Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

12

Authors: M. F. Dowidar, Sameh Abd ElAzeem, Khater A. M., Awad Somayah. M. and Metwally S. A.

This study evaluated the effect of probiotics on the growth performance, some immunological, biochemical and hematological parameters of Nile tilapia. Eight weeks feeding trials were conducted to examine the effect of three types of probiotics, multi-strain probiotics (6×107 cfu/g), Bacillus subtilis (1×1011 cfu/g) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (2.6×1010 cfu/g) in commercial names Protexin, Biogen-S and Diamond V respectively. Nile tilapia (24±0.02 g) was fed probiotic-incorporated diets as well as control diet (free of probiotics) in triplicates. At 4th and 8th week of feeding trial, the growth performance of fish fed different probiotics was higher than those fed the control diet. No significant difference was observed among fish fed different probiotics for 4 or 8 weeks. Blood profile showed an increase in hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBCs), packed cell volume (PCV), total protein, and globulin while aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased in fish fed different types of probiotics. Probiotics supplementation improved fish innate immunity based on lysozyme and respiratory burst activities over the control diet evaluated at 4th and 8th week. Likewise, significant up-regulation of the expression of cytokine genes, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α) estimated at 8th week by using quantitative RT-PCR were significantly higher than the control. After experimental period (8 weeks) fish from each group were challenged by pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila (4×108 cfu/ml) which exhibited better relative survival percentages than the controls. Dietary supplementation of probiotics improves growth performance, immune status and disease resistance in Nile tilapia. Also, the best results related to growth obtained from groups fed multi-strain probiotic.

5

Authors: Sherifat Banke IDRIS* and Usman Rayyanu ADAMU

Moringa oleifera is a native plant of many countries in the world used for its medicinal, nutitional and economical benefits. In Nigeria, the leaves are sold either fresh or cooked as food and/or medicine. The phytochemicals present in Moringa oleifera leaves extracts belonging to the family Moringaceae was determined using serial extraction, with methanol, ethanol and water as solvent. The phytochemicals present were identified using standard chemicals and result interpretation, while the uses of this leaves in humans and animals were investigated with the use of questionnaire. The phytochemicals that were present in the leaves included: tannins, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones and alkaloids. Nine (9) medicinal uses of Moringa leaves were determined in animals and fifteen (15) medicinal uses of Moringa oleifera leaves in humans were established. The Presence of phytochemicals in the extracts suggests possible preventive and curative property of Moringa oleifera leaves in humans and animals.

6

Authors: Sam, I. M., Ukpanah, U. A., Eyoh, G. D. and Ekpo, J. S.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of breed, haemoglobin (Hb) and potassium (k) types on blood profiles of agro-pastoral goat herds in North-Western Nigeria. A total of two hundred and fifty (250) agropastoral lactating does comprising of 109 Red Sokoto (RS), 26 Sahel (SH), 34 Kano Brown and 81 Crosses (CRS) were involved in the study. Blood was sampled from all the animals and analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration [Hb], sodium (Na), total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), globulin (Glob) and glucose (Glu). The effects of breed, haemoglobin and potassium types on blood biochemical profile were determined using General Linear Model (GLM) procedures of SAS, significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The electrophoretic analysis showed three haemoglobin genotypes HbAA, HbAB and HbBB and two potassium types were observed; low potassium (LK) and high potassium (HK). The results showed that all the blood parameters measured were within the range of normal values of serum electrolytes of goats. The breeds of goats had no significant influence on blood biochemical profiles sampled except Sahel goats which had higher Total Protein (64.44±0.49 g/l) and Albumin (31.12±0.37 g/l). It was concluded that haemoglobin and potassium types had no influence on blood biochemical profile of the herd of goat studied.

5

Authors: Adua M. M., Idahor K. O. and Christopher S. K.

Intestinal parasites pose a great constraint to livestock production and cause high incidence of mortality and low production in livestock. This study was designed to identify the roundworm species infections in cattle, sheep and goats that were slaughtered at Lafia abattoir during the rainy season (April to June, 2016). The aim was to sensitize livestock stakeholders to strategize effective means of disrupting the life cycles of the roundworms in order to prevent their widespread within the herds. Faecal samples were collected from 22 cattle, 25 sheep and 23 goats and were examined by simple floatation method and microscopy for the presence of roundworms. Results showed that out of a total of 70 animals examined, 36 representing 51.4% of the animals were infected with various species of roundworms. Those found in the animals examined included Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Ascaris suum and Neoascaris vitulorum. It was observed that both sexes of all the animal breeds examined were infected, though males were more susceptible than the females. Animals in all the age categories were infected and those on extensive management system were more infected than those in semi-intensive. Since different species of roundworms were found in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at Lafia abattoir, it indicated that there was probably high prevalent rate of roundworms in the area. More so, mixed species infection of Ascaris suum and Neoascaris vitulorum were recorded in goats, suggesting severe burden that may hinder optimum physiological performance. It could be necessary therefore to advise that careful disposal of the gastrointestinal contents, regular deworming, implementation of strict biosecurity measures and intensive animal production system should be adopted in the study area. This may disrupt the life cycles of the roundworm species thus, preventing parasitic infections from spreading to other animals in the study area.

