Animal Research International

2568 – 2575

Authors: UDEGBUNAM, Rita 1jeoma, OGBANYA, Kenneth Chiedozie, EWUNONU, Uzochi Ihuoma, UDEGBUNAM, Sunday Ositadimma, ONUBA, Austin Chukwudum, UGWU, Nnenna Ebere

This study was carried out to investigate the anaesthetic characteristics of propofol in rabbits with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Rabbits in two groups (B and C) were anaesthetized respectively with 10 mg/kg propofol intravenously (IV) on days 7 and 14 post unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Healthy rabbits in group A served as the control group and were anaesthetized with propofol (10 mg/kg, IV). Duration of anaesthesia obtained in the control group was significantly (p<0.05) shorter compared to anaesthetic duration of groups B and C. Time of recovery from anaesthesia in group A was significantly (p<0.05) faster compared to that obtained in group C. Quality of induction, recovery quality and depth of anaesthesia were noted to be good in the three groups of rabbits. Apnoea was observed more in diseased rabbits (groups B and C) compared to the healthy rabbits. Heart rate of rabbits in groups A and B increased but decreased in group C post propofol injection (PPI). Respiratory rates (RR) of rabbits in all the groups decreased PPI with the highest respiratory depression noted in group C. Haematocrit of all rabbits increased though not significantly (p>0.05) while white blood cell counts of rabbits decreased PPI. Total serum protein (TSP) and blood urea nitrogen levels of the three groups of rabbits increased PPI though not significantly (p>0.05). Serum potassium, chlorine and bicarbonate levels of rabbits in all the three study groups increased PPI. Propofol at the dose used in this study induced rapid induction and recovery from anaesthesia, adequate depth of anaesthesia with no untoward haematologic and serum biochemical effects in UUO rabbits. However it’s marked respiratory depressant effect and ability to increase serum potassium levels may preclude its use in advanced UUO.

2588 – 2597

Authors: AKPA, Gerald Nwachi, ABBAYA, Hassan Yohanna and SALEY, Mahaman Edouard

This study, comparative evaluation of sources of supply of edible meat from camel with cattle, sheep and goats in Sahel environment was conducted at Zinder Abattoir in Niger Republic. The factors considered were species, sex and age. Species significantly influenced (p˂0.01) the meat evaluation indices with camel being highest in most of the meat indices. Cattle yielded the highest head and skin weights. Goat yielded the highest dressing percentage. The sheep had no superiority in any index. The sex of the animal had no significant effect (p>0.05) on meat evaluation indices in camel and goats. It significantly affected (p<0.05; 0.01) the indices in cattle and sheep; except for hindquarter weights and edible offals in sheep (p>0.05). Age of the animals significantly (p<0.01) affected the meat evaluation indices in camel, cattle and sheep. It only significantly affected (p<0.05; 0.01) hindquarter weight, legs weight and edible offals in goats. The correlation observed among the meat evaluation indices showed some variable correlated relationship (p<0.05 – 0.01; r = 0.25 – 0.97 and r = 0.29 – 0.93) and (p> 0.05; r = -0.03 – 0.24 and r = 0.00 – 0.20). In conclusion, camel and ruminant meat productive performance can be assessed through their respective meat indices. Camels could serve as good sources of meat supply in the arid environment to supply the needed animal protein to the populace.

2604 – 2610

Authors: OMOBOWALE, Temidayo Olutayo, EMIKPE, Benjamin Obukowho, ALAKA, Olugbenga Olayinka and NOTTIDGE, Helen Oyebukol

This study describes some haematological changes and the multiple organ damage observed in Nigerian dogs that died of canine babesiosis. 17 infected dogs with babesiosis, diagnosed by the detection of parasites in Giemsa stained thin blood smears and another 17 apparently healthy large breeds of dogs presented at the University of Ibadan Veterinary Teaching Hospital were enrolled in this study. Infected dogs were further sub-divided into uncomplicated and complicated groups based on disease manifestations, while the full blood count and erythrocyte morphology were done using standard techniques. Tissue samples (brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, spleen and liver) were taken from five dogs that died of natural canine babesiosis and histopathological processed using standard techniques. Babesia negative dogs had a lower neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio when compared with Babesia positive dogs. Complicated groups had a higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. Anisocytosis was the commonest encountered morphological abnormality. All of the five dogs used for the histopathological study had multiple organ lesions that involved the lungs 3(60 %), kidney 2(40 %), heart 2(40 %), brain 1(20 %), spleen 2(40 %) and liver 5(100 %). In conclusion, this study showed that neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is a good diagnostic index to detect complications in babesiosis and also that multiple organ dysfunction is a major phenomenon in the pathophysiology of babesiosis in Nigerian dogs.

2619 – 2628

Authors: OKOSUN, Sylvester Esbame and EGUAOJE, Stanley Abiodun

A sixteen-week trial was conducted to assess the effect of replacing cassava grit supplemented with Moringa leaf meal (MLM) for maize on the performance of 120 “day old” Harco cockerel chickens. Four experimental cockerel starter and finisher diets were formulated with diet 1 formulated to contain 0 % cassava grit while diets 2, 3 and 4 were formulated to contain cassava grit at 33.3, 66.6 and 100 % replacement for maize with 5% of Moringa leaf meal inclusion in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Chicks were randomly assigned to the four treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Growth performance at the finisher phase revealed that average live weight was significantly (p<0.05) highest 2.17 kg/bird in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. Weekly weight gain was also significantly (p<0.05) highest 0.86kg/bird among birds placed on 66.6 % CGM. Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also significantly (p<0.05) affected by the treatment diets. The cost-benefit analysis at finisher phase cost of fed consume (N171.83/bird) was also highest in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. Cost of feed per kilogram weight gain has comparable values of (N93.67 and N93.21/bird) among birds fed diet 2 and 3. The total cost of production was the least (N640.74/bird) in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. Net profit (N859.26) was highest in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. From this study, it is concluded that cassava grit can replace maize up to 66.6 % inclusion level with 5 % moringa leafmeal supplement in cockerel diet for optimum performance as well as good economic returns.

