Physiological Response Of Savanna Brown (SB) Does To Treatment With Mistletoe Extract (Phragmanthera Nigritana) And Clomid®.

Abstract

Thirty six (36)  nulliparous Savanna Brown does with mean body weight of 8.5 kg and aged 4-6 months were used to compare the physical and physiological changes that occur in SB does drenched with clomiphene citrate (Clomid®) and mistletoe (Phragmanthera nigritana) extract. The does were randomly assigned into three (3) treatment groups of twelve (12) does each. Each group was further subdivided into three (3) sub groups of split, full and double doses of extract. Those on the split dose of mistletoe extract were treated with 250 mg/kg twice in a day while those on full (500 mg/kg) and double dose (1000 mg/kg) were treated once a day. The second group were treated with Clomid®; split dose (0.35 mg/kg) twice in a day while those on full and double dose received 0.7 and 1.4 mg/kg administered once. The control groups were given distilled water. Normal routine management practices were employed and the does were managed intensively. Following treatment with the different doses of mistletoe, does exhibited reactions which vary from calmness, pasty ashy faeces, concentrated urine and reduction in weight which increased in the groups drenched with clomid®. Final weight showed significant difference between the clomid® and mistletoe treated group on split dose (8.40 ± 0.18 vs 10.83 ± 0.32) but both final weight and final pulse rate showed significant difference with does on clomid® and double doses (8.44± 0.29 vs 7.53  0.42 and 81.60 ± 0.55 vs 83.70 ±0.61) respectively, with better result in the group drenched with split doses (250 mg/kg) of Mistletoe extract. Split dose of 250 mg/kg administered twice in a day is recommended for use since the effects were not deleterious to the does.

Keywords: Physiological response, Savanna Brown does, mistletoe, clomid®, doses.