Animal Research International

3055 – 3064an

Authors: UGWU, Francis Stephen Ogbonna and ONWUZURIKE, Janet Chibuzo

Control of Anopheles vector is effective in halting malaria. Entrapping them by deceit with semiochemicals they must respond to could be a sustainable control approach but poverty and other impediments prevent the use of such luring strategy in Sub Saharan Africa. Elaeis guineensis could be an alternative accessible and cheap unexplored source of semiochemicals for mosquitoes control. We evaluated the response of Anopheles mosquitoes to categories of palm wine. Anopheles larvae were selected from mosquito juveniles collected from egbaite. At emergence, female mosquitoes were subjected to a 2-way olfactometer to evaluate their responses to odours from 4 categories of palm wines. Fresh up-palm wine attracted 50.00 ± 5.77% of mosquitoes, its sub-category, ebacha up-wine, attracted 45 %. Fresh down-wine attracted 70 % of vectors as against 68.33 % of ebacha down-wine. The foregoing categories compared to the control attracted significantly more mosquitoes (respectively, p = 0.007; p = 0.005; p = 0.002; p = 0.001). Comparison of fresh up-wine with fresh down wine showed that significantly more mosquitoes visited down-wine (t = - 5.060, p = 0.007). Ebacha up-wine and ebacha down-wine comparison revealed that significantly more mosquitoes visited ebacha down-wine (t = - 4.950, p = 0.008). The preference indices calculated for the 4 categories of palm wine ranged from 57.27 ± 14.90 to 85.98 ± 7.73. Palm wines are attractive to Anopheles mosquitoes. Down-wine was a more effective attractant. Up wine lost its activity faster than down-wine. Palm wines could sustainably be employed in malaria vector control programmes.

3070 – 3081

Authors: KHONDOWE, Paul, MUTAYOBA, Benezeth, MUHAIRWA, Amandus and PHIRI, Elliot

A study comparing the effects of low energy diets on liver HSP70 and iNOS gene expressions and blood indices of three Tanzanian chicken ecotypes was conducted. Four weeks old hens belonging to Kuchi (KU), Ching’wekwe (CH) and Morogoro medium (MM) ecotypes were allocated to 9 pens in a 3 x 3 factorial design, with three replicates. They were fed 3 diets containing 40, 55 and 0% less energy than prescribed. Only KU 55% restriction groups had marked up-regulation (p<0.05) of HSP70 after 3 weeks. After 7 weeks, expression levels of HSP70 for KU and CH 55% restriction groups increased, while those for MM restriction groups remained unaltered. The iNOS levels were notably up-regulated for KU and CH 55% restriction groups after 3 and 7 weeks, respectively. Significant elevations (p<0.05) of serum corticosterone were only noted for KU restriction groups after 1 and 3 weeks. Serum uric acid was significantly increased (p<0.05) in all ecotypes and groups but triglycerides were markedly reduced as determined after 1, 3 and 7 weeks. There were no significant differences between controls and restricted groups in Hb and Hct levels except for the CH ecotype, which showed lower (p<0.05) Hb and Hct levels after 5 and 7 weeks for both restricted groups. Results of this study show that low energy diets induced stress in chickens, and ecotype-specific tolerance was manifested through changes in liver HSP70, iNOS and blood parameters, with MM showing better tolerance at lowest energy levels and KU being least tolerant.

3090 – 3100

Authors: ADEROLU, Ademola Zaid, LAWAL, Muyideen Owonire, AWOBAJO, Funmileyi Olubajo, OLANIYAN, Stephen and BELLO, Yetunde

This study investigated the optimum dietary energy requirement of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus juveniles fed 35 % crude protein level and the effects on growth, nutrient performance, haematology and biochemical indices. The control diet A had 2800 kcal while, treatments B, C, D and E had 3000, 3200, 3400 and 3600 kcal energy inclusion respectively. Diets were fed to triplicate groups of eight catfish (51 ± 0.56 g) per tank twice daily to satiation for 8 weeks. Significant effects of graded energy levels across diets (p<0.05) on growth and nutrient utilization were recorded relative to diet A. The optimal dietary energy was within the range (3000 – 3200 kcal/Kg) on nutrients utilization and growth parameters. The least value (1.33 ± 0.17) and the best feed conversion ratio was recorded with fish fed 3000 kcal/kg while the protein efficiency ratio was significantly high (p<0.05) at 3200 kcal/kg (52.80 ± 3.33). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) recorded across diets in the measured blood parameters and fish organs. Some biochemical parameters like total protein, albumin, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein were not significantly affected by dietary energy inclusion levels, other stress enzymes, like superoxide dismutase, was significantly different between diets with diet A and diet E respectively. Though diet A had the best-estimated investment cost (N 48.30), diet C had the highest values for both net profit (N 50.68) and benefit-cost ratio (N 1.79). Therefore, feed at 35 % CP would require between 3000 – 3200 kcal/Kg for optimum performance.

