andrographis paniculata commonly known
as king of bitters. The rabbits were grouped
into 2 experimental units based on their sexes and were randomly assigned into
four treatment groups designated as T1, T2 T3 and
T4 in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment
consisting of nine rabbits. The rabbits
were fed concentrate diet of 16% crude protein and 2630 kcal/kg ME, alongside
grass-legume forages. Methanolic extract of Andrographis
paniculata was administered orally to the experimental rabbit using a sterile
syringe at the rates of 0.0mg/kg, 125mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg for T1 (control),
T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Results obtained for
semen parameters at 28 and 56 days of administration of extract showed
significantly lower (P<0.05) values for total viable sperm, total sperm per ejaculate
and normal sperm proportion in the treated groups. Similarly, seminal plasma fructose
and glucose declined significantly (P<0.05) with increase in administration
rate. Final weight, weight gained and
dress percentage was higher (P<0.05) in the treated group compared to the
control. Serum protein was observed to increase following consumption of the
extract. Luteinizing Hormone and testosterone levels were higher (P<0.05) in
the treated bucks. Also, an increase in consumption rate of the extract led to lower
(P<0.05) total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and serum glucose levels. Reproductive
performance in the rabbit does showed lower (P<0.05) values for conception rate,
litter size and weight at birth in the treated group. Premature kits were
recorded at full term gestation in T3 and T4 rabbit does.
This is suspected to be associated with a decline in the serum progesterone
levels recorded in the rabbit does following administration rates of 250mg/kg
and 500mg/kg. Results obtained for blood parameters in the does followed a
similar pattern as those of the bucks. Histopathological studies revealed degenerative
changes in the seminiferous tubule architecture of the bucks and a moderate to
severe disruption of ovarian follicles in the females. Findings of this study
suggest that the A. paniculata extract
administered to the rabbits had positive influence on meat quality; however,
reproductive performance in both male and females were negatively affected. It
is concluded from this study that Andrographis
paniculata adversely affects reproduction in both male and female rabbits.
IFEANYI, A (2024). Physiological responses of rabbits to oral adminstration of king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata) extract:- Ukar, Ifeanyi A. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/physiological-responses-of-rabbits-to-oral-adminstration-of-king-of-bitters-andrographis-paniculata-extract-ukar-ifeanyi-a-7-2
AMAONYE, IFEANYI. "Physiological responses of rabbits to oral adminstration of king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata) extract:- Ukar, Ifeanyi A" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 17 Jul. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/physiological-responses-of-rabbits-to-oral-adminstration-of-king-of-bitters-andrographis-paniculata-extract-ukar-ifeanyi-a-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
AMAONYE, IFEANYI. "Physiological responses of rabbits to oral adminstration of king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata) extract:- Ukar, Ifeanyi A". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 17 Jul. 2024. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/physiological-responses-of-rabbits-to-oral-adminstration-of-king-of-bitters-andrographis-paniculata-extract-ukar-ifeanyi-a-7-2 >.
AMAONYE, IFEANYI. "Physiological responses of rabbits to oral adminstration of king of bitters (Andrographis paniculata) extract:- Ukar, Ifeanyi A" Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/physiological-responses-of-rabbits-to-oral-adminstration-of-king-of-bitters-andrographis-paniculata-extract-ukar-ifeanyi-a-7-2