Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

8

Authors: J. J. Ajakaiye, F. B. Hassan and J. O. Ayo

A 6 hours experiment involving 90 apparently healthy Shika Brown layer hens of twenty-two weeks age and an average live weight of 1.1 ± 0.2 kg was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of vitamins C and E on rectal temperature (RT) and behaviour of the birds transported by road during the hot-dry season. Two experimental groups consisting of thirty layers each were separately administered orally with vitamins C and E just before transportation, while another 30 layers given sterile water only served as control. At journey time the RT was higher (p<0.05) in control compared with treatment groups. After the journey, the maximum RT values of 42.3 ± 0.2°C and 41.9 ± 0.1°C obtained in control and vitamin C groups were significantly (p<0.001) and (p<0.05) higher than their pre-journey values. There was a non-significant (p>0.05) difference in the vitamin E group. When pre- and post-transportation values were compared, the behavioural activities of tonic immobility (TI), regrouping and awareness tests were non-significant (p>0.05) in treatment groups, but control showed significant (p<0.01) difference for TI, and (p<0.05) for regrouping and awareness tests, respectively. In conclusion, vitamins C and E ameliorated the negative psycho-physiological effect of heat stress in transported birds.

5

Authors: Henry, A. J., Halilu, A. and Udoh, P. I.

The study was conducted to examine the post – weaning performance of F1 progeny of rabbits fed pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaves as feed supplement. Twenty-four (24) cross bred (New Zealand White X Chinchila) weaned rabbits of four (4) weeks of age (average weight of 208.41 g) of mixed sex were used. The rabbits were divided into two dietary treatment groups comprising of twelve rabbits each. Treatment groups were designated as T1 and T2 for rabbits fed fresh pawpaw leaves and wilted pawpaw leaves respectively. In addition to pawpaw leaves formulated concentrate containing crude protein level of 14.75% and energy level of 2488.68 KCal/kgME was used. The feeding trial lasted 6 weeks. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. T-test was used to compare the means of both treatments. Results obtained revealed an average final body weight of 1483.73 g (T1) and 1000.28 g (T2) at the end of 6 weeks. Average total feed intake values were 189.34g (T1) and 189.06g (T2), average pawpaw leaves intake for T1 was 94.24 g and T2 94.20 g with feed conversion ratio of 0.94 and 0.84 for T1 and T2, respectively. These parameters were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary treatments, except for final body weight, average weekly and daily weight gains. Final body weight, average weekly and daily weight gains were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for rabbits served fresh pawpaw leaves. Results obtained from this study have shown that fresh pawpaw leaves can be utilized by weaner rabbits as feed supplement with concentrates compared with wilted pawpaw leaves.

7

Authors: Manyeula F., Tsopito C. M., Kamau J. M., Mogotsi K. K., Nsoso S. J. and Moreki J. C.

A 90 days study was conducted to compare the effects of feeding Tswana hens reared under intensive system and fed diets formulated from Imbrasia belina (Westwood), Vigna subterranea (L) Verde and Tylosema esculentum (Burchell) Schreiber as sources of protein on egg quality. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated by totally replacing soybean meal (SBM) with I. belina, V. subterranea and T. esculentum as protein sources while commercial layer diet was used as control diet. Twelve eggs from each pen were collected at 28, 33 and 38 weeks of age for egg quality analysis in a completely randomized design. Egg weight (EW), shell weight (SW), shell thickness (ST), shell index (SI), shell percentage (SP), egg surface area (ESA), egg volume (EV), egg contents (EC) and Haugh units (HU) were measured. Repeated measure analysis showed significant (P<0.05) week × diets interaction effect on EW and SW. At week 28, hens on T. esculentum diet had the highest (P < 0.05) EW while those on control diet attained the highest (P < 0.05) EW at week 33. Hens fed I. belina diets had the highest (P < 0.05) SW at week 28. However, at weeks 33 and 38, hens on I. belina diets had the smallest (P < 0.05) SW. Hens fed V. subterranea and T. esculentum diets had significantly lower overall SI compared to those on control and I. belina diets. Tylosema esculentum diets did not promote (P<0.05) ESA, EV and EC. However, no influence (P>0.05) of dietary treatments was observed on overall ST, SP and HU. The inclusion of I. belina and V. subterranea on layer diet had no adverse effects on egg quality while the totally replacement of SBM with T. esculentum as protein source impaired egg quality. These results, suggest that I. belina and V. subterranea could completely replace SBM as protein source in the layer diets without any detrimental effects on egg quality.

9

Authors: Egu, U.N.

