Seminal Characteristics, Sperm Morphology, and Reproductive Organ Morphometrics of Kano Brown Bucks Fed Diets Containing Pleurotus ostreatus-Biodegraded Sugarcane Scrapings

Veterinary / Animal Sciences | Research article | https://doi.org/10.47262/SL/14.2.132026190

Seminal Characteristics, Sperm Morphology, and Reproductive Organ Morphometrics of Kano Brown Bucks Fed Diets Containing Pleurotus ostreatus-Biodegraded Sugarcane Scrapings

Emmanuel U. Anaso*

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Federal University of Agriculture Mubi, Adamawa, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of replacing maize bran with Pleurotus ostreatus-biodegraded sugarcane scrapings (BSS) on organ morphometrics and seminal characteristics of Kano Brown bucks, with the aim of assessing its suitability as a sustainable non-conventional feed ingredient. Twenty-one healthy bucks aged 6-7 months (9.44 ± 0.39 kg) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: a control diet without BSS, a diet containing 15% BSS replacing 50% of maize bran, and a diet containing 30% BSS replacing 100% of maize bran on a dry matter basis. The feeding trial lasted 12 weeks. Results showed that dietary inclusion of BSS had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on the proportion of morphologically normal sperm cells, testicular weights, testicular volumes, or testicular lengths. Likewise, sperm abnormalities, including midpiece droplets, coiled tails, detached heads, free tails, and bent tails, did not differ among treatments. Body and tail weights and lengths, as well as epididymal morphometric parameters, remained comparable across all dietary groups. These findings indicate that replacing maize bran with BSS supports normal reproductive organ development and maintains seminal quality without adversely affecting sperm morphology. Therefore, Pleurotus ostreatus-biodegraded sugarcane scrapings represent a safe, nutritious, and sustainable alternative feed resource for goat production in feed-limited regions such as West Africa.