Animal Research International

508 – 512

Authors: NDUKA, Florence Onyemachi., EGBU, Ada., OKAFOR, Chioma and NWAUGO, Victor Oluoha

A study of the prevalence of Malaria parasites in pregnant women attending pre - natal care in Government hospitals in two major towns (Aba and Okigwe) in Southeast Nigeria was carried out. Blood was collected by vein puncture from 500 pregnant women in different trimesters (300 from Aba and 200 from Okigwe) and 200 non - pregnant women, 100 from each town. Presence of Malaria parasite was observed microscopically on thin and thick blood smears prepared from each sample. Personal data were collected both orally and from maternity records of the women. The results were analysed statistically using the Chi - square test. Only the ring trophozoite and gametocyte forms of Plasmodium falciparum were observed in the infected samples. A total of 270 (54 %) pregnant women out of the 500 examined were infected with P. falciparum while 66(33 %) of the non - pregnant women sampled were infected. This represents a significant difference. Aba had 158 (52.6 %) out of the 300 pregnant women examined infected while Okigwe had 112(56 %) of the 200 pregnant women examined infected. There was no significant difference between the results obtained in the two towns. (P > 0.05). Peak prevalence was observed in the first trimester 64.1 % (100 out of 156) while 3rd trimester showed the lowest 45 % (68 of 150). Prevalence was also highest in primgraviidae and women in second pregnancy (67.96 %). Multiparous women (3rd pregnancy and above) had 39.31 % . Age was significant. Anaemia (Hb. < 11g/dl) was observed in 385 (77 % ) of the 500 pregnant women examined. Of the 270 infected women 254(94.07 %) were anaemic. Anaemia was significantly higher in women with higher parastemia (Z.cal. = 9.06). The implications of this result on the epidemiology of malaria are discussed.

516 – 520

Authors: NWAMBA, Helen Ogochukwu, MGBENKA, Bernard Obialo, UGWU, Lawrence Linus Chukwuma and CHIFOMMA, Agnes Nkechi

The effects of exposing Heterobranchus bidorsalis juveniles (14.08 ± 0.12 g) to different concentrations of Bonny-light crude oil (BLCO) on amylase and cretinine kinase activities were studied. The exposure of the fish to 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 ml L-1 BLCO and a control for 4 days toxicity period indicated that the significant increases (P < 0.01) in the serum amylase (SRA) and the hepatic cytosolic amylase (HCA) activities in the fish were BLCO concentrations dependent. Reduced SRA and HCA activities noticed within the first 14 days of the recovery period implied that the removal of the oil pollutant from the ambient water chemistry probably lowered the pressure on the blood serum and liver amylase enzyme to catalyse the metabolism of the ingested carbohydrates. Significant increases (P < 0.05) in the serum cretinine kinase (SRCK) and the hepatic cytosolic cretinine kinase (HCCK) activities in the fish also followed the pattern shown by the SRA and the HCA activities. The increased SRA, HCA, SRCK and HCCK activities in the blood serum and liver of the fish were indications of a shift in the carbohydrate metabolism due to crude oil exposure.

527 – 530

Authors: OCHIOGU, Izuchukwu Shedrack, UCHENDU, Chukwuka Nwocha and IHEDIOHA, John Ikechukwu

A new and simple method of detecting mated female albino rats was developed and tested for precision and accuracy. The method involved the gross observation of grey to yellowish protein coagulates (remnants of the copulatory plug) on vaginal smears of mated females made on clean glass slides. Results of test of the new method showed that the mean length of time between observation of the protein coagulates on vaginal smears and delivery of the mated pregnant females was 21.39  0.11 days (range = 20 – 23 days, n = 58), which concurred with the normal 21-day gestation length of rats. The coefficient of variation (CV) of imprecision of the new method was found to be 3.74 %. This new method is simple, easy to apply and does not interfere with fertilization and pregnancy, and also does not involve either the use of specially designed rat cages or microscopy of vaginal smears, which were the constraints of the former methods of confirming mating in rats.

