Organ Weights and Testicular Histology Of Heat-stressed Cockerels Given Lycopene and Tetracarpidium conophorum Leaf Extract

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the relative organ weight and testes histopathology of heat-stressed cockerels given &lycopene and African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum Mull. Arg. Hutch & Dalziel.) leaf extract (TCLE). Thirty week (30-week) old cockerels (n=54), were used for this experiment. Theywere randomly grouped into nine treatments containing: 0 ml of extract / 250 ml of water (control) (T1), 7.5 ml of lycopene / 250 ml of water (T2), 15 ml of lycopene / 250 ml of water (T3), 7.5 ml of TCLE / 250 ml of water (T4), 15 ml of TCLE / 250 ml of water (T5), 7.5 ml of lycopene + 7.5 ml of TCLE / 250 ml of water (T6), 15 ml of lycopene + 15 ml of TCLE / 250 ml of water (T7), Vitamin C 0.1 g per 250 ml of water (T8), Cold temperature + Cold O water (5-7 C) (T9). The result showed that there was non-signicant effect (P>0.05) of lycopene and TCLE on all the relative organs weight values recorded. Testes of the cockerels given the control treatment (T8) had abnormal widening of interstitial spaces and degeneration of interstitial cells and lumen. For cockerels on T2 diets, there was an increase in both the interstitial spaces and intracellular spaces of the seminiferous tubules. Cockerels given T7 showed appreciable normal histomorphology with increased interstitial spaces and intracellular spaces of the seminiferous tubules. Cockerels under T8, given Vitamin C, showed abnormal widening of interstitial spaces and degeneration of interstitial cells of the seminiferous tubules. Normal appearance without abnormal widening of interstitial spaces and degeneration of interstitial cells in cockerel given T9. In conclusion, 15 ml of lycopene + 15 ml of TCLE / 250 ml of water (T7) can be administered to cockerels in a cool environment, with an addition of cold water (T9), to give a better testicular structure, and 15 ml of lycopene / 250 ml for improved internal organ weight.