Sixteen healthy West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks aged 2.0 to 2.6 years, weighing between 8.50 kg and 8.52 kg were used to study the effect of gonadotrophin (Pergonal®) on semen characteristic, hormonal profile and biochemical constituents of the seminal plasma. The 16 WAD bucks were divided into 4 treatment groups. Each treatment group consisted of 4 bucks with one buck per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 levels of Pergonal® as treatment. The levels of Pergonal® were 0.00 i.u (T1), 9.00 i.u (T2), 18.00 i.u (T3), and 27.00 i.u (T4) Pergonal® injections (Ferring Labs USA). The group which contained no Pergonal® served as the control (T1), administered with 1.00 ml physiological saline. All the treatments were given by intramuscular injections. The results showed significant differences (P0.05) among the treatment groups in all the parameters for semen quality: semen volume, mass motility, semen pH, individual motility, sperm concentration, proportion of live, normal and dead sperm cells. The results further showed that there were significant differences (P0.05) among the treatment groups in luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels in the serum. Similarly, the results showed that there were significant differences (P0.05) among the treatment groups in sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, fructose, bicarbonate, urea, Ascobic acid and citric acid in the seminal plasma. The results of this study showed that Pergonal(R) enhanced semen quality and was not detrimental to the hormonal profile and biochemical constituents of the seminal plasma of the WAD bucks.

6

Authors: Bigya Dhital

Ticks cause serious problems in livestock production. A survey was conducted to know the farmers perception on ticks problems and management practices in livestock at Lamjung, Chitwan and Dang districts, Nepal in 2017/018. Thirty households from each district were randomly selected and semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary information by face-to-face interview. Pest problem has shown an increase in all three surveyed areas. Similarly, less than half respondent in Dang (43.33%) followed by Lamjung and Chitwan (36.66%) responded weight losses as the main problem due to ticks in livestock. Neem was found most used plant material to control ticks in all areas as nearly half in Lamjung (46.66%), Chitwan (46.66%) and Dang (40.00%). Additionally, highest numbers of farmer were found using salt water to control ticks. This study clearly shows that ethno-veterinary management practices are also followed by farmers to manage ticks problem in livestock, whose further study is necessary.

14

Authors: Ogbu, K. I., Olaolu, O. S., Ochai, S. O. and Tion, M. T.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases have great economic and medical importance worldwide and they affect both animal and human health by sucking blood and also transmitting protozoan, bacterial, rickettsial, spirochetal and viral agents. Ticks can live in all regions of the world except Polar Regions. Tick-borne encephalitis Virus, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Hepatozoonosis are important tick-borne diseases of dogs and they influence a great variety of other domestic and wild animals. Ticks are ectoparasites of mammals, birds and reptiles specializing as obligate blood sucking permanent ectoparasitic arthropods. As vector of important haemoparasitic disease, tick surpasses all other arthropods, apart from mosquitoes as diseases agents of humans and lead to poor performance of the animals. One or more of the approximately 840 known species of ticks are found in most terrestrial regions of the earth. Two major families of ticks are ixodidae (hard bodies ticks) and argasidae (soft bodies ticks), with ixodidae being the largest and most important family. These vectors such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus which are endemic in Nigeria, have affected the performance of dogs which are major human companions through their activities such as blood sucking, disease transmission, biting effect and causing listlessness through itching and scratching. The important pathogens dealt with in this study, include tick-borne encephalitis virus, Ehrlicia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Hepatozoon canis and Babesia canis. This review aims at to create better awareness on ticks and tick-borne pathogens of dogs providing latest knowledge on prevention and control of this menace.

6

Authors: Wuanor, A. A., Gwaza, D. S. and Kembe, T.

A 90-day study was conducted to evaluate the performance response of feedlot Bunaji bulls to dietary melon seed husk meal inclusion. Twelve Bunaji bulls aged two years and weighing 105 Kg on the average were randomly divided into four groups of three bulls each and allotted to four dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design in which each bull served as a replicate. The experimental diets were formulated using maize offal, palm kernel meal, soya bean haulm, cowpea husk, soya meal, rice offal, melon seed husk, bone ash and table salt. Melon seed husk meal (MSHM) was included in the diets at 0, 5, 10 and 20% corresponding to T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Elephant grass (forage) and water were offered ad libitum while the experimental diets containing the melon seed husk meal were fed at 3.0% body weight of the bulls. Results obtained at the end of the study showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the initial body weight, average daily supplement intake, average daily forage intake, average daily total feed intake, average daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and final body weight. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the average daily water intake whose values were 13.66, 13.42, 12.47 and 12.26 litres for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. It was concluded that inclusion of melon seed husk meal in the diets did not exert any deleterious effect on the performance of the feedlot Bunaji bulls. It was recommended that melon seed husk meal can be included up to 10% in the supplementary diets of feedlot Bunaji bulls.

7

Authors: Oyebanji, B. O., Oyewumi Oluwaseun, C. and Fadopemu, O. C.