3112 – 3119

Authors: ONYISHI, Grace Chinenye and AGUZIE, Ifeanyi Oscar Ndimkaoha

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites fauna of fish from Ebonyi River was investigated from February to July 2016. Fish caught from the river were sacrificed and gastrointestinal parasites isolated. A total of 121 fish comprising (and number examined, n) Distichodus engycephalus (n = 28), Labeo senegalensis (n = 34), Auchenoglaris occidentalis (n = 14) and Synodontis clarias (n = 45) were examined out of which 78(65.0%) were infected. S. clarias had the highest prevalence of infection 37(82.2 %), followed by L. senegalensis 21(61.8 %) and D. engycephalus 14(50.0 %). The lowest prevalence of infection was observed in A. occidentalis 6(42.9 %). The prevalence of infection was significantly different between the fish species (χ2 = 11.713, p = 0.008). The parasites isolated were of three species, Camallanus sp., Neoechinorhynchus africanus and Acanthocephalus sp. Overall, the prevalence of the three parasites was in the range of 30 – 35 %. Overall, Camallanus sp. had the highest mean intensity [4.41 (3.95 – 4.89, 95% CI)]. Mean intensities of N. africanus and Acanthocephalus sp., were only slightly lower: [3.17 (2.81 – 3.48, 95% CI)] and [3.21 (2.79 – 3.66, 95% CI)] respectively. Infection was not significantly dependent on the sex of fish or the season of sampling (p>0.05). Helminth parasite infection prevalence is high in some fish species of Ebonyi River, Enugu State, Nigeria. This high prevalence of helminths infection may compromise the productivity of the fish species infected.

2979 – 2988

Authors: OLUDE, Oluwagbenga Olanrewaju, ALIMI, Adam Mubarak, BALOGUN, Rofiat Adefunke and BADAMASSI, Tolulope Joel

The potential of blending soaked moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf and fermented moringa kernel as a substitute for fishmeal in the diet for Clarias gariepinus was investigated. The leaves were soaked overnight while the seeds were defatted and subsequently fermented with Rhizopus stolonifer. Four approximately isonitrogenous (40 % crude protein) and iso-energetic (20 kJ/g) diets were formulated to contain graded levels (0, 20, 40 and 60 %) of a mixture (1:1) of soaked leaf and fermented kernel of moringa. The diets were fed to triplicates group of C. gariepinus (average weight, 8.87 ± 0.02 g) for 56 days. Growth performance in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate in the group that received control diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) than those that were reared on diets containing 40 and 60 % mixture of soaked moringa leaf and fermented kernel but statistically similar (p>0.05) to the group fed with 20% of the mixture. The feed conversion ratio was statistically similar (p>0.05) in the control and dietary treatments. The haematological profile of the control group was similar (p>0.05) to all other treatment groups in all the parameters examined; suggesting that there were no deleterious health effects arising from the incorporation of processed moringa leaf and kernel in the diets for C. gariepinus.

2994 – 3002

Authors: EKAYE, Sese-Owei, UWAGIE-ERO, Edwin Aihanuwa, ODIGIE, Eugene Amienwanlen and AGHAYEDO, Cosmos Oghogho

This study reports the effect of untreated refinery effluents on female albino rats ameliorated with Shea oil. The experimental set-up included three treatment groups (effluent only, effluent abated with Shea oil and the control) of adult, albino rats 6 – 7 weeks old. Rats were acclimatized for 2 weeks before being orally administered 2 ml of untreated refinery effluent by oral gavage and were sacrificed at 3, 6 and 9 weeks intervals. After 9 weeks, rats were left for 21 days post-exposure to recuperate. Body, organ weight and morphology, heavy metal concentration in ovaries and histopathology of ovaries were estimated across the groups. There was a significant increase (p>0.05) in body and organ weight of treated rats compared to control. Organ morphology of treated rats varied from control but was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Lead and chromium concentrations in ovaries were high in concentration in rats treated with effluent only. Histopathology of ovaries showed evidence of pathological changes in rats treated with effluent when compared with control and the Shea oil ameliorated group. Rats ameliorated with Shea oil showed an early return to normal histological architecture in their ovaries. Shea oil was effective in ameliorating the effects of untreated refinery effluent toxicity on the ovary of intoxicated female albino rats.

