Animal Research International

1619 – 1624

Authors: NWAMBA, Helen Ogochukwu

Twenty-one (21) specimens of Oreochromis niloticus (total weight 400g) were collected from a market in Enugu metropolis and used to assess the effects of different preservation methods on proximate composition. The fish samples were stored for 28 days. Preservation and processing methods adopted were: refrigeration, deep-freezing, oven-drying, straight-smoking, and salted smoking. The oven-dried, straight-smoked, and salted-smoked samples were stored in polythene bags at room temperature in the laboratory. Moisture, protein, fat, fiber, and ash contents of all the samples were determined according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists procedures. Free preservation on storage led to a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the percentage of ash, crude protein, and fat contents of fish samples. The greatest reduction was observed in refrigerated samples while salted-smoked samples were the least affected. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) between the storage period and the free-fatty acid of the samples. The refrigerated samples showed the highest levels of rancidity while the salted-smoked method gave the highest level of stabilizing in the proximate composition on storage for 28 days.

1632 – 1637

Authors: NWAMBA, Helen Ogochukwu

Some chemical parameters of a rock water-productive pond were determined. Chicken droppings were applied at the rate of 1.5kg per day to a pond with a mean surface area of 300m2. The experimental period lasted for 10 months, with the first five months as the unfertilized period and the remaining five months as the fertilized period. All water quality parameters were studied titrimetrically and triplicated for accuracy and precision. There was no significant variation (P>0.05) in the conductivity (ionic content) of the pond water whether fertilized or unfertilized. The increase in the mean values of free carbon dioxide during the fertilized period was attributed to an increased rate of decomposition of organic matter and a concomitant release of carbon dioxide. Both phosphate-phosphorus (P04-P) and nitrate-nitrogen (N03-N) were significantly different (P<0.05) when the pond was fertilized. This was attributed to the availability of nitrogen and phosphorus as part of the constituents of chicken droppings. From this study, it was observed that the use of fertilizer had favourable effect on the chemical parameters of the pond.

1645 – 1653

Authors: GABRIEL, Ugwemorubong Ujagwung, EDORI, Onisogen Simeon and OGBU, Magnus Ogochukwu

The effect of toluene on enzymes; Aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the plasma, organs (gills, kidney, liver), and muscle of Clarias gariepinus was assessed. The activity of AST in the gill was variable among the treated group and between the treated groups and the control with an increase in all the concentrations (129.4 – 976%) above the value of the control (42.50 ± 28.72 IU/L). The activity of ALT in the gill was gradually raised from 50 ppm to a peak (187.50%) at 125 ppm. Although the ALP had the highest activity in the gill in comparison to other enzymes it was variable with inhibitions. Toluene caused excitation at 75 and 125 ppm were more than thrice and twice respectively than at the control in the kidney. It caused an increase in the activity of ALT with more than 6x (25 ppm), 9x (75 ppm), and 15x (125 ppm) that of the control. However, the activity of ALP in the kidney was generally unaffected by the exposure at the other concentrations. There was general excitation of AST activity in the liver with higher levels of excitation, 25 – 40% at 25, 75 and 125 ppm. A raise in ALT activity was recorded in all the exposure. A concentration-dependent increase was observed in activity of ALP in the liver 299, 479 and 596% above the control value, 46.00 ± 34.84 IU/L. There was both excitation inhibition of AST activity in the muscle tissue of the fish. There was a sharp decline of 69 and 55% at 50 and 100 ppm in ALT activity and enhanced activity of 321, 179, and 227% at 25, 75 and 125 ppm, respectively above the control value. ALP activity was excited in the muscle in all the test concentrations (maximum, 90% at 25 ppm). There was a sharp decline in the activity of AST in the plasma with the least value at 75ppm, 64% lower than the control value. All concentrations of toluene elicited the activity of ALT in the plasma. The increase was 3.5x, 2.5x, 4.5x, 2.25x, and 5x at the exposure concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 ppm) respectively, relative to the control values. The relative activity of AST in the organs generally followed the pattern: muscle > liver > gill > kidney> plasma and that of ALT activity, muscle > kidney > liver > gill > plasma, and ALP was kidney > muscle > liver > gill > plasma.

