Haematological,biochemical and organ changes in broiler chickens fed varying levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morinda lucida</Emphasis> (brimstone) leaf meal supplementation in the diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Morinda lucida leaf meal (MLLM) on the haematology, biochemical and organ changes of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-eight day-old Marshall broiler chicks were completely randomised into 6 treatments in a 3?×?2 factorial arrangement of three levels of M. lucida leaf meal supplementation (0, 0.1 and 0.2 g/kg) with or without medication. The treatment consisted of both negative (without MLLM and routine medication) and positive (containing no MLLM but with routine medication) control groups while each treatment was replicated thrice. MLLM-supplemented diets and routine medication decreased (p?<?0.05) the white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Dietary supplementation with MLLM in combination with normal routine medication increased (p?<?0.05) total serum protein when compared with treatment group without MLLM and routine medication. Dietary supplementation with MLLM and routine medication reduced (p?<?0.05) serum creatinine concentration of the broiler chickens. Birds fed with 0.2 g/kg MLLM supplement coupled with medication and those on negative control had higher (p?<?0.05) creatinine values. Serum enzyme activities reduced (p?<?0.05) following supplementation. MLLM supplementation recorded no significant effect (p?>?0.05) on the liver, kidney, heart and gizzard. M. lucida leaf meal can be compared to routine medication for improved health status of broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion with 0.1 g/kg MLML combined with routine medication could be used in producing healthy and safe chickens.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

Evaluation of Cassia fistula meal as a replacement for soybean meal in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

This study was undertaken to determine the replacement value of Cassia fistula seed meal (CFM) for soybean meal (SBM) in practical diets of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Five practical diets (350 g kg^?1 crude protein) containing 0 g kg^?1 (control), 170 g kg^?1 (diet II), 340 g kg^?1 (diet III), 509 g kg^?1 (diet IV) and 670 g kg^?1 (diet V) substitution levels of CFM for SBM were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of O. niloticus fingerlings (mean initial weight of 10.22 ± 0.03 g) for 70 days. Fish mortality increased linearly with increase in inclusion levels of CFM in the diet. Growth and diet utilization efficiency were depressed in fish fed diets containing CFM at varying inclusion levels. Feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of O. niloticus fed on diet containing 170 g kg^?1 substitution level of CFM were similar (P > 0.05) to the control diet. Digestibility of the different diets decreased with increase in inclusion levels of CFM. Fish fed diet containing 670 g kg^?1 CFM had significantly lower carcass protein. However, no significant differences were observed in carcass protein and lipid contents between fish fed the control diets and diet containing 170 g kg^?1 CFM. The most efficient diet in terms of cost per unit weight gain of fish was obtained in 170 g kg^?1 CFM dietary substitution.     

SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF THE STIFLE IN NORMAL HORSES AND HORSES WITH FORELIMB LAMENESS

We tested the hypotheses that mature horses without lameness have a repeatable radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern in the stifle, which is bilaterally symmetric; immature horses have a different radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern; and forelimb lameness alters the radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern in the stifle. The objectives of the study were to describe the normal radiopharmaceutical uptake patterns using region of interest (ROI) analysis; to compare uptake patterns between left and right stifles of the same horse and between mature and immature horses; to compare radiopharmaceutical uptake in mature normal horses with those with forelimb lameness. Lateral scintigraphic images of the stifle from 51 horses aged 2-16 years were evaluated using seven ROIs and a reference site (midfemur). After subtraction of a background count, ratios between the mean counts per pixel for each ROI to the reference site were calculated. There was a repeatable radiopharmaceutical uptake pattern in mature normal horses that was bilaterally symmetrical. The caudoproximal aspect of the tibia and the patella had the highest ratios. Radiopharmaceutical uptake patterns in horses with forelimb lameness were not significantly different. Immature normal horses had a different symmetric pattern, with greatest radiopharmaceutical uptake ratios in the caudoproximal aspect of the tibia and the tibial crest. It was concluded that there are symmetric, repeatable radiopharmaceutical uptake patterns in both immature and mature horses, which are not altered by forelimb lameness.     

Haematological evaluation of ethanolic extract of Allium ascalonicum in male albino rats

The haematological effect of ethanolic extract of Allium ascalonicum was evaluated in male albino rats during a 21 day administration at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w, orally. Parameters evaluated include the serum lipids, red and white cell indices. The results showed that the extract administered decreased most of the parameters relating to red cell and increased most of those parameters relating to white cells. It also decreased the total cholesterol (TCH), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) with no significant effect on the triglyceride levels.     

