The Concentrations of Cholesterol and Reproduction Hormones in Serum of Rabbits Doe That Consumed Moringa oleifera Leaf Extracts

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effect of various kinds of Moringa leaf extracts on cholesterol, estradiol, FSH, LH levels and litter size in rabbit does. The extracts used were hexane fraction extract (HeEF), ethanol fraction extract (EtEF) and ethanol rough extract (EtCE) from moringa leaf flour. Seven treatments were administered including extracts in pellets at a dose of 0, 0.13% HeEF, 0.26% HeEF, 0.37 EtEF, 0.74% EtEF, 0.54% EtCE and 1.08% EtCE. Each treatment was reduplicated on 4 rabbits. Cholesterol levels, estradiol, LH and FSH blood serum, mating readiness and litter size were measured, which results showed that the treatment significantly (P <5%) lowered the cholesterol level and increased the estradiol level in blood serum. On the other hand, the treatment had no significant effect on FSH, LH and litter size levels except at LH levels 2 hours after mating.