Animal Research International

1388 – 1391

Authors: NJOM, Victor Stephen and EZE, Chukwuma Simon

The toxicity and growth regulatory effects of Moringa oleifera seed extracts were assessed on third larval instars of Anopheles gambiae, under laboratory conditions. Mortality at different concentrations varied but increased as concentration levels increased. Mortality progressed on a daily basis throughout the period of experimentation. At the highest and lowest concentrations of 5%w/v and 1%w/v, larval mortality was 80% and 10% respectively in a day. Molting to the next larval instar was prolonged in all concentrations. No adult emerged in higher concentrations, though few adults emerged in lower concentrations, they were weak to fly. This study clearly showed that Moringa oleifera extract has larvicidal and growth-regulatory properties on larvae of Anopheles gambiae.

1398 – 1404

Authors: KEHINDE Abiodun Solomon, OBUN, Cletus Otu, INUWA Michael and BABADOYE, Oluwafemi

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of graded levels (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5%) of ginger in the diets of cockerel chicks on growth performance and haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Two hundred and sixty four-two week old cockerel chicks used for the trial were randomly allotted to four treatments (T1 T2, T3, T4) at 66 chicks per treatment, each treatment was replicated six times (11 birds per replicate). The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous (2400kcal/kg M.E and 21% crude protein). The trial lasted for seven weeks. Results elicited that ginger supplementation at 0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 % had no adverse effect on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, haemoglobin count, white blood cell count and lymphocyte count. Packed cell volume (28.0 ± 3.0%), Red blood cell count (2.2 ± 0.4 (x 109/1), and urea (4.5 ± 1.7 mg dl-1) were significantly varied (P < 0.05); while the levels of creatinine increased significantly beyond 1.5% ginger inclusion level. The inclusion of ginger at 1.5 – 3.0% levels had no adverse effects on the growth performance and blood constituents of cockerel chicks. The use of ginger for cockerel diet is therefore advocated.

1411 – 1413

Authors: ATE, Iyorhemba Utim, NENSHI, Mkaave Peter and ADEYEYE, Adewale Ayodeji

A case of diproposus in Bunaji calf which resulted in dystocia is reported. The calf was delivered dead following the salvage of a cow that failed to calve successfully. Alarmed by this double-headed calf, the butchers reported to the Divisional Veterinary Officer in charge of the Local Government. Each of the heads had a fully developed mouth to the level of the pharynx, eyes, nostrils, tongue, mandibles, maxilla, and pharynx and both were joined at the cranium. There was however one common trachea and oesophagus respectively. No gross disorders were found in other anatomical structures of the calf. Although no aetiologic factor was found to be responsible, incomplete twinning was considered to have been involved.