Volume 14, Issue 2: 2024 - Article 153

Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of graded doses of Curcuma longa (turmeric) rhizome powder on the testis, epididymis and reproduction related blood biochemical parameters of male rabbits. Thirty-two sexually mature rabbit bucks were used for the experiment. They were assigned to four groups (A – D) of eight bucks each. Groups A, B and C were given 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg of turmeric rhizome powder reconstituted in distilled water, respectively. Group D (control) received distilled water as a placebo. All treatments were given per os daily for 135 days. Evaluations of all other testicular, epididymal and blood biochemistry parameters were done on days 45 and 135, but fasting blood sugar (FBS) was determined on days 15, 30, 45, 75, 105 and 135 of treatment. Results showed that the mean weights of the testis and epididymis of Groups A, B and C bucks were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of Group D, in a dose dependent manner. The epididymal sperm reserves of bucks in Groups B and C were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of Groups A and D. Serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the Group A, B and C bucks when compared to the Group D on day 135. Also on day 135, the serum triglyceride levels of Groups B and C bucks were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of Group D, while the serum total protein of Groups B and C were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of Group D. The FBS of Groups A, B and C bucks were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of Group D all through. The Sertoli cells, primary spermatocytes and spermatids of Group C bucks showed better differentiation on day 135 with more sperm cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. It was concluded that administration of C. longa rhizome powder as used in the study, especially at the dose of 1000 mg/kg, positively impacted on the testicular, epididymal, hormonal and other serum biochemical parameters of the rabbit bucks and significantly lowered blood sugar levels.

Keywords: Curcuma longa rhizome; Turmeric; Male rabbits; Hormones; Blood biochemistry; Testis; Epididymis.

How to cite this article:
Ekere SO, Ihedioha JI, Obidike IR, Njoku AL and Anya KO (2024). Effects of oral administration of graded doses of Curcuma longa
rhizome (turmeric) powder on the testis, epididymis and blood levels of selected reproduction related biochemical parameters
of rabbit bucks. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 14(2): 651 – 667.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     addachy09@gmail.com      Phone: +2348064971383

Effects of oral administration of graded doses of Curcuma longa rhizome (turmeric) powder on the testis, epididymis and blood levels of selected reproduction related biochemical parameters of rabbit bucks

Samuel O. Ekere ¹, John I. Ihedioha ², Ikechukwu R. Obidike ³, Adachi L. Njoku ^{1 *} and Kenneth O. Anya ^1
1 Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Reproductive Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

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