Animal Research International

2898 – 2905

Authors: JIMOH, Olatunji Abubakar, ADENEKAN, Olusola Olabisi, JACK, Akaninyene Asuquo, UWAEZIOZI, Uchechi Carols and IHEJIRIKA, Uchechi Daureen Gift

In a study to evaluate variations in physiological indices of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams and bucks, 16 healthy WAD rams and bucks each age range between 8- 12 months were selected from a flock managed in a semi-intensive system. The average body weight of 12.76 ± 4.09 kg and 12.08 ± 3.26 rams and bucks, respectively. Fastened blood samples were collected from all animals into plain and heparinised bottles for haematology and serum separation, respectively. Serum was obtained using standard procedures and assayed for serum biochemical, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant activity, catalase and superoxide dismutase using standard procedures, data obtained were subjected to T-test. The result revealed that haematological parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different between both rams and bucks. The value for glucose (6.68 ± 3.56 vs 1.72 ± 0.76 mmol/L), total protein (92.49 ± 16.99 vs 19.19 ± 8.27 g/L), albumin (13.41 ± 5.25 vs 2.58 ± 0.29 g/dL) and high density lipoprotein (10.28 ± 3.43 vs 1.66 ± 0.26 mmol/L) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in rams compared to bucks.Total antioxidant activity (127.35±36.37 vs 13.04 ± 3.06 mmol/litre), catalase (199.77 ± 130.23 vs 57.93 ± 12.05 moles of H2O2 consumed/min/mg protein) and superoxide dismutase (0.65 ± 0.33 vs 0.49 ± 0.08 U/min/mg protein) were statistically (p<0.05) higher in rams than in bucks. In conclusion, rams had higher glucose, protein, albumin, and high-density lipoprotein. Rams had superior antioxidant defence over bucks and thus had lower susceptibility to oxidative stress compared to bucks.

2918 – 2925

Authors: AJAO, Adeyemi Mufutau, OLADIMEJI, Yusuf Usman, OLADIPO, Segun Olayinka and ADEPOJU, Suraju Adeshina

This study was designed to investigate Macrotermes bellicosus, nesting mounds, abundance and activity in the savannah ecological zone of Kwara State, North-Central, Nigeria. The research was conducted at four randomly selected villages around and including Kwara State University. A systematic survey of visible mounds of M. bellicosus was carried out over the entire study area. Also, the heights of mounds were measured using a measuring tape. M. bellicosus collection was conducted using baited traps consisting of cardboard, toilet tissue, wooden stakes and wood shaving. These were embedded or placed on the ground within plots at a regular distance of 10 m and checked twice weekly. The samples collected per baited trap per plot per location were preserved in 90 % ethanol and identified. Similarly, a survey of physically damaged items was conducted and recorded to observe termite activity. The result from the four different locations of the study showed that the number of M. bellicosus mounds in urban areas was the highest in urban sites (74.33 ± 5.93) and was significant when compared to the other locations. Farmland had the tallest M. bellicosus mound (17.3 cm) followed by an uncultivated land mass (15 cm), while the least mean height (12 cm) was encountered in the urban area. The abundance and distribution of the M. bellicosus showed no significant difference when comparing the study locations except in urban sites. Proper precautions on the protection of the building and barns are recommended.

2937 – 2943

Authors: ATTOH-KOTOKU, Victoria, EMIKPE, Benjamin Obukowho, OBUADEY, Douglas, ISHOLA, Olayinka, OSAFO, Emmanuel Kwesi, DONKOH, Ambrose and FOLITSE, Raphael