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Curcuma longa on growth performance, haematological and biochemical parameters of noiler birds. A total of sixty-four (64) noiler birds of both sexes with an average weight of 1974±0.03 g were randomized into four treatment groups. Each treatment group comprised of eight birds per replicate and was replicated twice. Treatment 1 (control), treatment 2 (turmeric at 10 g/kg of feed), treatment 3 (turmeric at 20 g/kg of feed) and treatment 4 (selcon forte at 0.5 g/kg of feed). Weekly body weight and daily feed intake of the birds were recorded for 6 weeks, after which daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio were calculated. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemical parameters, whole blood was analyzed for hematological parameters while serum was used for biochemical parameters. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the daily weight gain and the feed intake of the birds in all the treatments. The packed cell volume (PCV) of birds administered 10 g of turmeric per kg of feed (T2) (35.00±1.88%) was significantly higher when compared with birds in treatments T1 (31.09±2.3%), T3 (33.17±0.79%) and T4 (31.33±2.23%). The hemoglobin value of T2 birds (11.48±0.67 g/dl) was also significantly higher than birds in the other groups. The total protein of birds in groups T2 (5.28±0.45 g/dl) and T3 (5.63±0.34 g/dl) were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to birds in groups T1 (5.03±0.48 g/dl) and T4 (4.93±0.40 g/dl). The birds fed diets supplemented with turmeric (T2 and T3) had significantly low total cholesterol level and higher value of high density lipoprotein and reduced the level of low density lipoprotein when compared to T1 and T4 birds. It can be concluded that turmeric fed to noiler chickens have no deleterious effect and can be included in their feed at 10 g/kg.

8

Authors: Ilo, S.U. and Egu, U.N.

Forty-eight sexually matured (7 to 8 months old) healthy New Zealand White rabbits consisting of male and female of equal sexes were used to determine the effect of graded levels of ginger rhizome meal on haematological parameters. The rabbits were divided into 4 treatment groups, identified as T1, T2, T3 and T4 and randomly assigned to four treatment diets in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Each of the treatment groups consisted of 12 rabbits (6 does and 6 bucks) replicated 3 times with 4 rabbits per replicate. The levels of inclusion of the ginger rhizome meal were 0.00, 5.00, 10.00 and 15.00% identified as T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Treatment one (T1) which contained no ginger rhizome meal served as the control. The rabbits were fed twice daily, in the morning and evening. Water was given ad libitum to the rabbits. After 30 days of the feeding trail, blood samples were randomly collected from 12 rabbits (6 does and 6 bucks) in each treatment group for hematological evaluation. The results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in haematological parameters: haemoglobin (HB), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) , white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte values. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatment groups in red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), basophils and monocyte values. The results further showed that the HB, PCV, RBC, WBC, neutrophil and lymphocyte values of the rabbits were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by sexes. Haemoglobin (12.72g/dl) PCV 37.87% RBC 5.54 (x1012/L) and lymphocytes (47.67%) of the male rabbits (bucks) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than their female (doe) counterparts 11.97 g/dl, 34.60%, 4.98 (x1012/L) and 39.00% respectively. Mean corpuscular volume (70.43 fl), WBC (9.07x109/L) and neutrophils (60.00%) of the female rabbits differed significantly (P<0.05) from their male counterparts 67.65 fl, 6.40x109/l and 51.33% respectively. The results of this study indicate that inclusion of ginger rhizome meal in the diets of the pubertal rabbits up to 5% improved the haematological indices of these rabbits.

10

Authors: Babalobi O. O. and Alhaji N. B.

This is a review of research application of Participatory Epizootiology to investigate Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia among pastoralists in Oyo State and Niger State, Nigeria, between 2007 and 2015, at the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan where the first author, a Veterinary Epidemiologist Lecturer/Researcher teaches Participatory Epizootiology Research as part of PVM 711: Advanced Epizootiology, a compulsory Course in the three Master degrees curriculum of the Department since 2004. He subsequently designed a PhD research project on the application of Participatory Epizootiology to the Igangan Grazing Reserve and got a University Senate Research SRG/FVM/2006/9A to that effect. In 2007, the Principal Veterinary Officer of the Faculty Eruwa Veterinary Field Station in Ibarapa East Local Government Area, Oyo State, south-western Nigeria, reported to the first author (then Chairman, Eruwa Veterinary Field Station), a suspected case of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia incidence at the Igangan Grazing Reserve. The diseased lung samples of dead infected cattle he brought were confirmed by gross and histopathological examinations at the Faculty’s Department of Veterinary Pathology. From 2011 to 2015, the second author adopted the PE PhD-design (with other conventional veterinary research approach) to investigate Contagious Bovine Pleuro-pneumonia prevalence in Niger State, North-central Nigeria, first for his Masters (2011), followed with a PhD (2015). Result indicated that Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia in enzootic in Oyo and Niger State, Nigeria with a 77.67% of CBPP outbreaks in Niger State, Nigeria occurring in the dry season, and a prevalence of 8.73%. Participatory Epizootiology is a cheap, low capital involvement of traditional settler beneficiaries in identification of enzootic animal problems and their Community Based Animal Health training need. Participatory Epizootiology should be adopted in combination with conventional veterinary methods for effective Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia surveillance and control techniques in Africa.