POPULATION OF SECRETORY CELLS AND SYNTHETIC ACTIVITIES IN MAMMARY GLAND F LACTATING SHEEP AFTER CONSUMING Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. LEAVES

Abstract

Thirty-five lactating ewes were divided into four groups and given Sauropus androgynus (SA) leaf extract solution at 1.89 g/day orally twke a day (Sax-group), SA leaf powder solution at 7.44 g/day (SAp-group), distilled water (control-group), and untreated group. Milk yield was measured. After 14 and 35 days, half of the udders were excised and the DNA and RNA determined. SAp administration increased total milk yield for 35 days administration (P>0.05), compared to the control values. The population of secretory cells (total DNA) and synthetic activites (total RNA) were also increased significantly (P<0.05) by SA leaves administration for 14 days.