Volume 13, Issue 2: 2023 - Article 15

Effects of intramuscular administration of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds on semen ejaculate
characteristics of goat bucks
Chinedu A. Eze ^{1 *}, Kelechi T.  Jeremiah ², Gregory E. Offor <sup>1

1</sup> Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of intramuscular administration of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds (EECPS) on semen ejaculate characteristics of goat bucks. The extract was prepared by cold maceration of dried pulverized seeds of Carica papaya in 80% ethanol. Eighteen West African Dwarf goat bucks were used for the study. They were randomly assigned to three groups (A, B and C) of six each. Bucks in Groups A, B and C were given daily intramuscular injections of the EECPS at the doses of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively for eight weeks. Semen for laboratory evaluation was collected weekly from bucks in all the groups all through the eight weeks of treatment and additionally for four weeks after treatment stopped (total of 12 weeks). Results showed that the semen colour changed from milky to watery for all the groups across the experimental period. There were no significant variations (p > 0.05) in the semen volume across the groups except on week 4 when the semen volume of Group C bucks was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of other groups. Sperm cell concentration was lower in the Group C bucks when compared with Groups A and B all through the experiment. The percentage motility of sperm cells significantly (p < 0.05) varied across the groups with Group C bucks having the lowest all through. The percentage of dead sperm cells was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the Group C bucks when compared with the Groups A and B all through the experimental period. The 12^th week results showed gradual recovery from the adverse effects on the semen parameters. It was concluded that treatment of goat bucks with ethanolic extracts of Carica papaya seeds as done in this study led to significant dose-dependent adverse effects on their semen ejaculate characteristics.

Keywords: Carica papaya seeds; Ethanolic extract; Semen ejaculate characteristics; goat buck.

How to cite this article:
Eze CA, Jeremiah KT and Offor GE (2023). Effects of intramuscular administration of ethanolic extract of Carica papaya seeds on
semen ejaculate characteristics of goat bucks. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 13(2): 312 – 318.

* Correspondence: E-mail: chinedu.eze@mouau.edu.ng    Phone: +2348035491823

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