534 – 539

Authors: ONYIDO Angus Ejidike, MAMAH Ngozika Juliana, IKPEZE Obiora Osegboka and ONONIWU Christian Ebele

Oral epidemiological assessment of dental disorders was carried out between April and July 2006 among the residents of Ugbo-Odogwu escarpment on Udi Hill near Enugu, Eastern Nigeria. Dental abrasions with prevalence rate of 37.3 %, attrition (31.3 %), calculus (87.5 %), caries (78.8 %), gingivitis (62.6 %), gum recession (53.8 %), halitosis (82.7 %), periodontitis (52.6 %), stains (78.6 %) and teeth erosions (24.8 %) were the specific dental disorders observed in the area. Every subject had one form or the other of these oral conditions occurring concomitantly. Gender and age specific prevalence of dental disorders as well as nutritional habits, suspected to play major roles in the initiation and development of dental disorders in the study population were discussed. The result of this study could be used to develop a Management Information System (MIS) for Dental Health Care in Nigeria. It may also stimulate further research interests in the relationships between dental disorders and the nutritional habits of other communities in the developing world.

545 – 548

Authors: UFELE, Angela Nwogor, MGBENKA, Bernard Obialo and UDE, Joan Frances

Trypanosomiasis is a disease of agricultural interest in livestock. The research was therefore aimed at finding out if adequate nutrition would ameliorate reproductive disorder in trypanosome-infected pregnant rats. Twenty female rats of 120 days old were used. They were kept 5 rats in each cage replicated three times. Four treatments diet each containing trypanotolerant; 80 mg of Vitamin E and 0.3 mg of selenium (additives) were used. In Treatment 1, trypanosome infected reproducing female rats were fed Diet 1 (Control) comprising chick mash mixed with the additives. In Treatment 2, the rats were fed Diet 2 comprising dietary protein and carbohydrate mixed with the additives. In Treatment 3, the rats were fed Diet 3 made up of dietary protein and the additives. In Treatment 4, the rats were fed Diet 4 made of dietary carbohydrate and the additives. The birth weight was measured and number of ratlets from each treatment was also counted to determine the effect of the diets on the birth. At the end of the experiment, it was observed that trypanosome-infected pregnant rats fed Diet 2 (with adequate concentrations of carbohydrate and protein) significantly (P < 0.05) had higher birth weight of offspring and multiple births than the rats fed with other treatments diets indicating that adequate nutrition promoted reproduction in trypanosome-infected rats.

553 – 561

Authors: IBEMENUGA, Keziah Nwamaka and INYANG, Nicholas

Macroinvertebrate fauna of Ogbei stream in Anambra state, Nigeria was studied from monthly samples taken from six stations or sites with a benthic scoop net and a serrated cylindrical sampler (SCS) for 12 months (May, 2002 – April, 2003). A total of 11420 macroinvertebrates were collected belonging to 4 classes, 13 orders, 28 families and 50 species. The fauna was dominated numerically by Insecta (98.29 %), Arachnida (0.81%) and Oligochaeta (0.66%). Diptera was the most abundant taxon (42.62%), followed by Odonata (36.89%), Coleoptera (9.76 %) and Hemiptera (8.22 %). Station 3 had the highest percentage of abundance of the macrofauna (28.56 %) followed by station 2 (19.54 %). The highest faunal diversity was recorded in station 6. The macroinvertebrate composition, distribution abundance and diversity were influenced by substrate composition, good water quality and availability of food.

566 – 569

Authors: SAGANUWAN, Alhaji Saganuwan and GULUMBE, Mohammed Lawal

The research was carried out to evaluate the in-vitro antimicrobial activity and phytochemical constituents of Cassia occidentialis. Cassia leaves were collected from Kacha town in Niger State and extracted using methanol, hexane, chloroform and water extraction methods. Serial concentrations: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 % methanol, hexane, chloroform and aqueous extracts were prepared and sterilized. The bacterial isolates used; E. coli, P. multocida, S. typhi, S. typhimurium, S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae and K. pneumoniae were authenticated using biochemical and serological methods. The suspension (0.5) of each bacterial isolate was prepared in isotonic sodium chloride. The disc agar diffusion method was performed on 70 Mueller-Hinton agar plates, 10 per microorganism , using serial diffusion concentration: 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000 mg of hexane, methanol, chloroform and water. The results showed that all the extracts of Cassia occidentalis have antimicrobial activity on E. coli at concentrations between 900 – 1000 mg. E. coli was most susceptible to hexane extract at concentration ranges between 500 – 1000 mg, there was no antimicrobial activity exhibited against the other tested microorganisms. Phytochemical analyses showed the presence of alkaloid, tannin, saponin, glycoside and flavonoid, steroid was absent.

