Comparison of time frame critical for feed supplement on reproductive hormones of Azawak cattle in semi–arid zone of Niger Republic.
Authors: Alassan N.A. , Muhammad I.R. , Maigandi S.A. , Ghude M.I. 
Published: February 2021

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed supplementation on laying reproductive hormones level. In total, 36 Azawak cattle breed (18 bulls and 18 heifers) with an average initial body weight (BW) of 184±40 kg aged 3 to 4 years owned by CERRA, Maradi ranch were used for this experiment. A time frame critical for utilization of supplement (NS: No supplementation, SMD: Supplementation early at 8:00 am in the morning daily before moving out for grazing, SED: Supplementation in evening at 5:00 pm daily after the afternoon grazing, SMED: Supplementation in the morning at 8:00 am and in the evening at 5:00 pm daily, S2DM: Supplementation once every two days in the morning at 8:00 am before morning out for grazing and S2DE: Supplementation once every two days in the evening at 5:00 pm). The feeding trial lasted for 90 days. The data of chemical composition of feed supplement were analyzed by the following statistical procedures: one way ANOVA. The data from reproductive hormone levels after feeding supplementation were analyzed by using 2 x 6 factorial laid in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The factors evaluated were two sexes (bull and heifer) by the six time and frame (treatments) of supplementation. Differences between sex and treatment were determined by the T-test mean±SD separation and Least Significant Difference (LSD). For all analyses, a P value 0.05 was considered not significant. The results showed that effects of inorganic minerals on reproductive hormones per treatment were obtained. The higher (2.78±5.68 ng/mL) and lower (0.34±0.37 ng/mL) values of testosterone content was obtained from SMD and NS followed by (1.79±0.60 ng/mL) and (1.17±0.25 ng/mL) from progesterone in NS and S2DE while values of estradiol E were (281.67±70.48 pg/mL) and (217.17±52.06 pg/mL) in NS and SMD respectively. However, a higher (5.20±0.67 mlU/mL) and lower (4.25±0.88 mlU/mL) values of follicle–stimulating hormone was obtained from S2DM and SMD. Accordingly, result obtained of heifer indicated higher (0.47±0.49 ng/ml) and lower (0.18±0.02 ng/ml) values of testosterone content was obtained from SMD and NS followed by (1.60±0.65 ng/mL) and (1.02±0.21 ng/mL) from progesterone in NS and SMD while values of estradiol E were(237.33±44.28 pg/mL) and (198.33±32.08 pg/mL) in NS and SMD, respectively. However, a higher (5.23±0.84 mlU/mL) and lower (4.10±0.98 mlU/mL) values of follicle–stimulating hormone was obtained from S2DMand SMED, respectively. According to result obtained of bull, the higher (5.09±8.02 ng/mL) and lower (0.49±0.52 ng/mL) values of testosterone content was obtained from SMD and NS followed by (1.97±0.60 ng/mL) and (1.16±0.07 ng/mL) from progesterone in NS and S2DE while values of estradiol E were (326.00±67.55pg/mL) and (234.00±32.14 pg/mL) in NS and SMED respectively. However, a higher (5.17±0.64 mlU/mL) and lower (4.13±0.50 mlU/mL) values of follicle-stimulating hormone was obtained from S2DM and SED. Conclusively, inorganic minerals in feed supplementation have beneficial effect on reproductive hormones ofAzawak cattle breed.