Volume 11, Issue 24, July - December 2025

Physiological Responses and Reproductive Potential of Yankassa Rams Supplemented Milne-Rech Seed Essential Oil-Based Diet

Emmanuel U Anaso^1♦, Olurotimi A Olafadehan², Ijeoma C Chibuogwu³, Phillip A Addass¹, Habiba Zubairu⁴, Joy O Joel⁵

¹Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Agriculture Mubi, Adamawa, Nigeria
²Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
³Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
⁴Department of Dairy Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
⁵Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Dr. Emmanuel Ugochukwu ANASO, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Agriculture Mubi, Adamawa, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effects of Piliostigma thonningii seed essential oil (Milne-Rech seed essential oil, MSEO), commonly referred to as camel’s foot essential oil, on thermoregulation, immune and oxidative stress responses, serum biochemical indices, and reproductive traits of growing sheep. Twenty-one healthy Yankassa ram lambs (6–7 months old; average body weight: 10.55 ± 0.60 kg) were randomly allocated to three treatment groups in a completely randomized design. All animals received the same basal diet, supplemented with MSEO at 0 ml/kg (T1 – control), 5 ml/kg (T2), or 10 ml/kg (T3) for 16 weeks. Rectal temperatures ranged from 38.93 to 39.95℃, with T1 exhibiting significantly higher values (P < 0.05) than T2 and T3, which remained statistically similar (P > 0.05). Earlobe temperature, heart rate (83.43– 83.54 bpm), and respiratory rate (23.29–23.91 cycles/min) were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by treatment. Serum total protein, globulin, and glucose levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 compared to the control. Albumin levels increased significantly with higher MSEO inclusion (P < 0.05), peaking in T3. Serum cholesterol and liver enzymes (ALP, AST, ALT) were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 than in T1. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, albumin:globulin ratio, and bilirubin showed no significant differences across treatments (P > 0.05). Supplementation with MSEO significantly elevated (P < 0.05) levels of immunoglobulins G, A, and M, triiodothyronine (T3), and superoxide dismutase, with highest values observed in T3. Antioxidant enzymes—catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase—and total antioxidant capacity were significantly enhanced in T2 and T3 (P < 0.05). Conversely, malondialdehyde (MDA) and cortisol levels were significantly reduced in these groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). All groups produced creamy semen, and pH values did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). However, ejaculate volume, progressive motility, sperm viability, and semen concentration increased significantly with MSEO inclusion (P < 0.05), following the order: T3 > T2 > T1. Live sperm counts and testosterone levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in supplemented groups. Libido, measured as reaction time to female exposure, was shortest (P < 0.05) in T3 and longest in T1. Semen abnormalities were highest in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary inclusion of MSEO at 10 ml/kg diet did not compromise thermoregulation or health status. Instead, it enhanced antioxidant defense, immune function, and reproductive performance. These findings support MSEO as a safe, effective, and sustainable alternative to synthetic feed additives in sheep production systems.

Keywords: Sheep, immune and oxidative stress, semen, rectal temperature, pulse and respiratory rate, essential oil.

Discovery Agriculture, 2025, 11, e10da3127

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Published: 29 July 2025