Animal Research International

3640 – 3648

Authors: FAGA, David Chiagi, OBISIKE, Victor Ugochukwu, ONAH, Isegbe Emmanuel and AMUTA, Elizabeth Une

Malaria parasitemia and genotype of patients attending Federal Medical Center, Makurdi and General Hospital Otupko in Benue State was assessed between the months of November, 2017 and February, 2018. A total of 400 samples were collected from consented patients through venipuncture techniques. The blood samples were processed within 3 to 6 hours of collection. Infection status and genotype were ascertained using standard techniques. Their demographic characteristics and malaria control measures were determined using questionnaires. Chi-square test was used to determine the degree of association between malaria prevalence and other factors influencing its transmission. 162 patients (40.5 %) were positive. Females had higher prevalence than males and the difference was significant (x2 = 11.993, df = 1, p = 0.00, p<0.05). The age group 0 – 9 had the highest prevalence of 46.8 %. The prevalence of malaria was not found to be dependent upon age group and the difference was not significant (x2= 4.798, df = 6, p = 0.570, p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AA had the highest prevalence rate of 46.7 % followed by AS with 29.9 %, while no SS individual was infected. Prevalence between the three genotypes was significant (p = 0.001, p<0.05). The finding from the study showed that malaria prevalence depends on risk factors that promote transmission and that AS and SS individuals have a genetic advantage over AA individuals in relation to plasmodium parasitemia. Public enlightenment should be taken more seriously in both the urban and rural areas of Benue State.

3658 – 3664

Authors: UFELE, Angela Nwogor, NWAFOR, Chidinma Judith, OFFOR, Vivian and NWANKWO, Samuel

This research investigated the effect of Azadirachta indica and Moringa oleifera leaf on the growth performance and PCV of broiler chicks. Sixty four weeks old broiler chicks were used. T1 was control which contained only chick mash, T2 contained 20 g of neem leaf meal (NLM), T3 contained 20 g of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) and T4 contained 10 g of NLM and 10 g of MLM. The study lasted for 8 weeks. Result from the study showed that birds on 20 g inclusion of NLM had a significantly (p<0.05) higher weight gain (1800 ± 0.70) and mean weight (2650 ± 45.64) followed by the birds on a mixture of 10 g of NLM and 10 g of MLM . Similar trend followed in the specific growth rate even though the difference was not significant (p>0.05). The result obtained for the PCV ranged from 35.40 ± 0.07 for the 20 g inclusion of NLM, 36.50 ± 0.21 for the control treatment; 38.60 ± 0.21 for the 10 g inclusion of NLM + 10 g inclusion of MLM and 40.90 ± 0.21 for the 20 g inclusion of MLM. Analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in the PCV among the different treatment groups. From the result, it was concluded that neem leaf gave a better performance at 20 g inclusion level in terms of growth performance, followed by the mixture with Moringa at 50:50 inclusion. Also Moringa oleifera performed best in boosting the PCV of broiler.

3674 – 3681

Authors: USUNOBUN, Usunomena and EKAKITIE, Chelsea

This work was aimed at determining the protective effect of Celosia argentea aqueous leaf extract on acetaminophen induced liver attack in male albino rats. A total of 42 rats were divided into seven groups of six rats with the leaf extract of C. argentea administered for eight days at 200 and 400 mg/kg in groups 4, 5, 6 and 7. Acetaminophen (3 g/kg) was administered to rats in group 2, 3, 6 and 7 on the eight day. Forty-eight (48) hours after Acetaminophen was administered, the rats were sacrificed and blood collected for aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP) and serum albumin (SA) as well as histopathological analysis. The results showed that acetaminophen at 3 g/kg altered liver function, synthetic and pathological state whereas C. argentea leaf restored liver function toward normalcy thus making revealing hepatotoxic nature of acetaminophen and the hepatoprotective potential of C. argentea leaf.

