Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med.

2014

Musa Azara S I et al., 2014

ISSN 2320-3730 www.ijasvm.com
Vol. 2, No. 1, February 2014
2014 www.ijasvm.com. All Rights Reserved

Research Paper

EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF

MORINGA OLEIFERA SEED ON BLOOD
CHEMISTRY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE
OF FEMALE RABBITS
Musa Azara S I1*, Jibrin M 1, Hassan D I1 and Yakubu A2

*Corresponding Author: Musa Azara S I dribmazara@yahoo.com

All parts of moringa tree are being consumed by humans and animals with the secondary
metabolite having the potential to affect health. The objective of this study is to evaluate the
effects of Moringa oleifera seed on the blood chemistry and reproductive performance of female
Rabbits. Fourty 8 month old Chinchila breed of rabbits were used for the study. The rabbits were
randomly assigned into two treatment groups. Does in group 1 serve as control and were given
normal drinking water. Animals in group 2 were administered M.oleifera seed powder in drinking
water (250 mg/L). The experiment lasted for 4 weeks. The results indicate significantly lower
values for packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood cells in the treatment group compared
to the control (p < 0.05). The values for white blood cells are similar for all groups. Similarly,
Mean values of glucose and cholesterol are significantly lower in the treatment groups (p <
0.05). Whereas values for total protein, globulin and albumin are similar for both groups. Findings
also indicate significantly lower litter size and higher birth weight in the treatment group, gestation
period are however similar for both groups.
Keywords: Moringa seed, Blood chemistry, Reproductive performance, Rabbits

INTRODUCTION

development and support sustainable land use.

It may be used as forage for livestock and a
natural antihelminthic (Mihajan et al., 2007). The
seeds are eaten green, roasted, powdered and
steeped for tea or used in curries. The seed
powder are reported to be protective against
arsenic induced oxidative tissue damage and

Several plant species have proven to be

important to both Man and Animals for the
treatment of diseases and the maintenance of
health (Ahmed et al., 2007). In developing
countries, Moringa has the potential to improve
nutrition, boost food security, foster rural
1

Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Lafia Nigeria.

Department of Animal Science, Nasarawa State, University Nigeria.

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Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med. 2014

Musa Azara S I et al., 2014

also increase activity of superoxide dismutase

and catalase (Guphta et al., 2007). Crushed
seeds are highly effective in clarifying very turbid
water (Muyibi and Evison, 1995). The aqueous
extract of root and bark showed post-coital
antifertility in Rat and also induced fetal
resorption at late pregnancy (Bhoomika et al.,
2007). The estrogenic effects of moringa roots
have been documented (Chinmoy, 2007). All
parts of moringa tree are being consumed by
humans with the secondary metabolite having
the potential to affect health. The objective of
this study is to evaluate the effects of Moringa
oleifera seed on the blood chemistry and
reproductive performance of female Rabbits.

group 1 serve as control and were given normal

drinking water. Animals in group 2 were
administered M.oleifera seed powder in drinking
water (250 mg/L). Moringa oleifera seeds were
collected from gardens around Lafia, Nasarawa
State, Nigeria. The seeds were sun dried and
milled to powder using a hand mill. The
experiment lasted for 4 weeks.

DATA COLLECTION
At the end of the experiment, blood samples were
collected from the ear vein using sterile disposal
needles. Samples were placed into 2 separate
sets of test tubes. Samples collected into test
tubes containing eethylene diaminetetra acetic
acid (EDTA) as an anticoagulant were used for
Hematological investigation. The experiment
lasted for 4 weeks. The experiment lasted for 4
weeks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Location of Study
The research was conducted in the livestock farm
of college of agriculture, Lafia, Nasarawa state. It
is located in the guinea savannah zone of northern
Nigeria and found on latitude 0835 N and
longitude 0833 E, respectively.

Hematological parameters determined include;

Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell
counts and white blood cell counts. Serum
biochemical characteristics determined include:
total protein, albumin, cholesterol and globulin.
Analysis was done using routine laboratory
procedures.

Experimental Animals and Design

Performance
Rabbit bucks age 12-15 months old were
introduced to the does for mating. The does were
observed until the end of gestation period.
Parameters recorded include, gestation period,
litter size and average litter weight.

