Abstract

    The effects of gossypol on liveweight of teddy male goats were studied. Nine teddy male goats were randomly divided into three equal groups A, B and C. Animals in all groups were fed concentrate ration without cottonseed cakes at the rate of 3% of their liveweight for a period of 30 days and it was named as pre-treatment period. Just after the completion of this period, animals in group A were fed control ration (without gossypol), those in group B were fed ration which contained unboiled cottonseed cakes as a source of free and bound gossypol, while animals in group C were given ration containing cottonseed cakes boiled at 100°C for I hour as a source of bound gossypol. These experimental rations were fed to animals of respective groups at the rate of 3% of their liveweight for a period of 90 days. This period was named as treatment period. Immediately after the termination of treatment period, the right testis of each experimental animal was removed surgically for an other study to record the effects of gossypol on histology of testes. Animals in all groups were fed ration without cottonseed cakes (without gossypol) at the rate of 3% of their liveweight for a period of 120 days. This period was named as withdrawal period. The first 30 days of it was named as post-operational rest period, during which liveweight measurements were not recorded while during next 90 days, liveweight measurements of all the experimental animals were recorded. The mean (± SE) values for liveweight (kg) pf teddy male goats at the conclusion of pre-treatment period in groups A, Band C were 26.61 ± 0.33, 26.33 ± 0.33 and 26.52 ± 0.18, respectively. These values at the termination of treatment period in groups A, Band C; were 28.22 ± 0.18, 28.25 ± 0.18, and 28.23 ± 0.18, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant differences in the liveweight of male goats fed diets containing unboiled or boiled cottonseed cakes compared with those in control group. At the conclusion of withdrawal period the mean (± SE) values for liveweight (kg) of teddy male goats in groups A, B and C were 30.24 ± 0.20, 29.73 ± 0.20 and 30.37 ± 0.20, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed non-significant differences in the liveweight of male goats of groups A and Band groups A and C while these differences in liveweight of male goats of groups Band C were significant (P<0.05). It may be due to the residual effect of previously fed gossypol.

Keywords: Gossypol, liveweight, cottonseed cakes, Teddy male goats