3691 – 3705

Authors: INGWEYE, Julius Naligwu, ANAELE, Oluchi and OLOGBOSE, Festus Imonkhei

Response of rabbits to diets containing Aidan pod powder was assessed. Forty-eight New Zealand White bucks, aged 42 ± 5 days, were used for the 56-day trial. Animals were shared into four groups of three replicates with four rabbits per replicate. Groups were andomly allotted to four treatments (T1 to T4) diets. T1 (control) had no Aidan. Aidan was included at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % in T2, T3 and T4, respectively. All diets were formulated to provide 17 % crude protein and 2,700 (ME) kcal/kg of energy. Diets and water were given ad libitum. Animal weights, balanced across groups, were taken initially, then every 7 days. Performance, carcass, organ and economics of production indices were assessed. Final weight, total and daily weight gains, dressed weight and cost of feed increased (p<0.05) with increasing Aidan levels, while daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio decreased (p<0.05). Carcass and relative organ weights gave mixed results that mostly reflect final live and dressed weights. T3 had the highest weight gain, lowest feed intake, lowest cost of feed consumed and, best feed conversion ratio. Hence, 1.0 % inclusion of Aidan is recommended for better growth, weight gain and feed efficiency in rabbits. But, high inclusion levels should be with caution as such may deposit abdominal fat that could jeopardize the status of rabbit meat as a functional food.

3713 – 3722

Authors: OSMAN, Alhassan, ANTIRI, Lewis Agyakwa, OWIREDU, Emmanuel, AMOAH, Kwame Owusu and KARIKARI, Paul Kofi

A study was carried out to determine nutrients digestibility, growth performance and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits fed graded levels of Ackee Leaf Meal (ALM). Twenty weaner rabbits were randomly assigned to four treatments (T0 – 0 % ALM, which served as the control, T1 – 7.5 % ALM, T2 – 15 % ALM and T3 – 22.5 % ALM) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and fed the assigned diets for ten weeks after one week adjustment period. Parameters measured included average daily feed intake, average daily body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality. The digestibility study was carried out during the 8th week of the feeding trial. At the end of the feeding trial, two rabbits per treatment were randomly selected, starved of feed for 24 hours and slaughtered. Carcass measurements and weights of internal organs were taken. The results revealed significant differences in final body weight, total weight gain and average daily weight gain with T1 recording the highest values. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased when ALM was increased to 22.5 %. Digestibility values for DM and EE were significantly (p<0.05) higher for T2. Dressed weight and dressing percentage declined significantly (p<0.05) when ALM was increased to 22.5 % of the diet. It was concluded that ALM could be used to improve average daily weight gain and FCR up to 15 % inclusion level without increasing the unit cost of feed. The inclusion of ALM up to 15 % of the diet could also improve digestibility of DM and EE.

3729 – 3735

Authors: OGUNBAMBO, Mutiat Mogbonjubola

Smoke-dried fish is an integral protein source in many Nigerian diets, processed by smoke-drying and sold for income. The study aimed to describe the fatty acid yield of smoke-dried African mudfish (average weight of 350 ± 100 g) using traditional drum kiln (TDK) and eco-friendly kiln (EFK) while storing at ambient (280C) and control (140C) temperatures. In the smoke-dried mudfish, a total of 25 fatty acids (7 Saturated, 9 Monounsaturated and 9 polyunsaturated) were identified. Under ambient temperature storage, saturated fatty acid (SFA) was found to be higher in fish smoked with TDK than fish smoked with EFK. Palmitic acid was the main component of saturated fatty acid followed by stearic acid. Under control temperature, unsaturated fatty acid content was found to be higher in EFK-smoked fish than in TDK-smoked fish, and these values were higher compared to those of SFAs. Petroselinic acid has been noted as a dominant MUFA in both TDK (16.08 ± 0.23 %) and EFK-smoked (16.98 ± 0.19 %) samples. Among the PUFAs, docosahexaenoic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were the dominant in the smoke-dried fish. The results indicate that kiln type and different storage temperature affect the fatty acid composition of Clarias gariepinus.