Evaluation of reproductive parameters using

appropriate sub routine of SAS (1999). Means
were separated using Least Significant Difference
(LSD) method on the level P < 0.05.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analysis of variance was done for all recorded

Fourty 8 month old Chinchila breed of rabbits were
used for the study. The does were individually
housed in well ventilated wire cages, wooden
stand were used to raise the cages above
concrete floor. The rabbits were randomly
assigned into two treatment groups. Does in

Effects of Moringa oleifera seed administration

on haematology of Rabbits are shown in Table 1.
The result indicate significantly lower values for
packed cell volume, hemoglobin and red blood
cells in the treatment group compared to the
control (p < 0.05). The values for white blood cells
are similar for all groups.

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Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med. 2014

Musa Azara S I et al., 2014

Table 1: Effects of Moringa Oleifera Seed

on Hermatology of Rabbits
Parameters

Control

Table 3: Effects of Moringa Oleifera Seed

on Reproductive Performance of Rabbits

Treatment

Mean

Sem

Mean

Sem

Packed cell
volume %

40.00a

0.58

36.67b

0.88

Haemoglobin
(gldl)

12.97a

0.09

12.17b

Red blood cell

106 cells/ml

4.46a

0.08

White blood cell

103 lm

8.87a

0.90

Parameters

Sem

Mean

Sem

Gestation period

30.71a

0.81

30.43a

0.20

Litter size

8.29a

0.57

3.43b

0.81

0.26

Average litter
weight

22.96a

0.09

27.80b

0.20

4.03b

0.09

Note: Sem: standard error of mean; Means within the same raw
hearing different; Superscripts are significantly different
(P < 0.05).

9.13a

0.92

red blood cells, glucose and cholesterol in

response to oral administration of moringa oleifera
seed powder. It has earlier been reported that
ethanol extract of moringa oleifera seeds
significantly decrease total serum cholesterol,
tryglycerides, low density lipoprotein and increase
high density lipoprotein in rats (Silvacola and
Avinash, 2012).

Effects of moringa olefera seed on serum

chemistry is shown in Table 2. Mean values of
glucose and cholesterol are significantly lower in
the treatment groups (p < 0.05) mean values for
total protein, globulin and albumin are similar for
both groups.

The aqeous extract of roots and bark of

moringa showed post coital anti-fertility effect in
rat and also induced foetal resorption at late
pregnancy (Bhoomika et al., 2007). Moringa
oleifera roots have also been reported to be
estrogenic, it inhibit maintenance and growth of
the reproductive organs. The presence of
estrogenic substances in moringa oleifera may
also play a role in reduced litter size recorded for
the treatment group. It has been established that
estrogen inhibit the secretion of GnRH, Luteinizing
hormone and follicle stimulating hormone.
(Ganong, 2005). Reduction in circulating follicle
stimulating hormone levels may play a role in
failed follicular development in developing female
animals and gonadal atrophy in matured animals
(Omotugi et al., 2010). The higher litter weight in
the treatment group may be as a result of more
nutrients and space available for the reduced
fetuses.

Table 2: Effects of Moringa Oleifera Seed

on Serum Chemistry of Rabbits
Control
Mean

Treatment

Sem

Mean

1.55

59.55

Sem
0.87

0.47

62.30

Globulin (g/l)

30.70

0.55

28.83

Albumin

31.03a

0.81

29.63a

1.03

Glucose

80.30a

1.58

77.07b

1.66

Cholesterol mg/dl 32.27a

2.02

14.00b

1.11

0.54

0.84

Total protein (g/l)

Urea mmole/l

10.67

Treatment

Mean

Note: Sem: standard error of mean; Means within the same raw
hearing different; Superscripts are significantly different
(P < 0.05).

Parameters

Control

10.93

Effects of moringa oleifera seed administration

on reproductive performance of rabbit is shown
in Table 3. Mean values for litter size is significantly
higher for control compare to treatment (p > 0.05).
However mean values for average weight is
significantly higher for treatment. Gestation period
is similar for all groups.
The results of this study indicate significantly
lower values for packed cell volume, haemoglobin,

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Int. J. Agric.Sc & Vet.Med. 2014

Musa Azara S I et al., 2014

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