Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

Number 4(6), 2019

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Seroprevalence of brucella antibodies in horses in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

Authors: Abdulkadir Usman Junaidu and Bashiru Garba

Abstract

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The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in horses reared in Sokoto metropolis using the rapid-plate test, serum agglutination test and Competitive ELISA. A total of 347 horses were sampled comprising of 329 males and 9 females within the age range of 1 to above ten years. The serum samples were harvested and subjected to Rapid Plate Test, CompELISA and Serum Agglutination Test. Out of the 347 horses sampled, 48 were found to be positive for the Rapid Plate Test and CompELISA while 41 were positive for Serum Agglutination Test. Thus, an overall prevalence of 13.83% was realized. Also, 7 horses had antibody titre of 1:40, 12 had 1:60 titre, while 29 had 1:80. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies was highest in males (14.28%) compared to females (0%). The seroprevalence to brucella antibodies was found not to be statistically significantly associated with sex of the horses as observed in this study. Horses between the age of 6 to 10 years had a higher prevalence of Brucella antibodies 24 (16.32%) as compared to those 0 to 5 years 21 (12.5%) and those above ten years 3 (9.37%). Age was also not a significant factor for brucella antibody seropositivity (p = 0.588). This study indicates that Brucellosis is prevalent in horses in Sokoto. Hence, horse attendants and livestock reared together are at risk of contracting brucella infection.

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Nutrients using in goats fed concentrate consist of vary levels of Muntingia calabura L leaves as maize substitution

Authors: Markus M. Kleden, Imanuel Benu and G. A. Y. Lestari

Abstract

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The research was carried out to measure nutrients utilize by goats fed concentrate containig varying levels of Muntingia clabura L. as maize substitute. This research was conducted based on Double Latin Square 4 x 4 eight female Kacang goats. Four treatments and four periods used as replications. The treatments are MC0 = concentrate 100% of maize mills without the flour of Muntingia calabura L. leaves; MC20 = concentrate with 20% Muntingia calabura L. leaves flour as maize substitute; MC40 = concentrate with 40% of Muntingia calabura L. leaves flour as maize substitute and MC60 = concentrate with 60% of Muntingia calabura L. leaves flour as maize substitute. All data are tabulated and analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and where the influence of the treatments was recorded, Least Quare was utilized using SPSS software, version 23 for windows. The result shows that the average dry matter consumption increases with an increase in the levels of Muntingia calabura L. leaves as maize substitute but the treatments have no significant influence (p>0.05). On the contrary, the value of NFE consumption tends to decrease, but it has no significant influence. However, the consumption of other nutrients, mainly crude protein, crude fiber, and crude fat increases significantly. The increasing of these nutrients is not followed by the increasing of digestibility values, since values of dry matter, crude protein, and crude fat decreases. Actually, there is an increase of rumen fermentation condition as indicated by concentrations of total VFA, rumen NH3, and propionate acid although it has no significant influence, statistically. In conclusion, the leaves of Muntingia calabura L. can be used as a component of concentrate formulation as maize substitute up to 40% inclusion level.

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Determinants of likelihood and extent of adoption of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cattle diseases in Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Authors: Ibrahim Shehu Usman

Abstract

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Number of views: 78

The study analyzed the determinants of likelihood and extent of adoption of medicinal plants used for the treatment of cattle diseases in Fufore Local Government Area, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect personal data of cattle herders, adoption pattern of the medicinal plants by the respondents and constraint against effective utilization of the medicinal plants by the respondents. Frequencies, percentages, mean and probit regression analysis were used to analyzed the data collected. Results of the research revealed that cattle herding in the study is dominated by young adults (71.03%) of between 30 to 59 years of age, majority (75.70%) did not attained formal education, and had 31 years average herding experience. About 94.39% of the respondents were married with average family size 8 people. Majority (85.05%) of the respondents have more 50 heads of cattle with only 11.21% who had at least extension visit once in 6 months. Result of adoption pattern revealed that 90.65% of the respondents adopted both medicinal plants and modern veterinary drugs in treatment of cattle diseases. The coefficient of age (4.8784), family size (0.1675), experience (1.2239) and number of cattle (0.0202) had positive and significant effect on the adoption of medicinal plants. Similarly, marginal effect of the variables determining adoption of medicinal plants by the respondents shows that age (0.0252), family size (0.0008), experience (0.0063) and number of cattle (0.0001) were positively related. Indiscriminate feeling of trees, bush burning and concealment of knowledge were the major problems faced the respondents. It was recommended that, conservation of medicinal plants, documentation and promotion of indigenous knowledge by encouraging research activities is required in the study area. Both community and concerned authorities should enforced to laws that prohibit indiscriminate cutting of trees and bush burning so as curb looming danger of loosing value medicinal plants. Research institute should investigate to ascertain the precise dosage of herbs to be used in the treatment and control of cattle diseases.

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Productive and reproductive performances of indigenous chicken population and traits preference of smallholder farmers in Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Authors: Belete Assefa, Ermias Tekletsadik, Tadesse Abate and Melaku Tareke

Abstract

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Number of views: 161

A study was conducted on productive and reproductive performances of indigenous chicken population and traits preference of smallholder farmers in Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia for assessing productive and reproductive performances of indigenous chicken population and farmers traits preference in study area. The study was conducted in five selected districts (Madda Walabu, Delomena, Berbere, Ginnir and Sinana districts) of Bale zone, south east Ethiopia. For this study, a total of 390 household having indigenous chicken population were sampled using simple random sampling techniques. The collected data were coded and inserted on Microsoft excel spread sheet and analysed using SAS software version 9.13. Growth rate and egg production traits are the first and second selection criteria preferred by farmers/pastoralists across study districts. Weight is the main trait preference by farmers/pastoralist both for male and female chicken across all study districts. The average age of indigenous cockerels and pullets at first mating and laying was 4.30 ± 0.1 and 4.50 ± 0.1 months, respectively. The number of clutches per hen and eggs per clutch and total eggs produced per hen per year were 4.0 ± 0.12, and 20.18 ± 0.66 eggs, respectively. The hatchability and survival rate of chicks were 76.25 and 74.35%, respectively. The result of study indicated that farmers/pastoralists in study area were practices different selection criteria and trait preference both for male and female chicken. Therefore, the study suggested that there is an opportunity for genetic improvement through selection and there is a need of in-depth breed characterization and the relationship of trait preference of farmers/pastoralists with economical values of the traits.