573 – 580

Authors: EKPENYONG, Ekaette Asuquo and EYO, Joseph Effiong

Plasmodium infection in man is caused by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. This results in the disease, malaria. Malaria has serious debilitating effects on man. It adversely affects man’s health, strength and productivity. Here, a review of Plasmodium infection in man including the life cycle, transmission, immunity, symptoms, diagnosis, pathology, prevention, control and treatment is given. Only by knowing about Plasmodium infection, the burden of infection on man and the prevention and control options can we understand the disease better and so be better prepare for the future management of this disease.

448 – 450

Authors: EKWUNIFE, Chinyelu Angela and ENEANYA, Christine Ifeoma

The presence of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in Onitsha abattoir and three other abattoirs in Onitsha area of Anambra State, Nigeria was investigated from November to December 2004. The study involved actual postmortem inspection on the slaughtered cattle. The liver were examined for Fasciola by making length wise incision on the ventral side of the liver in such a way that the bile duct and gall bladder are cut open. All cases of Fasciola were detected from the liver. Afor-Igwe abattoir recorded the prevalence rate of 10.8% while the prevalence rates of 7.0%, 7.7% and 13.4% were recorded at Nkwor-Ogidi abattoir, Oye Olisa abattoir and Onitsha main market abattoir respectively. Out of a total of 1580 cattle examined, 166(10.51%) were infected with F. gigantica. Of the 166 diseased liver, 26(15.7%) had light worm load, 77(46.4%) medium worm load and 63(38%) had heavy worm load. The lowest number of worm recovered per liver was 3 while the highest was 88. This study has established the presence of F. gigantica in Onitsha Area. It was also observed that most diseased liver were not condemned. This situation calls for serious attention of the veterinary workers in the state. In view of the fact that these cattle which were brought from the Northern part of Nigeria were made to trek to places of pasture (near streams and rivers) within Onitsha area where the snail intermediate host of the parasite thrives, it is suggested that grazing of cattle should be highly restricted to lesser snail infected areas. The range land system (Artificial pasture land) seems to be the panacea to fascioliasis in cattle.

457 – 460

Authors: SAGANUWAN, Alhaji Saganuwan

Haematological and biochemical effects of sulphadimidine were studied in Nigerian mongrel dogs. Five Nigerian mongrel dogs of either sex weighing between 7 and 12 kg were used for the study. The pretreatment blood and serum samples were collected and the weight of animals taken before the administration of 100 mg/kg body weight for a period of 7 days. The animals were weighed daily. The results showed that there was no significant difference between preadministration and post administration weights (P>0.05) of dogs. Packed cell volume decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with duration sampled dogs. Liver function test revealed significant decrease (P < 0.05) of total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase. Other indices of liver function and electrolytes indices were normal (P > 0.05). The mean weight gain (8.8 ± 2.04 kga) of the animals before sulphadimidine administration was comparable with the weight gain (8.77 ± 0.89 kgb) of animals after the sulphadimidine administration. Sulphadimidine caused anaemia of moderate value (26.4 ±3.36%a) in the treated samples as compared to pretreated samples (46.4±6.27b). Total bilirubin (12.32 ±1.4 µmola) in pretreatment samples was decreased in comparison with treated (18.5 ±2.0 αmol/lb) samples. Alkaline phosphatase was decreased in preadministration samples (114.2 ±5.7µg/lb) as compared to post administration samples (130 ±9.61 µmol/la). Therefore longtime administration of sulphadimidine in anaemic mongrel dogs may aggravate anaemic condition. Sulphadimidine may increase renal excretion of bilirubin and decrease bone mineralization in mongrel dogs during bone formation.

