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.     

Assessment of prebiotic potentials in selected leaf meals of high dietary fibre on growth performance,body composition,nutrient utilization and amylase activities of a tropical commercial carp fingerlings

The performance of selected leaf meals of high dietary fibre in the feed of a tropical commercial carp, hybrid lemon fin barb (Barbonymus gonionotus ♀ × Hypsibarbus wetmorei ♂) was evaluated in a 56‐day feeding trial. The tropical carp juveniles (9.43 ± 0.05 g) were randomly stocked in 60‐L aquaria at 15 fish per aquarium. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets (30% crude protein, 17 kJ/g gross energy) containing no leaf meal and 10% napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), alfalfa (Medicago sativa), water spinach (Ipomea aquatica) and Gliricidia sepium leaf meals were formulated and tested. Three aquaria were randomly assigned to each experimental diet. The results showed that fish‐fed diets containing leaf meals showed superior growth performance and body composition which was better than those fed control diet. The leaf meal‐treated groups also had higher values of protein, lipid, energy retention and production of digestive enzymes amylase. Conclusively, the results indicated that leaf meal fibre provided better performance showing the inherent prebiotic effect of the utilization of these leaf meal in hybrid lemon fin barb .     

Population distribution and threats to sustainable management of selected non-timber forest products in tropical lowland rainforests of south western Nigeria

Uncontrolled harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) poses a serious risk of extermination to several of these species in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of information on the distribution, population status and sustainable management of NTFPs in most of the tropical lowland rainforests. We, therefore, assessed the population, distribution and threats to sustainable management of NTFPs within the tropical lowland rainforests of Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, south western Nigeria. Data were obtained through inventory surveys on five top priority species including: bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O’Rorke) Baill), African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull. Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel syn. Plukenetia conophora), chew-stick (Massularia acuminata (G. Don) Bullock), fever bark (Annickia chlorantha Setten & P.J.Maas syn. Enantia chloranta) and bush pepper (Piper guineense Schumach. & Thonn.). Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used for the inventory. Each forest reserve was stratified into three, viz: less disturbed natural forest (for areas that have been rested for at least ten years), recently disturbed natural forest (for areas that have suffered one form of human perturba- tion or the other in the last five years), and plantation forest (for areas carrying forest plantation). Data were collected from eighteen 10m×500m belt transects located in the above strata. The species were gener- ally fewer in both plantation and recently disturbed natural forest than the less disturbed natural forest, suggesting that forest disturbances (habitat modification) for other uses may have an effect on the occurrence and densities of the NTFPs. Exceptions to this trend were found for P. guineense and T. conophorum, which were fairly common in both planta-tion and recently disturbed natural forest. Among three tree NTFP species (i.e. I. gabonensis, M. acuminata and A. chlorantha), only I. gabonensis showed a significant difference in overall DBH size classes for both reserves (t=-2.404; df =21; p=0.026). Three tree NTFP species in both reserves further showed differences from the regular patterns of distribution of trees. The fairly regular reverse J-shaped size class distribution observed for M. acuminata in the study sites, however, suggests a recuperating population. In general, destructive harvesting of species, logging operations, low population size, narrow distribution ranges and habitat degradation are the major threats to the population of NTFPs in the study area. The implications of our findings for sustainable management of NTFPs in the study area are discussed and recommendations are made for a feasible approach towards enhancing the status of the species.     

Potential of coconut water to enhance fresh semen quality and fertility in rabbits

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Coconut water as a natural diluent was evaluated on rabbit semen quality, conception and litter size in artificially inseminated does. A total of 10 bucks...     

Preliminary evaluation of the nutritive value of the variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus L.) for African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell. 1822) fingerlings

A preliminary feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of adult variegated grasshopper (Zonocerus variegatus) meal (VGM) as a replacement for fish meal in the diets of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Proximate analysis result showed that VGM had 61.50% crude protein, 6.87% crude lipid, 27.33 NFE and 9.35% chitin. Five isonitrogenous (30%) and isoenergetic (18.42 MJ kg^?1) diets were formulated in which VGM progressively replaced fishmeal at five inclusion levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). The best performance in terms of % weight gain was observed in the group of fish fed ED₁ (25% inclusion level) and was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the groups fed the control diet. Weight gain and specific growth rate were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the group fed ED₄ (100%VGM). Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were numerically but not significantly different (P>0.05) among the different groups. The results indicate that apparent protein and lipid digestibility were high at all levels, although there were decreases with an increase in the inclusion levels. Carcass lipid decreased with an increase in the inclusion level of VGM. The VGM can replace fish meal up to 25% in the diets of C. gariepinus fingerlings without any adverse effect on growth and nutrient utilization.     

Effects of chitin and chitosan from cricket and shrimp on growth and carcass performance of broiler chickens

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Majority of the studies on the effect of chitin and chitosan on growth and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens has concentrated more on shrimp chitin...     

Socio-economic factors influencing marketing of non-timber forest products in tropical lowland rainforests of south-western Nigeria§

A number of factors persist to constrain the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) market and, by extension, its potential to contribute meaningfully to livelihood development and poverty reduction objectives. To better utilise the potential of NTFPs, it is important to have a better understanding of the key factors governing the success and failure of NTFPs trade. This paper reports on the market constraints and socio-economic factors that influence trade in five top-priority NTFPs within the tropical lowland rainforests of south-west Nigeria. The NTFPs investigated were bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis), African walnut (Plukenetia conophora), chew-stick (Massularia acuminata), fever bark (Annickia chlorantha) and bush pepper (Piper guineense). Field data were collected in 10 villages located within and around Omo and Shasha forest reserves using a household questionnaire survey. The results showed that seasonality, poor transport, lack of storage facilities and market information were the four main constraints influencing marketing and trade in the NTFPs. In addition, the level of education, gender (sex), household income, ethnicity, distance to the market and access to roads significantly influenced market knowledge and information among households involved in the trade of NTFPs. There is need to improve on the limited source of NTFPs information, enhance skills for product transformation, build innovative storage facilities, and develop the process of domestication and integration in traditional land-use systems.