Effect of resveratrol on growth performance,rectal temperature and serum parameters of yellow‐feather broilers under heat stress

This study investigated the effect of dietary resveratrol supplementation on growth performance, rectal temperature, and serum parameters of yellow‐feather broilers under heat stress. A total of 480 yellow‐feather broilers (28‐day‐old) were randomly allotted to five groups with six replicates. A thermoneutral group (TN) (24 ± 2°C) received a basal diet and another four heat‐stressed groups (37 ± 2°C for 8 hr/day and 24 ± 2°C for the remaining time) were fed the basal diet or basal diet with 200, 350, and 500 mg/kg resveratrol for 14 consecutive days. The results revealed that resveratrol supplementation improved average daily gain (p = 0.001), and decreased (p < 0.05) rectal temperature from d 3 when compared with heat‐stressed group without resveratrol. In addition, supplementation with resveratrol at 350 or 500 mg/kg lowered (p < 0.05) the contents of corticosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, malonaldehyde, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, increased (p < 0.05) the levels of triiodothyronine, the ratio of triiodothyronine to thyroxine, total protein, glutathione, and activities of alkaline phosphatase, total superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, though with few fluctuation. In conclusion, supplementation with resveratrol can improve the growth performance by positively regulating serum metabolic parameters and alleviating tissue oxidant damage of broilers under heat stress.     

Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Aqueous Solutions Using Sludge-Based Activated Carbons Prepared by Conventional Heating and Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis

Sludge-derived activated carbons (ACs) were prepared by conventional heating and microwave pyrolysis. The ACs were characterized using several analytical and functional techniques and used for removal of six phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions. The adsorbents exhibited similar features and possessed hydrophobic surfaces. The ACs were assigned mesoporous materials, with specific surface areas of up to 641 and 540 m² g^?1 for CAC-500 and MAC-980, respectively. The preliminary results indicated that phenol removal onto the ACs increased in the order: m-cresol?<?phenol?<?o-cresol?<?2-chrorophenol?<?2-nitrophenol?<?hydroquinone. Hydroquinone exhibited the highest adsorption capacity and was chosen to continue the remaining part of the experimental work—kinetic and isothermal studies. The adsorption kinetic and isotherm data were well described by the Avrami fractionary order and Redlich–Peterson models, respectively. The maximum amounts (Q _max) of hydroquinone adsorbed at 25 °C were too high, reaching 1218.3 and 1202.1 mg g^?1 for CAC-500 and MAC-980, respectively. The mechanism of adsorption was proposed in this work, and it was suggested that donor–acceptor complex and π–π interactions play major roles in the adsorption process. The adsorbents were also tested on simulated effluents. The two ACs displayed good efficiency for the treatment of industrial simulated effluents.     

Production,nutritional profiles and storability of ‘aadun’ and ‘kokoro’: Two corn products

Aadun and kokoro were produced from maize grains by processes involving roasting, kneading, spicing, and frying. Aadun with a moisture content (MC) of 12.5%, pH 5.3 had the following composition: crude protein, 7.49%; fat, 28.5%; total carbohydrate, 60.0%; ash, 3.0% and energy value, 3,600 kcal/kg whilst kokoro with a MC of 16% and pH 5.1 had, respectively: 6.42%; 22.9%; 66.6%; 2.84% and 3,550 kcal/kg. Whilst aadun and kokoro stored under ambient conditions (28±2°C; 75–80% RH) became mouldy within 7 days, samples treated with 1% butyl paraben did not develop off-colour and mouldiness.     

Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term

To date, there is no reported standard mating ratio for Nigerian native chickens despite their large population in the country. This study investigated the effect of mating ratio on behaviour, semen quality and level of stress. Sixty-three (9 cocks and 54 hens) sexually matured birds were randomly assigned to three mating ratios (MR) of 1 cock to 3 hens (1C:3H), 1 cock to 6 hens (1C:6H) and 1 cock to 9 hens (1C:9H), and each MR was replicated three times. Each cock spent 2 weeks in a particular MR before it was moved to another. By the 6th week, all cocks had experienced the three mating ratios. Behaviour of the hens and sexual behaviour of the cocks were observed in the morning and evening, respectively, for 6 weeks. At the end of 2nd week in each MR, semen samples were collected and evaluated for motility, morphology, liveability and concentration, and blood samples were also taken from the cocks to determine the heterophil/lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, an indicator of stress. There was also no significant effect of mating ratio on the fertility of eggs and hatchability of the chicks. The number of hen–hen aggression instances, frequency of visits to the nest box and duration of nesting was not influenced by the mating ratio. However, the duration of nest seeking was higher at 1C:3H and lower at 1C:9H. A mating ratio of 1C:9H is therefore recommended for farmers interested in raising Nigerian native chickens.     

Effect of organic amendments on nodulation and nitrogen fixation by cowpea

Cornstover, garbage compost, and cowdung were added to an Alfisol (Iwo series) at the rates of 0, 23, 69, and 115 Mg ha^‐1 and incubated for 4 weeks in the greenhouse prior to sowing cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) var. Ife Brown]. Two successive plantings were made per pot. Harvesting of the plants was at onset of flowering, 42 days after planting. Nitrogen (N) fixed was assessed using the N₂ difference method. Soil reaction (pH), organic carbon (C), and tissue N contents were increased by all the organic amendments. At both harvests, dry matter yields were significantly enhanced by garbage compost and cowdung. While garbage compost and cowdung increased the amounts of N₂ fixed, the efficiency of N₂ fixation was higher in the cornstover treatments. The cornstover additions also significantly increased nodule size and number. These results suggest that organic amendments would benefit N₂ fixation especially in soils low in indigenous organic matter. The beneficial effects were in the order: cowdung > garbage compost > cornstover. To enhance N₂ fixation in cowpea, a rate of 23 Mg ha^‐1 of these organic amendments is suggested.