EFFECT OF GONADOTROPHIN (PERGONAL(R)) ON LIVER AND KIDNEY FUNCTIONS, BODY CONFORMATION AND SERUM PROTEIN VALUES OF YANKASA RAMS TREATED FOR SPERM PRODUCTION

Three groups of 6 healthy mature yankasa rams aged 2.0–2.60 years weighing between 30.50 kg and 30.60 kg were assigned to either 49.50 I.U (T2), 99.00 I.U (T 3 ) or 148.50 I.U (T4) Pergonal injection (Ferring labs, USA) each divided into 3 doses and given for three consecutive days. Another group of 6 rams was given normal saline (1 mL) during the same period to serve as control (T1). All treatments were given to study the effect of the drug on body conformation, liver function and serum protein values. All the treatments were given by intramuscular injection. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatment groups in body weight gain. However, there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in scrotal circumference, height at the withers, heart girt and hip width values. The results also showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in serum total protein, albumin and globulin values. The result further showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in Alkaline phosphatase, Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase activities, sodium, chloride, potassium, biocarbonate and creatinine values. The results of this study showed that Gonadotrophin (Pergonal (R) ) administration to Yankasa rams for spermatogenesis did not result in any hepatoxic or nephrotoxic effects. Keyword: Yankasa rams, Pergonal ® , Liver and kidney function, Serum protein, Body conformation.