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a five-year retrospective (January 2009 – December 2013) meat inspection record as well as active daily records (November 2013 to February 2014) from Kumasi abattoir, Ghana to determine the pattern and direct financial implications of contagious pleuropneumonia in slaughtered cattle. The influence of age, sex and breed of animals on pneumonia was investigated. The degree of pneumonia as a percentage of the total lung infected was being determined using standard techniques. Retrospective data of 445,671 cattle between January 2009 and December 2013 showed 0.17 % prevalence with the year 2009 having the highest prevalence. In the active surveillance, macroscopic examination of 1500 slaughtered cattle comprising Zebu 510 (34 %), Sanga 270(18 %), N’dama 225(15 %), West African Short Horn (WASH) 315(21 %), and White Fulani 180 (12 %) respectively revealed 36(2.4 %) cattle with contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, out of which 26(72.2 %) lungs were totally condemned and the remaining 10(27.8 %) were partially condemned. Animals within the ages 3 – 6 years (97.2 %), cows and WASH were observed to be more susceptible. The direct financial loss due to partial or whole lung condemnation was GH¢ 1,847.88 ($560) for the 1,500 cattle slaughtered during the active abattoir survey. consequently, the overall direct financial loss during the five years was estimated to be GH¢ 39,705.09 ($12031.85). This reaffirms CBPP has one of the disease conditions that cause significant economic loss in cattle production in Ghana with sex, breed and age influencing prevalence and pattern of pneumonia on slaughtered cattle.

2950 – 2964

Authors: OLORUNTOLA, Olugbenga David

The effect of increasing the optimum replacement level of maize with rumen liquor fermented cassava peels (RLFCP) with enzyme (E) supplementation in rabbit diets was evaluated in a 56-day feeding trial using a 2 x 3 factorial experimental design. The E supplementation significantly increased (p<0.05) final live weight (FLW) and total weight gain (TWG), while the RLFCP inclusion (0 – 100 %) led to a significant decrease (p>0.05) in the rabbit FLW, TWG and feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, RLFCP inclusion at various levels significantly increased (p<0.05) the daily feed intake (DFI). The slaughtered weight, skin, head and limb, kidneys, gall bladder and gastrointestinal tract were significantly affected (p<0.05) by dietary RLFCP levels. RLFCP inclusion significantly increased (p<0.05) packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell volume (MCV) and lymphocyte (LYM) levels. Enzyme x RLFCP was significant increased (p<0.05) the number of red blood cells. Equally, the concentrations of albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, amylase and glucose were significantly affected (p<0.001) by the level of RLFCP in the diets such that replacement level of maize for RLFCP lead to an increase in albumin and glucose, alkaline phosphate, while the effect of the replacement levels did not follow a particular trend for amylase and glucose. The addition of multi-enzyme at 0.35 g/kg level led to improvement in weight gain of the rabbits.

2971 – 2978

Authors: OPUBA, Sinkopere Kenneth, ADETIMEHIN, Adeyemi Daniel, ILOBA, Beatrice Ngozi and UYI, Osariyekemwen Osa

This study investigated the insecticidal and anti-ovipositional activities of the leaf powder of J. curcas against the cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. Five pairs of sexed freshly emerged adults of C. maculatus were exposed to cowpea grains (20 g) treated with different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g) of the leaf powder of J. curcas for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours after which percentage mortality was calculated. In the same experimental setup, anti-ovipositional activity of the leaf powder of J. curcas was determined by counting the number of eggs on each cowpea grain after 120 hours of mating and oviposition by C. maculatus. Mortality of C. maculatus caused by the leaf powder of J. curcas was high and observed to be independent of the concentrations used, but dependent on the duration of exposure. At all concentrations (excluding the control – 0.0 g), the leaf powder of J. curcas demonstrated significant insecticidal activities (94 – 98 %) against C. maculatus following a 120 hour exposure period. At the lowest concentration (1.0 g), the leaf powder of J. curcas reduced oviposition rate in C. maculatus by 81.04 % after 120 hours of mating and oviposition. In summary, this study suggests the use of the leaf powder of J. curcas as an attractive alternative to conventional insecticides in the control of C. maculatus infestation in Nigeria and elsewhere.