466 – 472

Authors: UGWU, Lawrence Linus Chukwuma, MGBENKA, Bernard Obialo, ENEJE, Lawrence Odo, UDE, Emmanuel Fame and NWENYA, Jeremiah Igwe

Studies were carried out on the toxicity, growth and survival of Clarias gariepinus juveniles exposed to different concentrations of oil-polluted water. Thirty-nine aerated aquaria (60 × 30 × 30 cm3), arranged in a 4 × 3 Complete Randomized Block Design were used for the study. Three oil types: the Bonny light crude oil (BLCO), the premium motor spirit (PMS) and kerosene (DPK) at oil concentrations of 1.00, 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50 ml L-1 were used in triplicates of 5 ml to contaminate 15 L of dechlorinated tap water and 20 fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus (22 ± 0.24 g) exposed to it. A control treatment (0.00 ml L-1) of non-oil contamination was also used in triplicates. A 96-hour toxicity phase in the oil-polluted water preceded a 42 days recovery phase. 38% crude protein diet was fed to fish during exposure and recovery phases at 3% and 5% body weight per day, respectively. Water temperature, pH, fish mortality and normalized biomass index (NBI) of each aquarium were monitored. The total organic nitrogen, soluble organic nitrogen and colloidal organic nitrogen in addition to soluble and adsorbed ammonia in the aquaria water and sediments were analyzed using standard methods. Results showed that the water temperature was 26 ± 2.04° C, pH was 6.50 ± 0.30 and fortnightly feed intake of fish increased between days 14 and 42. This increase, which corresponded with the increase in the fortnightly weight gain, could be attributed to the reduction of stress caused during the 96-h toxicity phase. The increase in the soluble ammonium and the exchangeable ammonium concentrations of water correlated with the increase in the concentrations (1.50 – 2.50 ml L-1) of BLCO, PMS and DPK. Percent mortality of fish reduced between days 14 and 42 irrespective of oil treatment while fish exposed to the control treatment had lower percent mortality than those exposed to the oil treatments. This trend was corroborated by the relatively higher NBI for the control during the exposure (-0.02) and recovery {0.08 (14 days), 0.08 (38 days) and 0.21 (42 days)} periods than those of oil treatments (-49.64 to -0.10).

478 – 480

Authors: FAPOHUNDA, Olawumi Oluwafunmilola and OGUNKOYA, Mary

The proximate composition of fresh, smoked and deteriorated fish samples (Tilapia zilli, Parachanna obscura and Clarias gariepinus) were determined using standard methods of analyses. It was revealed that Tilapia zilli contained; moisture 4.11 - 67.33 %, protein 20.10 – 65.90 %, ash 3.41 – 14.64 %, fat 4.44 – 7.73 % and carbohydrate 4.72 – 11.89 %, Parachanna obscura had moisture 6.47 - 68.61%, protein 18.23 – 64.67%, ash 2.68 – 13.20 %, fat 3.55 – 8.87 % and carbohydrate 6.79 – 10.25 %, while Clarias gariepinus produced moisture 4.61- 56.99%, protein 17.21 – 68.05%, ash 4.82 – 15.32 %, fat 4.79 – 8.19% and carbohydrate 1.92 – 17.35%. It was observed that smoke drying methods increased the protein, ash and fat contents of the samples. The low fat content observed for the deteriorating sample might be due to rancidity with the resultant rancid odour.

