Experimental Rift Valley fever in West African Dwarf sheep.

West African Dwarf sheep were challenged with a low mouse brain-passaged Rift Valley fever virus (Ib-AR 55172) isolated from Nigeria. Viraemia, mild febrile reaction and neutralising antibodies were demonstrated in inoculated animals.     

Age- and sex-dependent regression models for predicting the live weight of West African Dwarf goat from body measurements

The relationships between live weight and eight body measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were studied using 211 animals under farm condition. The animals were categorized based on age and sex. Data obtained on height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head length (HL), and length of hindquarter (LHQ) were fitted into simple linear, allometric, and multiple-regression models to predict live weight from the body measurements according to age group and sex. Results showed that live weight, HG, BL, LHQ, HL, and HW increased with the age of the animals. In multiple-regression model, HG and HL best fit the model for goat kids; HG, HW, and HL for goat aged 13–24 months; while HG, LHQ, HW, and HL best fit the model for goats aged 25–36 months. Coefficients of determination (R ²) values for linear and allometric models for predicting the live weight of WAD goat increased with age in all the body measurements, with HG being the most satisfactory single measurement in predicting the live weight of WAD goat. Sex had significant influence on the model with R ² values consistently higher in females except the models for LHQ and HW.     

Antioxidant,nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum from rainforest ecosystem of Ondo State,Nigeria

Tropical forests contain many tree species that have supplied edible fruits for centuries.These fruits have contributed to human diets due to their richness in nutrients,vitamins,minerals,antioxidants and their low antinutrients content.We investigated the antioxidant,nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Garcinia kola and Chrysophyllum albidum fruit parts.The nutritional,anti-nutritional and antioxidant compositions differed depending on the fruit part.Irrespective of fruit part,moisture content was high(72–93 %).While the edible part(fruit pulp) of C.albidum proved a better source of protein(4),fibre(17 %) and fat(2 %),the seed kernel was a better source of ash(2 %) and carbohydrate(15 %).Carbohydrate(22 %),protein(2 %),fat(1 %) and fibre(3 %) were higher in G.kola seed kernel(edible part) than in the pulp and pod.Anti-nutrient content in G.kola and C.albidum fruits was low,indicating that their consumption would not pose nutritional or health problems.The antioxidant compositions(especially phenolic content(10–21 mg g-1) and DPPH(1,1-diphenyl–2 picrylhydrazyl)(26–55 %)) of C.albidum fruit pulp and G.kola seed kernel were high,implying that they could be good sources of natural antioxidants and could be used as supplements in food manufacturing.     

Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of west African dwarf sheep and goats: effects of temperature and pH

The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and of WAD sheep was determined at different temperatures and pH. Erythrocytes of the goats were more susceptible to osmotic haemolysis than those of the sheep. However, the osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of both species increased with a decrease in temperature or pH.     

Immunological reactions of Rift Valley fever virus strains from East and West Africa.

Three strains of Rift Valley fever virus, namely Nigerian (NIG), Smithburn's neurotropic (SNT), and Lunyo variant (LUN) were compared by complement fixation (CF), neutralisation (N), haemagglutination/haemagglutination-inhibition (HA/HI) and agar gel diffusion (AGD) tests. They showed reciprocal cross-reactivity in CF tests. In N tests, using immune sheep sera, there was reciprocal cross-neutralisation between the NIG and SNT strains, but not with the LUN strain, the antiserum of which neutralised both NIG and SNT antigens whereas the reverse was not the case. When hyperimmune mouse ascitic fluid was employed in N tests, there was cross-reactivity between the three strains. Both the NIG and SNT strains yielded haemagglutinins, but not the LUN strain. Furthermore, by the antibody absorption and AGD techniques, the NIG and SNT strains were found to be identical and distinct from the LUN variant strain. The techniques found most useful in distinguishing between the three strains were HA and AGD. Laboratory neuro-adaptation of the classical pantropic virus did not appear to affect its haemagglutination activity.     

Effects of Ingesting Fucoidan Derived from Cladosiphon okamuranus Tokida on Human NK Cells: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Parallel-Group,Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ingesting fucoidan derived from Okinawa mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus) on natural killer (NK) cell activity and to assess its safety in healthy adults via a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups—a placebo group (ingesting citric acid, sucralose, and caramel beverages; n = 20; 45.5 ± 7.8 years (mean ± standard deviation)) and a fucoidan group (3.0 g/day from beverages; n = 20; 47.0 ± 7.6 years); after 12 weeks, blood, biochemical, and immunological tests were performed. Clinically adverse events were not observed in any of the tests during the study period. In addition, adverse events due to the test food were not observed. In the immunological tests, NK cell activity was significantly enhanced at 8 weeks in the fucoidan group, compared to before ingestion (0 weeks). In addition, a significantly enhanced NK cell activity was observed in male subjects at 8 weeks, compared with the placebo group. These results confirm that Okinawa mozuku-derived fucoidan enhances NK cell activity and suggest that it is a safe food material.     

Inactivated oil emulsion vaccines from selected clones of Newcastle disease virus

Summary

The immunogenicity of oil emulsion (OE) vaccines prepared from two selected clones of a Nigerian strain of Newcastle disease virus and two commercial vaccine strains were compared. Geometric mean haemagglutination inhibition titre was lowest in OE‐Lasota, although all four vaccines gave 100% protection against clinical Newcastle disease. The use of OE vaccines is recommended for commercial use in Nigeria.     

Plasma Electrolyte,Protein and Metabolite Levels in Nigerian White Fulani Cattle under Two Different Management Systems

Plasma electrolyte, protein and metabolite concentrations were determined in White Fulani cattle kept under intensive and extensive systems of management in Nigeria. The total protein and albumin values were significantly higher (p<0.02 and p<0.05, respectively) under the intensive management systems. The plasma bicarbonate, calcium, inorganic phosphate, potassium, sodium, globulin, creatinine and urea values were similar under both systems of management.     

Effects of temperature and pH on osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus) and guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris).

The effects of temperature and pH on the osmotic behaviour of erythrocytes of the domestic fowl and guinea-fowl were studied. Erythrocytes of the guinea-fowl were observed to be more osmotically fragile than those of the domestic fowl at 29 degrees C and pH 7.7. The osmotic fragility of erythrocytes of both species decreased as the temperature (at constant pH of 7.7) or pH (at constant temperature of 29 degrees C) increased. The erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume were identical in both species.