7

Authors: Foluke A. Aderemi, Olufemi. M. Alabi, Mathew. O. Ayoola and Loveth O. Oyelami

The high cost of soybean meal, and competition as food between human and animal have necessitated search for alternative plant protein source in poultry diet. Eight weeks trial was carried out on the evaluation of fermented locust bean meal (FLBM) as replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler production. Ninety days old broilers were allotted randomly to three treatment diets, replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. Diets I (control) did not contain FLBM, diets II and III had 50 and 100% FLBM inclusions respectively as replacement for soybean meal in both starter and finisher phases. At the end of finisher phase, 4 birds were randomly selected per replicate for analyses of blood samples and evaluation of internal organs and carcass characteristics. At starter phase, body weight was not significantly affected (P>0.05) by treatment diets among experimental groups. The feed intake was lower in diet III, and feed conversion ratio was better in diet I significantly (P<0.05). Mortality of birds on diet III was higher significantly (P<0.05). At the finisher level, broilers fed diet I had higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratio, which was significantly (P<0.05) similar to diet II. The packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin, red blood cell and platelets of birds fed diet II were significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared to those fed diets I and III and were within normal range for healthy birds. Blood serum showed that glucose, aspartate transaminase, cholesterol and creatinine of birds fed diet III were significantly (P<0.05) higher than others. Measurement of organs revealed that liver, lungs, intestine, gizzard and heart of those fed diets II and III were significantly (P<0.05) similar and smaller than the control with no traces of inflammation. Conclusively, FLBM could replace up to 50% SBM in broiler diet without adverse effect on the production performance.

10

Authors: Omamegbe, J. O., Adeyemo, B. T., Okafor, R. S. O., Umeakuana, P. U., Onah, J. A. and Audu, Z.

A six years old entire Rottweiler bitch which was presented with the sole history of mild lameness and mild pain of the right forelimb was diagnosed as appendicular osteosarcoma (APOSA) based on its general condition, the physical and radiographic examinations supported by biochemical findings. The radiographic findings revealed an aggressive osseous growth, a “sunburst” appearance, a Codman’s triangle, the presence of a skip metastasis, mixed osteoblastic, osteosclerotic, osteolytic changes, erosion of the cortex of the affected humerus and rapidly growing metastases in the pulmonary system. There were serial elevations of the serum alkaline phosphatase levels during three consecutive occasions when it was assessed from 249 to 307 to 715 IU/L within eleven weeks as against the normal level of 1.0 to 114.0 IU/L. The anamnesis, clinical, radiographic and biochemical findings indicated a grave prognosis. No specific treatment or management protocol was administered as the client opted for none that was suggested. The bitch was eventually euthanized 11 weeks after its initial presentation due to its rapidly deteriorating health and a grave prognosis based on negatively progressive radiographic indices and a rising serum alkaline phosphatase profile. This presentation details the radiographic features recorded (in probably the first documented case of OSA in Nigeria) in an entire six years old Rottweiler bitch.

6

Authors: Unigwe C. R., Balogun, F. A., Olona, J. F., Nwufoh, O. C. and Odah, I. S.

A study on the prevalence of fecal helminth parasites in adult WAD goats was carried out in five different areas of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of fecal helminth parasites of goats in some areas including Gbekuba, Adabeji, Adifase, Owode and Lade-Owo as well as the genera distribution of faecal helminth parasites of goats in the study area. A total of 22 faecal samples per area were collected summing up to 110 samples from 110 goats. Simple floatation technique was used to identify eggs of parasites in the faecal samples and the eggs examined under light microscope for typing. Out of the 110 fecal samples, 78 (70.91%) of them were positive for helminth endo-parasites including five genera of nematodes: Ascaris spp (56.36%), Strongyloides spp (2.73%), Trichuris spp (0.91%), Nematodirus spp (2.73%) and Trichostrongylus spp (1.82%) and a genus of trematode: Fasciola spp (6.36%). The results showed that Ascaris spp was the most prevalent followed by Fasciola spp, Trichuris spp, Nematodirus spp, Strongyloides spp and Trichostrongylus spp. It is therefore recommended that routine deworming should be embraced using broad spectrum anthelmintics particularly against nematodes and trematodes to bring to minimal or possibly stamp out endo-parasites from the study area.

7

Authors: M. M. Adua, K. O. Idahor and U. M. Sambo

In Nigeria, cattle, sheep and goats are reared basically under extensive production system. In some cases, these animals irrespective of their species and breeds are reared together especially under the modified urban or peri-urban system, hence, the possibility of cross-transmission of gastrointestinal parasites resulting in heavy parasites burden. There are several reports on parasites control measures involving biological and cultural techniques even the use of unsafe chemicals. Yet, little or nothing is known about sex, age and breed as physiological status in gastrointestinal parasites control strategy. Hence the present study was aimed at investigating the susceptibility of ruminants based on sex, age and breed-type. In order to achieve this, a total of 2, 400 ruminants (1, 500 cattle, 450 sheep and 450 goats) that have not been dewormed for at least 6 months prior to the study were examined. Faecal samples were collected from 800 ruminant animals (500 cattle, 150 sheep and 150 goats) based on sex, age and breed-type each which were processed for microscopic examinations. Results showed that 43.4% (bull), 41.6% (cow), 18.7% (ram), 16.6% (ewe), 11.3% (buck) and 14.0% (doe) were infected with gastrointestinal parasites. In all the species examined, each age category was infected and the young ones were observed to seemingly exhibit more susceptibility than the adults. The prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites varied between 22.4 and 62.6% in cattle breeds, 3.3 and 16.0% in sheep while 6.0 to 8.7% was recorded in goats. It was observed that Haemonchus, Fasciola and Strongyle species infected the cattle while, Entamoeba, Moniezia, Paramphistomum and Haemonchus species were found in both sheep and goats. In each case, mixed infections were recorded therefore sex, age and breed may perhaps not play significant roles in gastrointestinal parasites control in ruminant animals reared in Lafia metropolis.