3747 – 3760

Authors: COKER, Oluwakayode Michael, JUBRIL, Afusat Jagun, ISONG, Otobong Mfon and OMONONA, Abosede Olayemi

Currently, no information exists regarding internal and external morphometrics and their correlations in Funisciurus anerythrus and Heliosciurus gambianus. Therefore, this study examined the relationships among the internal and external morphometrics of the two species in University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. Samples of adult F. anerythrus (n = 20) and H. gambianus (n = 13) were trapped from the wild at various locations within the campus. Live weights (LW), external measurements and weights of internal organs were taken. Comparisons within and between both species were carried out using T-tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient at p<0.05. H. gambianus was significantly bigger than F. anerythrus for all the measured parameters, except in ear and snout lengths. Male F. anerythrus was significantly bigger than female in LW, body length (BL) and shoulder to tail length (STL) while, female H. gambianus was significantly bigger than male in trunk circumference (TC). In male F. anerythrus, BL significantly correlates with STL (r = 0.85). In female F. anerythrus, LW correlates significantly with hind limb length (r = 0.62) and both kidneys. In male H. gambianus, LW correlates significantly with head length (r = 0.79), tail length (r = 0.81), BL (r = 0.97), STL (r = 0.87), and the weights of lungs and kidneys. In female H. gambianus, LW correlates significantly with TC (r = 0.99) and right lung weight (r = 0.92). Both species show some levels of sexual dimorphism and substantial positive correlations among the external and internal measurements.

3766 – 3780

Authors: OLAJUYIGBE, Samuel Olalekan, OYEDARE, Olumide Olutayo, OBEBE, Oluwasola Olaiya and COKER, Oluwakayode Michael

This study investigated the growth performances, egg production and blood profiles of Coturnix japonica fed concentrate diets supplemented with Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (TDLM). One hundred (two-week old) C. japonica chicks were allocated to five dietary treatments. The experimental birds were allowed to acclimatize for one week, before feeding trials lasted for twelve weeks. Diets were formulated with TDLM inclusions at 0 % (A), 2.5% (B), 5 % (C), 7.5 % (D) and 10 % (E) to the standard dietary formulations. Diets and water were provided for the chicks, ad-libitum. Data collected on growth performance, blood profiles, serum biochemistry and egg production, were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Inclusion of TDLM had a significant influence on growth performance, blood profiles, and egg production (P<0.05). After 12 weeks, Diet C had the highest body weight (148.37 ± 0.76 g), while control diet had least (144.93 ± 1.05 g). The control diet had 20% mortality, while Diet D had 5% mortality due to injuries from other birds’ attack. Egg weight varied from 9.60 ± 0.14 g (control) to 11.39 ± 0.12 g (Diet E).The blood profiles responded positively to TDLM inclusion with the birds developing stronger immunity when compared to those fed the control diet. Serum biochemistry did not significantly differ indicating that there were no negative effects due to TDLM inclusion. TDLM at 2.5 and 5.0 % inclusions had the highest positive effects on growth performance, haematological parameters, egg production and serum biochemistry of the quails.

3790 – 3798

Authors: WAHEDI, Jasini Alexander, PUKUMA, Micah Sale, GAMBU, James Wurma and ELKANAH, Obadiah Sambo

Cockroaches are insects of significant medical importance because of their tendencies in transmitting diseases mechanically. This study was performed to determine the incidence of gastrointestinal parasites in the guts and body surfaces of cockroaches in the residential and hospital areas, and the perception of their role in disease transmission in Mubi-South, Adamawa State. Two hundred cockroaches (100 each from the residential and hospital areas respectively) were collected from various households and hospital areas in Mubi-South, and were screened for gastrointestinal parasites in the laboratory. A well-structured questionnaire was used to source data on peoples’ perception on the role of cockroaches in disease transmission. The result revealed eight parasites (A. lumbricoides, E. coli, E. hystolitica, G. lamblia, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp . and Streptococcus spp.) prevalent in the cockroaches collected. Out of the 200 cockroaches collected, only 62(31.0 %) tested positive for gastrointestinal parasites. A. lumbricoides was the predominant species of parasites, while the least was G. lamblia (1 %). The result also revealed the preponderance of parasites in cockroaches collected from the hospital (39 %) than residential (23 %). Also, there were more parasites encountered in body surfaces (61.3 %) of cockroaches than guts (38.7 %). The perception on the role of cockroaches in disease transmission revealed that cockroaches are potential mechanical transmitters of disease pathogens. Therefore, there is need to improve good sanitary measures in our environments in order to contain the influence of cockroaches in the spread of disease, most especially in hospital areas, where cockroach infestation is high.