Abstract
A 12-week study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of Leptadinea reticulata (LRCY) on reproductive and histological parameters of male Japanese quails, Coturnix coturnix japonica. Two hundred and ten birds were used for this study, and they were allocated randomly into seven treatment groups and replicated thrice. Group 1 served as control without inclusion of extract, while groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 had 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 750mg/kg and 1000mg/kg inclusion of LR and group 6 had 240mg/kg of vitamin E respectively and group 7 clomiphene citrate. The birds were weighed weekly to determine weight change. The cloacal gland of each bird was measured to the nearest 0.01mm. Semen from cauda epididymis was smeared on slide and the morphology of the sperm cells assessed. The weight of the testes was determined by using sensitive scale and the histology of the testes was performed to determine the stages of spermatogenesis. The internal organs such as the length of both testes, weight of heart, liver, gizzard and proventriculus were taken to determine the effect of the feed supplement on the organs. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. There was significant (p<0.05) increase in the cloaca gland of quail fed diets supplemented diet with 1000mg and 500mg/kg 0f LRCY compared to the control. Testis weight was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the group fed diets supplemented with LRCY compared to the control group. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the internal organs weight such as the heart liver and gizzard of male quails among all the groups including the control groups, proventriculus however was significantly (p<0.05) higher in clomiphene citrate (0.55g) supplemented diet (T7) than other groups. It can be concluded from this experiment that supplementation of the feed with LRCY had beneficial effect on quail production and can improve protein production in developing countries hence ensure food security.

Key words: Leptadinea reticulata, Coturnix coturnix japonica, semen, internal organs