Scrotal Morphometric Properties of Yearling West African Dwarf Goats Fed Cashew Nut Shell Based Diets

Sixteen (16) yearling male West African dwarf goats were allotted into four (4) treatment of four goats each. The goats were fed diets containing varying levels of cashew nutshell 0% (T1, control), 10%(T2), 15% (T3) and 20%(T4) at 150g per goat per day and Guinea grass at 500g per goat per day for sixty three (63) days, to determine the effects of cashew nut shell based diets on the scrotal morphometric characteristics of the Goats. The scrotal morphometric measurements were taken before the commencement of the experiment and again on the last day of the experiment. The daily forage intake, and daily dry matter intake values were both significantly different, the daily supplement intake values were not significantly different. The values for final scrotal length, and circumference, were not significant. The final scrotal circumference (14.40–16-50 cm) showed significant (p<0.05) difference, the values for increase in scrotal length were slightly significant (p<0.05) and did not follow any definite trend, values for scrotal weight ranged from 48.90–66.80g and showed significant (p<0.05) differences with T2. having the highest the right and left testicular weights were both significantly (P.<0.05) different. It was there for concluded that the diets containing cashew nut shell had better scrotal morphometric values the control, with T2 (10% cashew nut shell) being the best. The inclusion of cashew nut shell in diets for Goats at 10% level was therefore recommended. Further research using other breeds and classes of goats as well as other species of ruminants were also recommended.