Effect Of Administration Of Aqueous Extract Of Vernonia Amygdalina Del Leaves On Uterine Contraction And Milk Production In Guinea Pigs:- Igwe, Kalu K

ABSTRACT

The effects of aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del on litter weight gain, milk production, uterine and mammary gland contraction amplitudes were studied using g) of litters of animals in groups I, II, III and IV was 1.88 ± 0.68, 3.11 ± 0.10, 4.20 ± 0.20 and 13.96 ± 1.53 respectively (after five weeks). The difference in mean weight gain by the litters in groups III and IV but not in groups II were significant (p < 0.05) when compared with the litters in the control group. All the dams had their highest milk production index (g) at week 2. Milk production index was 11.00 ± 1.00, 9.00 ± 2.00, 11.33 ± 5.69 and 14.33 ± 1.53 for animals in groups I, II, III, and IV respectively. The not significant (p > 0.05). Milk production dropped as the week progressed with the lowest recording at week 4 and 5. Uterine contraction amplitude (mm) at 5mg/ml, lOmg/ml and lOOmg/ml was 1.22 ± 0.03, 3.60 ± 0.03 and 9.6 ± 0.24 respectively. The uterine contraction amplitudes for 5mg/ml, lOmg/ml but not lOOmg/ml of Vernonia amygdalina were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that recorded for equivalent concentrations of the standard drug, Ergometrine. The mammary gland contraction amplitudes (mm) recorded for 5mg/ml, lOmg/ml and xiii The effects of aqueous extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del on litter weight gain, milk production, uterine and mammary gland contraction amplitudes were studied using observed differences in milk production were