2644 – 2651

Authors: UGOCHUKWU, Iniobong Chukwuebuka, ANEKE, Chioma Inyang, EZEASOR, Chukwunonso Kenechukwu, MSHEILA, Wayuta Philip, IDOKO, S. I., KWABUGGE, A. Y., SHOYINKA, Shodeinde Vincent Olu, CHINEME, Chijioke Nwankwo, CHAH, Kennedy Fionkfu and UGOCHUKWU, Emmanuel Ikenna

Pneumonia occurs in all ages of sheep and goats, in all breeds, in every country of the world causing heavy economic losses. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pneumonia and aerobic bacteria flora associated with it in small ruminants slaughtered at the Nsukka abattoir. Pneumonic lungs of small ruminants were examined for gross lesions. Lung samples were collected and processed using standard protocols for histopathological and bacteriological examinations. Lung samples from 342 goats and 40 sheep were examined. A total of 116(30.36 %) lungs had various types of pneumonia. Two major types of pneumonia were observed during the histopathological examination; bronchopneumonia 64(55.17 %) and interstitial pneumonia 52(44.82 %). Out of the 116 pneumonic lungs collected over a six months period, 98 were caprine lungs and 18 were ovine lungs. Aerobic bacteria isolated from the pneumonic lungs were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mannheimia haemolytica, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Pasteurella multocida respectively. There were no significant seasonal, species and breed associations (p>0.05) between pneumonic lesions observed and the associated aerobic bacteria.

2660 – 2665

Authors: GOSOMJI, Innocent Jonah, SALAMI, Sulaiman Olawoye, NZALAK, James Oliver, KAWU, Muhammed Umar, OKPE, Godwin Chidozie, GURUMYEN, Yilzem George, OMIRINDE, Jamiu Oyewole, DUNG, Edward Christopher and PLANG, Naanman James

The histogenesis of the stomach (proventriculus and ventriculus) of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) was studied using light microscopy and histochemical techniques. Fifteen (15) embryos were utilized for this study. The result showed that at the 10th and 13th days of embryonic development, the primordial proventriculus and ventriculus were lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium surrounded by mesenchyme connective tissue. On the 19th day of embryonic development, the epithelium of the proventriculus and ventriculus as well as the proventricular glands were lined by simple cuboidal epithelium. Tunics; tunica muscularis and serosa were evident at this stage. On the 23rd day of embryonic development, tubular glands of the ventriculus became canalized. The 27th day of embryonic development of the primordial proventriculus showed organized glandular lobules, central cavity and prominent muscle layer while the ventriculus showed the presence of cuticle, simple tubular glands, loose connective tissues of the lamina propria and muscle layer. This study has shown that the primordial stomach appeared to be completely differentiated to the definitive stomach by the 27th day with the potential of commencing a functional role.

2672 – 2675

Authors: ADEMOLA, Olaoluwa John, AGBOOLA, Ahmed Ayo and SALAUDEEEN, Muhammed Babatunde

Information on the karyotype of Amietophrynus regularis is scarce. 8 specimens of A. regularis were collected from Afon, Kwara State, Nigeria. The specimens were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 % colchicine and left for 5 hours before they were sacrificed. Chromosomes were prepared from the bone marrow of the femur. 80 metaphase spreads were scored and the diploid chromosome number ranged from 2n = 38 to 2n = 42. The modal number of the chromosome was found to be 2n = 40 with a percentage occurrence of 47.5 %.

2683 – 2690

Authors: JAFARGOLIPOUR, Mohammadali, VAHDATPOUR, Tohid, MAHMOODPOUR, Hamid and VAHDATPOUR, Sina

The study investigated the effects of two types of antioxidants, a natural antioxidant (Eselenium) and a synthetic antioxidant (loxidan) in diets containing protein values lower than essential requirements, on performance and histopathological changes in the liver and intestine of Japanese quails. The experimental diets were: Group A – basal diet (control), Group B – 15 % crude protein reduction without recommended antioxidant, Group C – 15 % crude protein reduction plus 1 g/kg E-selenium, Group D – 15 % reduction in crude protein plus 0.2 g/kg loxidan, Group E – 30 % reduction in crude protein without recommended antioxidant, Group F – 30 % reduction in crude protein plus 1 g/kg E-selenium. Group G - 30 % reduction in crude protein plus 0.2 g/kg loxidan.Birds in groups B and E showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in body weight compared to the control group. Birds fed E-selenium and loxidan exhibited significantly better (p<0.05) body weights compared to the birds in groups D and F groups. Birds in group E fed with a 30 % reduction in the dietary protein had significantly higher (p<0.05) liver weights. The relative weight of the intestine decreased in the birds in groups B and E compared to the control group. 15 and 30 % reduction in dietary protein intake of birds caused mild hyperemia and edema of the intestine. The severity of liver congestion and edema were lower in group E birds when compared with birds in group B. Results indicated that the use of two kinds of antioxidants (natural and synthetic) effect on the performance parameters of Japanese quails which were exposed to nutritional stresses (such as reducing dietary protein) compensated parts of the adverse effects. Therefore, antioxidants intake is useful for the recovery of quails performance fed low-protein diets.