1555 – 1559

Authors: NWANKWO, S. U., OMEJE, S. I. and EBENEBE, C. I.

The study was conducted to ascertain the body temperature and resting behaviours of three strains of egg-type pullet chickens (exotic [ISA brown], improved native [Alpha] and Native chickens). A total of 90 egg-type pullets aged 12 months and their day-old, non-inbred progeny pullets numbering 90 were used for the study. Both the parents and their progeny were housed at 10 per pen and 3 replicates per genotype and their progeny. The parents were fed and watered ad-libitum between 52 – 63 weeks period of the experiment. The progeny of each genotype were kept for 0 – 12 weeks, during which time, chicks were fed and watered ad-libitum as in the parents and data were collected. During this period, body temperature and resting behaviour were collected concerning the birds and their progeny. The result showed no significant (P > 0.05) genotype effects in the body temperature of both the parents and their progeny. This implies that neither progeny nor generation affected body temperature. The Alpha strain exhibited more resting behaviour than did the exotic and the pure native types. The majority of the birds rested at 2.00 pm. This could be attributed to the fact that at 2.00 pm the weather is hot and birds search for a quiet and cool place to reduce thermal stress.

1567 – 1571

Authors: NWAMBA, Helen Ogochukwu

Aspects of tissue analysis of Clarias gariepinus juveniles (90.60 ± 0.24g) were studied following injection of different concentrations of Bonny light crude oil (BLCO). Experimental fish were injected at concentrations: 0.00, 25.00, 50.00 and 75.00 µlg-1 to test fish responses during 4 days toxicity and 42 days recovery periods. A control experiment was left with fish not injected with BLCO. A 38% crude protein diet was fed to the fish at 3% body weight per day (p.w.d-1) during the toxicity and 5% during the recovery period. The protein value (PV) increased as the BLCO concentration increased up to 75 µlg-1 at recovery phase and vis-versa at toxicity phase. This could be due to immune response mechanism which eventually dropped at the recovery phase. The starch value (SV) and unsaponification values (USPV) were not affected, the saponification value (SPV) only increased between 25.00 and 0.0 µlg-1 and declined at 75 µlg-1. The decrease in values of SPV in treated fish tissues has implications on energy metabolism. Of the four tissue values (PV, SV, SPV, and USPV) of the fish tested, only the USPV was not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the fish injected with the different concentrations of BLCO. The 0 and 25 µlg-1 have the same effect on the mortality rate. Similar mortality values of the fish recorded with the 25 µlg-1 BLCO and the control suggest that this oil dosage was probably inadequate to alter the mortality rates of C. gariepinus juveniles. The survival rates increased with decreasing concentration.

1579 – 1584

Authors: IGHODARO, Macdonald O., OMOLE, J. O. and FADIPE, S. O.

Recent research findings extol the medicinal significance of the different parts of Piliostigma thonningii. The present study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of its ethyl acetate leaf extract against AlCl3-induced hepatocellular derangement in mature male rats. Thirty male Wistar rats (mean weight, 207 ± 11.01g) were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group treated with 0.5 ml of olive oil (vehicle for the extract) and 1 ml of saline (vehicle for the toxicant), a second group treated with 0.5 mg of AlCl3 (toxicant) per kg of body weight (bwt) and a third group treated with 0.5 mg of Alcl3 and 250 mg of P. thonningii extract per kg of body weight. Doses were administered for 35 days at 24-hour intervals. Enzyme indices of liver functional and physiological integrity were analyzed using clinical test kits. The data obtained showed that rats treated with AlCl3 expressed significant decrease in mean body weight gain (p<0.05) as well as increased serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) relative to the control group. AlCl3 also caused a significant increase in the absolute weight of the liver of rats. The AlCl3-induced derangements were almost completely reversed in rats co-treated with P. thonningii ethyl acetate leaf extract. Histopathological examination of thin sections of the liver of rats in the different groups showed massive hepatocellular damage in rats exposed to AlCl3 alone compared to rats co-treated with the extract. Conclusively, the current study indicates that P. thonningii ethyl acetate leaf extract at the dose administered (250 mg/kg bwt po) protected rats against AlCl3-induced liver damage.

