EFFECTS OF DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH NUTMEG, CLOVE AND THEIR COMPOSITE ON THE SEMEN QUALITY, TESTICULAR AND EPIDIDYMAL MORPHOMETRY OF COCKS

Abstract

One hundred and sixty eight (168) six months old matured Isa Brown cocks were randomly assigned to a control diet (diet A) and four others treatments formulated with various proportions of diets supplemented with Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) and Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) (250mg nutmeg, 500mg nutmeg, 250mg clove and 500mg clove) respectively as diets B, C, D and E with each treatment having four replicates of 6 birds per replicate fed for ten weeks. The study which lasted for ten weeks was carried out to assess the effect of the additives on the semen characteristics, gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves of the cocks. At the end of the feeding trial, three (3) cocks per replicate were humanely sacrificed and their reproductive tracts were dissected. The testes and epididymis were carefully sampled, weighed and processed. All data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure of SAS (2008). The significant treatment means were compared using New Duncan Multiple range test option of the same software. The results showed that all the semen characteristics were significantly and positively affected by inclusion of nutmeg and clove up to 500mg.kg-1 diet. The paired epididymis (5.30±0.21, 5.20±0.29, 5.37±0.11, 5.40±0.08, 5.60±0.18, 5.52±0.27, 5.79±0.27) and vas deferens weights (1.38±0.24, 1.12±0.08, 1.13±0.14, 1.07±0.09, 0.91±0.10, 1.17±0.03, 1.19±0.03) were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by the inclusion levels of composite of nutmeg and clove up to 500mg.kg-1 diet, while vas deferens lengths (20.47±0.48, 18.98±1.15, 17.68±0.57, 18.52±0.49, 15.09±0.79, 13.64±0.21, 13.64±0.21) were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced with 250 and 500mg nutmeg and clove kg-1 diet. Nevertheless, the testicular parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by the varying inclusion levels of nutmeg and clove when compared with the control. The paired testicular sperm reserves (TSR/testis (2.10±0.15, 2.01±0.12, 2.30±0.03, 2.24±0.16, 2.03±0.02, 1.80±0.03, 1.80±0.03) and TSR/g testis (1.72±0.18, 1.64±0.11, 1.64±0.05, 1.47±0.14, 1.50±0.11, 1.28±0.15, 1.28±0.15) were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the nutmeg and clove inclusion when compared with the control diet. However, the paired epididymis sperm reserves were significantly higher at the inclusion levels of 250 and 500mg nutmeg supplementation of cocks' diets with Nutmeg and clove up to 500mg.kg-1 did not compromise the semen characteristics, gonadal and extra-gonadal sperm reserves in the treated birds. This study reveals the effects of nutmeg and clove in cocks' diet as a feed flavour additive, also that composite of nutmeg and clove up to 500mg.kg-1, in poultry has a structural repercussion on their epididymis and vas deferens, enhancing a pathophysiological effects on the reproductive potential of cocks as it significantly reduced the daily sperm production and extra gonadal reserves of cocks. Therefore, it could be recommended that the diets for cocks to be used for breeding purposes should not be fortified with composite of nutmeg and clove up to 500mg.kg-1.