REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS ADMINISTERED GRADED DOSES OF TIGER NUT (Cyperus esculentus) EXTRACT

Abstract

A total of 60 rabbits (36 does and 24 bucks) of mixed breeds, aged between four to five months were used to determine the effect of tiger nut extract on reproductive performance of rabbits for 12 weeks. They were randomly allotted into four treatment groups, each with three replicates of three does with two buck per replicate. The crude tiger nut extract was measured at 0 g, 2 g, 4 g and 6 g soaked in 20 ml of fresh water for an hour to mixed very well and then administered to the animals as treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The extracts were administered to the animals daily through oral gavage, throughout the experimental period. Reproductive performance parameters measured were mating frequency, pregnancy rate, gestation period, litter size, litter mortality rate, progesterone and testosterone levels. Progesterone levels in does and testosterone levels in bucks were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The results showed no significant (p>0.05) differences in gestation period, litter size, and pregnancy rate. However, significant (p<0.05) differences ere observed in frequency of mating with 6g showing a significant lower values (1.0) when compared to T1 (control) (1.86) and 2g of tiger nut (1.43) but similar to rabbits given 4g of tiger nut (1.13). The litter mortality rate obtained was 5.6, 6.66, 6.27 and 3.42 % for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively; 6g had lower litter mortality rate when compared to other treatments. Significant (p<0.05) were observed in progesterone and testosterone levels with rabbits given 6g revealing a significantly (p<0.05) higher progesterone and testosterone values of 2.81 and 10.15, respectively, when compared to the other treatment groups. Based on the result of this study, farmers are encouraged to feed rabbits with 6g of tiger nut extract a week before mating for optimal reproductive performance as it has shown to enhance sexual drive.