1601 – 1612

Authors: IHEDIOHA, John Ikechukwu, UGWUJA, Jerome Ifeanyichukwu, NOEL-UNEKE, Onyinyechukwu Ada, UDEANI, Ikechukwu John and DANIEL-IGWE, Gloria

This study established reference values for the haematology profile of the conventional grade out-bred albino mice (Mus musculus) in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria. A total of 336 apparently healthy mice, made up of 168 males and 168 females, were used for the study. Mice of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30 and 40 weeks of age (eight age sets) were studied, and for each age set the haematology profile of 21 males and 21 females were assessed following standard manual procedures immediately upon blood sample collection from the orbital sinus. Results showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) age-related variations in the erythrocyte counts (EC), haemoglobin concentrations (HbC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total leukocyte counts (TLC) and absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of males and females and mean corpuscular haemoglobin of males only. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the males and females in their TLC at weeks 4 and 40 of age, ALC at week 24 of age and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) at weeks 4, 20 and 24 of age. The absolute values obtained in this present study were for some parameters different from the reference values documented for mice in temperate countries, but the trend of age-related variations and differences between the sexes was nearly the same except for the ANC.

1485 – 1496

Authors: OSELEBE, Happiness Ogba, NNAMANI, Catherine Vera and OKPORIE, Emmanuel Okorie

Traditional leafy vegetables represent inexpensive but high-quality nutritional sources, for the poor segment of the population especially where malnutrition is widespread. The objectives of this research were a) to identify and document the traditional leafy vegetables and spices of Ebonyi State, and b) to assess their nutritional values with a view of enhancing their selection as components of cooked food. Market and field surveys were carried out for traditional leafy vegetables and spices in three major clans in Ebonyi North senatorial zone, Ebonyi State: Izzi, Izhia, and Ngbo clans. Informal interviews were also conducted with some indigenes on the vegetables and spices identified, including where, when, and how they were obtained for sale in the markets. Finally, proximate and Mineral content analysis of three of the traditional leafy vegetables was done to know their nutritional as well as mineral content. Results identified twenty-seven traditional leafy vegetables and five spices from 23 plant families. 46.7 % of the plant collections were seen and collected from the wild, while 40 % were cultivated. 33.3 % of the leafy vegetables were tree species, 30 % were herbaceous plants, and 23 % were climbers, while 13.3 % were shrubs. 60 % of the species were propagated by seed, while 36.7 % were propagated by vegetative means. The parts consumed were mainly the leaves (76.7 %), the stem, the flower, and the seeds. 40 % of the materials collected were major income earners for the rural populace, 36.7 % earned some income, although small, while 23.3 % had the potential of being transformed into large-scale income earners. Results also indicated that three of the vegetables analyzed were good sources of micro-nutrients. Their calcium content ranged between 54.06 - 90.10 mg/100 g, while zinc and lead which are antioxidants were absent. The ash content of the three plants ranged from 8.10 - 6.30 %, while protein ranged from 5 – 10 % of fresh weight or 13 - 30% of dry weight. Their fiber (roughage) content was high and will promote digestion and prevent constipation when consumed.

1502 – 1505

Authors: ADEYEMI, Samuel Olusegun and AKOMBO, Pauline Mbakaan

The food composition and dietary habit of Labeo senegalensis at the Idah area of river Niger was carried out between January and February 2010. 155 samples were obtained from artisanal fishermen and brought to the biological sciences laboratory for analysis. Fish samples were dissected and the stomach contents were emptied into Petri dishes containing 10% saline solution and observed under a dissecting microscope. The food items were counted and the stomachs were scored according to their fullness. The result shows that the fish feed mainly on mud (4.31%), sand particles (6.00%), plant materials (80.65%), fish remains (5.81%), insect parts (2.58%), and small gravel (0.65%) respectively. L. senegalensis in the Idah area of River Niger is a herbivorous detrivore feeding more on plant materials.

