Animal Research International

3418 – 3426

Authors: NWANKWO, Innocent Okwundu, ONUNKWO, Joseph Ikechukwu and ONYEMA, Chinedu Victor

Fasciolosis and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBP) are characterized by gross pathognomonic lesions in organ/offal of slaughtered cattle which result in condemnation of unsafe meat. Both are the major causes of bovine organ/offal condemnation in Nigeria. Postmortem detection with focus on Fasciola and CBP infections were made in cattle slaughtered at Ikpa market abattoir, Nsukka between May – July 2018. In addition, the economic losses associated with the disease conditions were assessed. Out of 474 cattle examined, 114(24 %) and 200(42.2 %), had gross lesions of fasciolosis and CBP respectively, while 66(13.9 %) were positive for the both conditions. Both lesions were observed in the three breeds of slaughtered cattle (White Fulani, Sokoto gudali and Ndama) irrespective of sex and age. The disease lesions were not significantly associated (p<0.05) with sex, age and breed of cattle. However, there was a significant relationship (p>0.05) between the prevalence of CBP and fasciolosis lesions in the slaughtered cattle. The economic loss due to condemnation of affected organs was estimated at N 1, 716,900.00 (US$ 4,769) in 24 days, approximately equivalent to N 71, 537.50 (US$ 198.8) on daily basis. The findings have revealed the high level of organ damages and financial losses due to fasciolosis and CBP in the study area. This portends dangers not limited to livestock production and the economy, but zoonosis and other public health issues. Public awareness campaign, appropriate surveillance and disease control programmes should be implemented in addition to adequate meat inspection and compensation for farmers.

3434 – 3442

Authors: ABONYI, Festus Otaka, OFORAH, Chukwudumeje Ivan, DURUIKE, Onyekachi Henry and ODO, Rita Ifeoma

This study investigated the effects of dietary Allium sativum powder (ASP) on growth performance, haematology, carcass quality, serum biochemistry, and lipid profile of broilers. Before use, the ASP was phytochemically analyzed. 108 four-week old broilers were randomly assigned to four treatments (A, B, C and D) with three replicates of nine birds. They were fed for four weeks with broiler finisher diet supplemented with ASP at 0.00 (A, control), 20.00 (B), 30.00 (C) and (D) 40.00 g/kg. Weekly feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, haematology, serum biochemistry and lipid profile were determined. At week four, two birds from each replicate were randomly selected, humanely sacrificed and used to determine carcass quality. Ethanolic extract of ASP contained saponins, tannins, steroids and terpenoids. ASP supplemented groups consumed significantly more (p<0.05) feed on week three, had higher final body weight and recorded lower mortality. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly lower (p<0.05) in birds fed 20 g/kg/d than other ASP fed birds. The consumption of ASP had no significant effect (p>05) on cholesterol; high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and organ weights of broilers. White blood cell count was significantly higher (p<0.05) in birds fed 20.00 and 40.00 g/kg ASP. Red blood cell, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein and albumin contents of the broilers were increased by the additive.

3450 – 3462

Authors: GHERISSI, Djallel Eddine, BOUZEBDA, Zoubir, BOUZEBDA AFRI, Farida, LAMRAOUI, Ramzi and CHACHA, Faycel

The present study was carried out to highlight the prevalence and the incidence of the genital tract abnormalities in Sahraoui female camels at south-east Algeria. One hundred and sixty five (165) animals were examined at El Oued abattoir before and after slaughter from February 2013 to August 2014. The prevalence of female camels with genital tract pathologies was 20.0 %. The total number of identified genital tract pathologies was 41, representing an incidence of 124.2 %. These pathological conditions were ranked in descending order of incidence: ovarian disorders (48.8 %), uterine pathologies (21.1 %), ovarian bursal pathologies (18.2 %) oviducts affections (18.2 %), adhesions (15.2 %) and pathology of the cervix (3.0 %). The prevalence of dominant pathologies was 7.9 % for ovarian cysts, 3.6 % for oviduct lesions, 2.4 % for infundibular cyst, 1.8 % for chronic endometritis and 1.8 % for tubo-ovarian adhesion. This study is the first report of uterine agenesis in camel from Algeria. The number of female camels with multiple pathologies (two or three pathologies) was 6, representing prevalence of 3.6 %. Higher prevalence of female camels with genital disorders was recorded in >10 years old, high BCS and during the dry season. However, a nonsignificant chi-square dependence test (p>0.05) was observed for the risk factors. In conclusion, the ovarian, uterine, and bursal pathologies were most commonly recorded in the genital tracts of the female camels from south east, Algeria. Their contribution in the reduction of fertility and fecundity of local herds needs further investigation.

