The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity induced by the increasing doses of potassium dichromate in rabbit doe. Twenty-eight adult does of 6 months of age were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D; n = 7), with comparable average body weight (bw). Group A rabbits received only distilled water daily and served as a control, while groups B, C, and D received, respectively, 10 mg/kg bw, 20 mg/ kg bw, and 40 mg/kg bw of potassium dichromate via gavage for 28 days, after which animals were anesthetized with ether vapor and sacrificed. Blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture and collected without anticoagulant for biochemical dosages and with anticoagulant (EDTA) for complete blood count. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) were dosed in serum and in homogenates of ovary with the help of AccuDiag^TM ELISA kits from OMEGA DIAGNOSTICS LTD (Scotland, England) while respecting the immuno-enzymatic method. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, kidney, ovary and uterus were measured. Hematology revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in mean values of hemoglobin and platelets while white blood cells and lymphocytes showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in exposed groups. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was registered in monocytes, red blood cells, hematocrits, and plaquetocrits values with respect to the control. No matter the organ considered, no significant (p > 0.05) change was recorded in weight and volume. Nephrotoxicity analysis registered a significant (p < 0.05) increase in urea and creatinine, unlike renal tissue protein, which decreased significantly (p < 0.05). However, hepatotoxicity registered no significant (p > 0.05) variation in aspartate aminotransferase but total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and total cholesterol increased significantly (p < 0.05), while hepatic tissue protein revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease. Analysis on reproductive parameters showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ovarian and uterine tissue proteins, as well as in follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. Oxidative stress markers recorded no significant (p > 0.05) difference in glutathione reductase except in ovary where a significant (p < 0.05) decrease was seen when compared with the control, while catalase revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease, except in liver where there was no significant (p > 0.05) change. Superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde recorded a significant (p < 0.05) decrease and increase respectively, with respect to the control. Results obtained from this study showed that the reduction process of chromium in tissues may cause the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are involved in hematoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and reproductive toxicity effects.

Azafack Kana Dorice, Paguem Eric Achile, Deutcheu Nienga Sorelle, Tchoffo Hervé, Chongsi Margaret Momo, Ngwafu Nancy Ngwasiri and Ferdinand Ngoula. Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology 2023;38:151-7. https://doi.org/10.12750/JARB.38.3.151

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts of carrot leaves (Daucus carota) on reproductive characteristics in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). For this purpose, a total of 40 nulliparous (females that have never been in gestation before) and sexually mature rabbits of 7 months old, whose average weight was 3.08 kg were used. The animals were divided into 5 groups (T0-, T0+, T1, T2 and T3) of 8 does each comparable in terms of body weight. The rabbits were placed individually in wire cages equipped with a feeding and a drinking trough. Throughout the trial period, the does received water ad libitum and calculated feed. In addition to feed, these animals received daily by gavage distilled water (T0-), vitamin C of 150 mg/kg body weight (T0+). The other three groups (T1, T2 and T3) received respectively 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of aqueous extracts of carrot leaves during the entire period of the test. After a month of testing, the does were presented to males at a ratio of two females to one male for mating. Fourteen days after mating the females were sacrificed for collection of some data. The results showed that the groups of animals having received the extract were very receptive during mating compared to the animals in the control groups, those of T2 (200 mg) had a significant (p < 0.05) increase in progesterone concentration than the other groups. The gestation rate was significantly higher in does receiving 200 mg (T2) and 400 mg (T3) of aqueous extract of carrot leaves compared to the control groups. The level of GSH and that of MDA in the treated rabbits recorded relatively decreased values compared to the control groups. The concentrations of ALAT, ASAT and urea decreased in animals given the extract as compared to those given Vitamin C. The least value of platelets was obtained in animals that received 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract. In regards to these results, the aqueous extract of carrot leaves may be used as a natural source of antioxidants instead of synthetic products thereby improving the reproductive performances of rabbit does at the rate of 200 mg and 400 mg. This is because it is at these doses that most studied characteristics were improved though further research is required in order to conclude with certainty.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with spirulina powder on the reproductive characteristics in female rabbits. Twenty-one nulliparous and sexually mature rabbits (8 months old) were divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each, comparable in terms of body weight. After one week of feeding with the experimental diet, rabbits in each group were mated. During the experiment, does in group 1 (control group) received ad libitum a diet without spirulina (control diet), while does of groups 2 and 3 received diets supplemented with spirulina powder at 0.6% and 1.2% respectively. compared to control group, the live weights of animals treated with spirulina increased, while there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The male acceptance and kids viability rates were insignificantly (P > 0.05) higher and the delay of male acceptance was lower in females fed diet containing spirulina as compared to control females. The rate of fertility, the sex ratio males/females of the young and duration of gestation were comparable in all the groups (P > 0.05). The number of young rabbits post-partum was insignificantly (P > 0.05) greater in does receiving spirulina-supplemented feed than control animals. Therefore, the results from this work show that supplementation of diet with spirulina powder could ameliorate reproductive performances in female rabbits, especially at 1.2%, as better performances were recorded at this percentage.

Nsiyapnze Katte Yato Katte, Tchoffo Herve, Azafack Kana Dorice, Chongsi Margaret Mary Momo and Ngoula Ferdinand. Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology 2023;38:236-46. https://doi.org/10.12750/JARB.38.4.236

Biotechnologies of reproduction like artificial insemination were identified as a mean to intensify the local production. Therefore, some factors are still responsible to the failure of their applications in rural area. This survey was conducted from April to June 2023, to evaluate the effects of age, body weight, body condition score (BCS), calving rank, postpartum to artificial insemination interval and feed complementation on the success rate of artificial insemination in females Goudali. Thus, activities took place at two peri-urban livestock farms in the town of Ngaoundéré, in the Adamaoua region of Cameroon where 34 cows were concerned. The selected cows have an average of 8.21±2.41 years old, a body weight of 343±52.28 kg, a body condition score of 3.23±0.55, a calving rank of 2.21±1.22 and a postpartum to insemination interval of 4.39±1.40 months. The induction and synchronization of estrus were carried out based on the PRID-PGF2α-PMSG protocol which allowed to obtain a synchronization rate of 97.06% and the insemination were done 56-57 hours after the previous operation, with an imported semen of Brahman bull. During rectal palpation and early pregnancy diagnosis based on progesterone level measurement, the result shown that, 20 cows out of 33 inseminated were pregnant. The success rate of artificial insemination recorded was 60.6%. Amongst all the studied factors, analysis shown no significant (P> 0.05) effect on the success rate after artificial insemination. Thus, recommendations were made to popularize the use of artificial insemination and early pregnancy diagnosis test as a mean to improve reproductive performances of local farms. However, studies must be done to evaluate the cost of their applications in rural areas.