3013 – 3019

Authors: AMADI, Anthonia Nnenna, UBIARU, Prince Chigozirim, UGAGU, Gerald Mmaduabuchi, IBEDIUGHA, Briandavis Nnaemeka, OBEAGU, Innocent Amaechi and NJIKEONYE, Ann

A study of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs was studied to identify and estimate the burden of parasites of pigs managed and slaughtered in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State, Nigeria between April to June 2017. Faecal samples from freshly passed faeces and from the rectum of 150 pigs were collected randomly from two pig farms and three slaughterhouses and analyzed in the laboratory using the formal-ether sedimentation method. Microscopic examination was done using x10 and x40 objectives. Out of the 150 faecal samples collected from 92 females and 58 males, 36(24 %) and 28(18.7 %) were infected respectively giving a total prevalence of 64(42.7 %). Chi-square analysis showed that the prevalence was not sex-dependent (p>0.05). Eight parasites species were observed; Ascaris suum (14.7 %), Balantidium coli (9.3 %), Taenia solium (1.3 %), Trichuris suis (0.7 %), Entamoeba sp. (0.7 %), Strongyloides sp. (2.0 %), Oesophagostomum sp. (2.7%) and Globocephalus sp. (11.3 %). A. suum was the most prevalent parasite. The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was higher in adult pigs (≥12 months) (26.0 %) when compared to the growers (7 – 12 months) (10.0 %) and piglets (<7 months) (6.7 %). The prevalence recorded in this study was age-dependent (p<0.05). Proper management of pigs in both farms and slaughterhouses should encourage enhancing productivity, maximizing profit and reducing the rate of infection among people eating pork. Pork should not be exposed to flies when slaughtered and must be cooked thoroughly before consumption.

3034 – 3040

Authors: LAWAL-ARE, Aderonke Omolara, ADEKUGBE, Adeola Lydia and ODUSOGA, Aishat Wuraola

Fishes are known for their ability to concentrate heavy metals in their muscles and since they play important role in human nutrition, they need to be carefully screened to ensure that unnecessarily high levels of some toxic trace metals are not being transferred to man through their consumption. The study was to evaluate heavy metals (chromium, lead, iron and cadmium) in imported and local species of shrimps, crabs and fish using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The selected imported species were horse mackerelkote fish (Trachurus trachurus), mackerel - titus (Scomber scrombus), croaker (Pseudotolithus typus), smooth swim crab (Portunus validus) and pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus notialis) while the local species used were; Sole fish (Cynoglossus senegalensis), Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), brackish water catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus), freshwater catfish (Clarias gariepinus), lagoon crab (Callinectes amnicola) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium macrobrachion). It was observed that there was no significant difference in the metals (Cd, Pb and Cr) between the imported and local fish species and between imported and local crustacean species. However, these metals are concentrated more in the local fish species, O. niloticus (1.846 ± 1.00 mg/100g). The mean heavy metals concentration occurred in the following decreasing order: Fe > Cd > Pb > Cr for all the samples. The mean concentrations of the analyzed heavy metals in the samples were below the maximum permissible limits as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) for heavy metals in fish.

3048 – 3054

Authors: ADETIMEHIN, Adeyemi Daniel and UYI, Osariyekemwen Osa

This study investigated the potency of the cold and hot water leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) against the third instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae), the vector of lymphatic filariasis. Ten actively swimming third instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus were exposed to different concentrations of 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 % (w/v) of cold and hot water leaf extracts of A. indica, after which percentage larval mortality was monitored for 24 and 48 hours. Results from this study revealed that both extract types (cold and hot water) of A. indica demonstrated excellent larvicidal activities against the larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus at all tested concentrations (excluding the control – 0.0 % w/v). Percentage larval mortality was slightly a function of both concentration and exposure duration. Following a 48 hour exposure period of Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae to different concentrations of A. indica cold and hot water leaf extracts, the highest concentration (3.0 % w/v) of both extract types were observed to demonstrate a perfect larvicidal activity (100 %) against the test insect. In conclusion, this study recommends the application of A. indica cold and hot water leaf extracts in the control of Cx. quinquefasciatus specifically at their potential breeding sites and also in areas where lymphatic filariasis is endemic.

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.