3478 – 3483

Authors: OLATUNJI-AKIOYE, Adenike Olusola, OLAWOYIN, Christiana Mayokun and OYEYEMI, Matthew Olugbenga

Gastric Foreign Body (GFB) in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats increased in cases presented to Ruminant section of a tertiary Veterinary institution. This study evaluates incidence and effects of surgical removal of GFB in WAD goats. Ambulatory cases during the dry season, cases presented to the Ruminant section and WAD goats acquired for this study were evaluated. GFB in the study goats were removed surgically and blood collected for both haematology and biochemistry weekly for three weeks after. Prevalence in ambulatory cases (n=809) was 43%, in cases presented to the clinic (n=70), 73% and the nineteen goats purchased for the study had nylon GFB (100%). The study revealed a significant neutrophilia following removal of nylon GFB. The blood biochemistry also revealed significant difference (p<0.05) in AST between the second and pre-surgical treatment, one and third week values. Protein values were also significantly different (p<0.05) in the first week to other values. These suggest that removal of nylon GFB causes significant changes in blood and biochemistry postoperatively. Thus removal of GFB in WAD goats requires post-operative nursing care. Enforcement of legislation to discourage littering with nylon and feed supplementation during scarcity of forage may reduce incidence of GFB in WAD goats.

3494 – 3502

Authors: IJIOMA, Solomon, OSIM, Eme, NWANKWO, Azubike, KANU, Kingsley, ORIEKE, Daniel and EZIKE, Johnson

The antimotility effect of Ajumbise polyherbal extract (APE) and its composite plants were evaluated in-vitro and in-vivo. In the in-vitro study, about 2 – 3 cm of a rabbit jejunum mounted in a 30 ml organ bath containing tyrode solution and bubbled with air was set up before the applications of graded doses of acetylcholine and extracts. In the in-vivo study, 16 groups of 5 rats each were pretreated with the extracts and atropine followed by charcoal meal after 30 minutes before being sacrificed 30 minutes later and opened up to assess gastrointestinal transit of the administered charcoal meal. Application of acetylcholine caused a dose dependent increase in the amplitude of contraction when compared with basal value (p<0.05), while APE on the same isolated tissue was inhibitory with each dose significantly lowering basal amplitudes of contraction (p<0.05). Extracts of the various plants constituents of Ajumbise also produced varying degrees of inhibitory activities (p<0.05) with Ceiba pentandra, Napoleona vogelii, Spondias mombin and Euphorbia convolvuloides producing high but short lived inhibitory activities while Uvaria chamae and Barteria fistulosa produced low effects. Results of the in-vivo study agreed completely with that of the in-vitro evaluation, as APE and extracts from the different plants constituents in the polyherbal significantly inhibited gastrointestinal motility and transit time in all treated rats when compared with control (p<0.05) but lower than that of atropine. Ajumbise polyherbal and its components inhibit normal peristaltic movement of the gastrointestinal tract and as such may be potential anti- diarrheal agents.

3508 – 3518

Authors: IDOWU, Emmanuel Taiwo, FAGBOHUN, Ifeoluwa Kayode, SANYAOLU, Omotayo Lukmon, OGUNTUYI, Karen Ololade and OTUBANJO, Olubunmi Adetoro

An epidemiological investigation was carried out between February to July 2017 to investigate the prevalence of soil transmitted helminths (STHs) among primary school children aged 7 – 14 years in Lagos Island and Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGAs of Lagos State. The pupils were screened parasitologically for STHs, anthropometric data which includes the height (cm) and weight (kg) of each pupil were recorded using height scale and weighing balance respectively. Furthermore, questionnaires which probed into their knowledge of cause, symptoms, predisposing factors to infection, level of hygiene and sanitation of each respondent were administered. The parasitological examination of the 413 stool samples collected showed that 132(32%) were positive for STHs. The three STHs recorded were: Ascaris lumbricoides (50%), Trichuris trichiura (23%) and hookworm (3%). Co-infections prevalence of A. lumbricoides with T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides with hookworm were 23% and 1% respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of STHs among males and females, the prevalence between the two LGAs was significantly different (p<0.05). Prevalence of underweight, stunting and wasting were 10, 24.2 and 19.4% respectively. Majority of sampled children indicated washing their hands before food (98.1%), washing of fruits before eating (70.8%), washing of hands after toilet (98.6%), but only 25% of them actually wash their hands properly with soap. The high prevalence and impact of STH infections among school children can be attributed to poor hygienic condition and low socio-economic status of residents in the study area. Education on proper hygiene habits and regular deworming exercise is recommended.

3529 – 3535

Authors: OPOKU-AGYEMANG, Tony, OPPONG, Charlotte, ASAMOAH SAKYI, Samuel, AMEMOR, Esther, SIA, Daniel Dakolgo and EMIKPE, Benjamin Obukowho

This study was conducted using sixty (60) clinically healthy dogs from different districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana., Haematological parameters reference ranges was established and the influence of sex, breed and age on haematological indices of dogs in the Ashanti, Ghana was equally studied. Blood samples were collected from the dogs and analysed using a Mindray 5 parts automated haematologic analyser. Data obtained were compiled in Excel 2013 and analysed using Graphpad Prism 6. Results of the current study showed significant variations (p<0.05) in some indices from established haematological indices. A higher mean lymphocyte count was recorded. The mean MCV values obtained in this study were notably towards the upper limit of the accepted ranges; whilst the mean MCHC recorded was lower than documented norm. The study recorded significant (p<0.05) sex related differences in RDW, MCHC, MCV and RBC; as well as breed related variations in platelet counts. Results of the current study will provide baseline reference data for haematological tests of dogs and could be very useful in veterinary clinical practice, especially in precise diagnosis of canine problems requiring haematology, in the sub region.