485 – 488

Authors: OKOYE, Ikem Chris and SAMBA, Scholastica Atteh

The rates of infection of various hepatitis B virus serological markers were measured on the basis of age, sex and socio-economic activities amongst the community population of Mubi, a known border community in North-Eastern Nigeria. Sera of 992 subjects consisting of 613 males and 379 females were analysed by radioimmunoassay. The overall HBV exposure among the subjects surveyed was 40.3 %. The rate of HBsAg infection was 9.0 %; 19.0 % for anti-HBs and 12.2 % for anti-HBc. The occurrence of HBV markers by age of the subjects showed that infants less than 1 year old had the highest HBV exposure rate of 43.9%; the rate declined at the 1-10 years age group and increased steadily thereafter with age until the > 51 years age bracket. The incidence of the HBV markers by sex of subjects showed that infection rates were higher in males (43.4%) than in females (35.4%). The rate of HBs infection rose progressively with age and significantly higher (p<0.01) in males (20.1%) than in females (17.2 %). The infection rate of HBc did not correlate with increase in age and significantly higher (P < 0.01) in males (13.2 %) than in females (10.8%). The distribution of the HBV markers was associated with differences in socio-cultural environment and practices (Fig. 2); thus, prison inmates who constituted the bulk of commercial blood donors had the highest rate of infection (28.5 %), followed by traders/artisans (21.0%) and students/pupils (18.0%). This study suggests vertical (maternal to infant) and horizontal transmission early in life in the spread of HBV markers in Mubi area and recommends passive active HB immunization (anti-HB vaccine), personal and urban hygiene and that testing for HBsAg by the most sensitive methods should be required for all blood donors. HBsAg-carriers and People who are known to have the infection or to be at high risk e.g. prostitutes, prisoners, etc should be discouraged from donating blood.

494 – 504

Authors: UBACHUKWU, Patience Obiageli

The socio-economic impact of onchocerciasis (river blindness) on humans is reviewed with special reference to females and children. The results of many studies reveal that onchocerciasis is usually a serious threat to public health and an impediment to socio-economic development in areas with high intensity and high endemicity of the disease. In such places, blindness and serious visual impairment are common, and mortality among the blind may be four times as high as among non-blind persons of the same age in the same community. As a result of debilitation and blindness, the infected person is unable to maintain for long any type of productive activity. Inhabitants of fertile river valleys move to the less fertile upland country. Many young men migrate to urban areas, reducing the productivity of the community and disrupting family life. Employees classified as having a severe Onchocercal Skin Disease (OSD) earned 15 % less in daily wages than those not infected. People with Onchocercal Skin Disease are stigmatized in their communities. OSD limits the range of social involvement and can affect sexual life of affected individuals. With reference to women and children, young females with OSD suffer stigmatization more than young men. This affects their age of marriage and the kind of partners they marry, limiting them to already married men, divorced men, elderly men, childless men, etc. Severe itching that often accompanies OSD may reduce the period lactating mothers breastfeed their babies. Children, particularly females, from households headed by individuals with onchocerciasis, especially blindness and OSD are more at risk of being school dropouts. Academic performance of school children with visual impairment is adversely affected. To reduce these effects, there is need for intense public enlightenment to augment the efforts of World Health Organization (WHO) in combating the disease using mass treatment with ivermectin (Mectizan).

403 – 406

Authors: UMAR, Abba, KELA, Santa Larit and OGIDI, Jonathan Asadabe

Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the pupicidal activity of neem (Azadirachta indica) seed kernel extracts (NSKE) on Aedes aegypti. The neem seed kernel powder was sequentially extracted with hexane, benzene, ethyl acetate, acetone, DMSO, 2-propanol, ethanol, methanol and distilled water. Ten concentrations (0.0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 50, 10.0,15.0 and 20.0%) of the neem extracts were used for the bioassays. Each treatment was replicated five times. Twenty-laboratory strains of Aedes aegypti pupae were exposed to each concentration Pupae were not fed during the exposure periods. Pupal mortality was assessed after 1 and 24 hours of exposure. The results of the effects of 1h exposure indicated decreased pupicidal mortality with decreasing extracts toxicity thus: ethyl acetate (LC 50 = 0.06%) > acetone > (LC50 = 0.29%) > benzene (LC50 = 0.82%) > hexane (LC50 = 3.13%) and propanol (LC50 = 763%). No pupal mortality was observed with extracts from Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, methanol and distilled water. The results of the effect of extract for 24h exposure indicated pupicidal mortality in2-propanol (LC50 = 0.67%) and ethanol (LC50 = 1.70%). No pupcida mortality was observed with hexane, benzene, ethyl acetate, acetone, Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), methanol and distilled water extracts. The ability of some neem extracts to kill Aedes pupae at relatively low concentrations presents an alternative to the use of synthetic pesticides for the control of mosquitoes. This technique is environmentally friendly, biodegradable, less expensive, and locally available in mosquito endemic areas. Potentials for adoption in mosquito management programmes cannot be overemphasized.