1515 – 1523

Authors: ONWUBIKO, Henry Amaechi

The technique to detect and diagnose infectious prions, the causative agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopaties (TSEs) at very early stages of infection where the disease can be controlled and even eliminated has been developed. The technique now in the field is being applied worldwide for the screening of cattle, sheep, rodents, humans and other animals. It has not only saved lives but also billions of dollars in agriculture by preventing the spread of infection in livestock. In the United Kingdom, over 2 million cattle have been destroyed due to prion infection. Prion has also been identified in the United States, and more recently in South Korea. While in Nigeria, many of our cattle and sheep have not been screened and no awareness exist for TSEs. Preliminary work is already underway. Also screening studies are just commencing at a very slow pace in Jos. Given the globalized nature of the present world, where infections move across continents at a rapid pace, it is very disturbing that the nation has no policy and is ill-prepared to respond to it should an epidemic of TSEs break out among its livestock or population. It is necessary to apply this ultrasensitive technique for detection and diagnosis of infectious prions to the screening of livestock, and the protection of Nigerian citizens from TSEs. The technique is also a sensitive tool for studying and uncovering the mechanism of potential drugs that can inhibit or slow down the spread of TSE infection. It will advance the frontiers on the study of the mode of infection and conversion of prions and has significantly already contributed to the new paradigm that has changed our knowledge on infections.

1529 – 1536

Authors: OLAWUMI, Simeon O., OGUNLADE, J. Taiwo and FAJEMILEHIN, Samuel O.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of strain and age on production traits of commercial broiler chickens reared on full-feeding, and under the same housing, feeding regime, agro-climatic zone and management practices. A total number of 150 broiler day-old chicks, that, is 50 chicks each of Arbor Acres (strain A), Hubbard (strain B) and Marshall (strain C) were purchased from local hatcheries, and raised on deep litter in separate pens for 49 days (7 weeks). Data collected include live body weight, body length, breast girth, shank length and thigh length. In addition, data on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency at two weeks interval beginning from 1st week were taken. Analyzed results showed that genotype and age of birds had highly significant (P<0.01) effects on all the performance traits of broiler chickens. Strains A and B appeared superior to strain C in body weight, but the latter was better (P<0.01) in shank length and breast girth than the former. As regards feed conversion, strain C was the poorest, intermediate in strain B, and strain A the best. The feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio were related but in a reverse manner. Strain A was adjudged good and profitable because the strain had the highest mean values in body weight and feed efficiency coupled with the lowest feed conversion ratio at maturity, and could be recommended to poultry farmers in this zone for increased productivity, income generation and maximum profit.

1540 – 1543

Authors: EDOGA, C. O., NJOKU, O. O., UFELE, A. N. and EBENEBE, C. I.

The role of dietary vitamin A supplements on the serum protein of trypanosome-infected rats was studied. The rats were inoculated with trypanosomes intraperitoneally and samples were collected on the fourth, eighth, twelfth, and sixteenth days post-infection. The experiment was carried out at the Department of Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Sixty parasite free-albino rats were used, which were divided into four groups. Group A (control) was left uninfected with trypanosomes, groups B and C were infected with trypanosomes and treated with 50mls and 100mls of vitamin A per kg of feed respectively and group D was infected and left untreated with vitamin A. Analyses of the sera using Bradford method and cellulose acetate electrophoresis showed that vitamin A influenced the state of hypoproteinaemia in the trypanosome-infected rats. This was manifested by a positive increase in the level of total serum protein concentration, albumin, and beta-globulin. Vitamin A also delayed the proliferation of the parasites associated with trypanosomiasis.