Effects of Leaves Extract from Spondias Mombin L. and Vitellaria Paradoxa Gaertn F. on West African Dwarf (WAD) Sheep Performance in Republic of Benin

This study considers effects of extract of Spondias mombin and Vitellaria (not vitelleria) paradoxa on milk production in WAD ewe and the growth performance of theirs lambs. For this purpose, 30 lactating ewes at their 2nd parity were selected and divided into 5 groups: a control i.e. without any treatment, Spondias-ethanol extracts, Spondias_methanol extract, Spondias_ethanol extract, vitellaria_ethanol extract and vitellaria_methanol extract. Each ewe received oral dose of 1.06 g of corresponding leaves extract for three (3) days at the beginning of lactation. The resulted outcomes indicate that ewes that received extract of S. mombin produce more milk (on the average 100.63g/day) than the control (92.90g/day) group and the one that received extract of V. paradoxa (91.51g/day). The extracts of V. paradoxa show no lactogenic activity compared to control and Spondias groups. Lamb weight gain was also higher (p<0.05) than that in the control and Vitellaria groups. A weaning body weight of 9.62kg and 9.51kg had been obtained for lamb in Spondias groups against 8.67kg; 8.70kg and 8.72kg in Vitellaria groups and control group respectively. The type of solvent had no effect on milk production of ewe and growth performance of their lamb. The treatments did not influence body weight of ewe and milk conversion lamb.