Animal Research International

2249 – 2259

Authors: IKHUORIAH, Suleman Ovuehor, ORONSAYE, Charity G. and ADEBANJO, Isaac Adeniyi

Zooplankton communities of the River Ossiomo at Ologbo, Niger Delta, Nigeria were investigated from April 2012 to December 2012. Three stations were studied from upstream to downstream with a distance of about 2 kilometres between each station. A total of 42 taxa were identified; 11 species of cladocerans, 6 copepods and 5 rotifers in the following order of dominance: copepoda > cladocera > rotifera. A total zooplankton population of 1330 individuals was recorded during the study period. Copepods and cladocera represented the predominant species (51.1% and 43.6% of the total zooplankton community respectively) followed by rofiters (5.3%). Copepods and cladocerans were dominated by both cyclopoid (51.1%) and chydorids (27.8%), respectively. The dominant copepod and cladocera species were Thermocyclops neglectus and Alona eximia representing 33.1% and 15.8% of the total zooplankton, respectively. The calculated diversity indices indicated that station 1 was more diverse followed by station 3, while zooplankton species in station 2 were least diverse. Community composition was similar at both stations 2 and 3 but varies seasonally across the three stations. Higher species number and density were found during the wet season with a trend of declining proportion towards the dry months.

2268 – 2273

Authors: FALOHUN, Olufarati Oludunsin, OBEBE, Oluwasola Olaiya, ONYICHE, Emmanuel ThankGod, OKE, Philip Oladele, OMOTAINSE, Oluwadamilola Samuel and ADELABU, David Babatunde

Fasciola gigantica is the parasitic fluke causing tropical fasciolosis leading to great economic losses in cattle production in Nigeria. One hundred and five (105) flukes were collected and identified after careful examination of the bile ducts from twenty-one (21) infected slaughtered cattle out of a total of two hundred (200) cattle examined from Bodija Municipal Abattoir. Semichon’s Acetic-Carmine staining technique and histological examination were carried out for parasitic identification while simple faecal floatation and sedimentation techniques were done for parasite egg examination. Postmortem examination showed enlarged and friable liver covered with fibrin tags while bile ducts were thickened, distended and packed with adult flukes when sliced open. Microscopic and histological examination revealed greyish-brown leaf-shaped adult Fasciola gigantica flukes, bearing a cone-shaped projection and a pair of broad shoulders with the intestinal ceca branched as well as the testes and the ovary. The vitelline follicles fill the lateral fields of the worm and the common genital pore just anterior to the acetabulum. Large Fasciola gigantica eggs are oval, yellowish to greenish and bear a polar operculum. Public enlightenment especially among the butchers and abattoir workers should be periodical on the public health importance of the parasite and how unwholesome abattoir practices can lead to accidental human infection. This will greatly reduce the practice of selling infected organs that have been deemed unfit for human consumption.

2284 – 2291

Authors: JOSIAH, Gana James, OMALU, Innocent Chukwuemeka James, MAKUN, Hussaina Jumai, CHIEZEY, Ngozi P. and ABAH, Onuche-Ojo Isaiah

Small ruminants (goats and sheep) production systems worldwide are significantly constrained by haemo and gastrointestinal parasites. The study was carried out in Northwestern Nigeria from November 2011 to October 2012 to identify the common haemoparasites and haemonchosis in small ruminants. Three hundred abomasum samples with corresponding blood samples were collected from 200 goats and 100 sheep, respectively at necropsy. The abomasa were examined by Hansen and Perry method for the presence of Haemonchus contortus while blood samples were examined using the thin blood smear and Haematocrit Centrifugation Techniques (HCT). The prevalence of Haemonchus contortus in small ruminants was 80.3% with goats and sheep having a prevalence of 78% and 85%, respectively. The prevalence of H. contortus in small ruminants during late dry, early dry, late rain and early rain were 64.9%, 84.1%, 89.9% and 81.1%, respectively. The prevalence was statistically significant among the seasons (p<0.05) with the highest prevalence in the late rainy season. The total number of adult worms collected was 21862. The highest adult worm burdens were obtained during the late rainy season (August to October) when a mean worm burden of 180.2 ± 51.45 and PCV of 26.63 ± 0.63 were recorded. The mean worm burdens for early dry, late dry and early rain were 42.60 ± 6.93, 31.67 ± 5.56 and 61.10 ± 11.33, respectively. The PCV values for the season were 27.73 ± 0.79, 26.60 ± 0.87 and 28.40 ± 0.65, respectively. The values of PCV for the four sub-seasons were not significant from one another but the value of PCV obtained during early rain was different from those of other sub-seasons. The PCV had a weak negative correlation with worm burdens with a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.2632 which was highly significant (p<0.001). Out of 200 goats and 100 sheep examined for haemoparasites, only one goat had a heavy infection with Trypanosoma vivax and a sheep had mixed infection with Theileria ovis and Anaplasma ovis. The prevalence of three protozoans encountered was 0.33% each in small ruminants. The PCV of infected goats and sheep with protozoan parasites was 25% and 20%, respectively. The results suggest that Haemonchus contortus may be the major cause of anaemia in the study area. It is therefore recommended that further research be embarked upon to determine the effect of nutrition in ameliorating the effects of helminth infections and anaemia in small ruminants.

2298 – 2304

Authors: ABA, Patrick Emeka, JOSHUA, Parker Elijah, ONWUDINJO, Rex Chibuikem, OMOJA, Valentine Uneojo and EZEASOR, Chukwunonso Kenechukwu

This study investigated the possible hepatoprotective effect of quail egg solution on acetaminophen intoxicated rats. Thirty adult rats of mixed sexes were assigned into five groups of six per group. The rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 were pretreated with 30, 15, 7.5 mg/ml ad-lib respectively of quail egg solution for 7 days before intoxication with 2000 mg/kg acetaminophen. Rats in group 5 were not pretreated but intoxicated with 2000 mg/kg acetaminophen (negative control) while the group 1 rats were neither pretreated nor intoxicated and served as a positive control. Fourty eight hours post-induction, blood for some biochemical and haematological analysis was collected and the remaining rats treated until the 14th day when the rats were humanely sacrificed and vital organs (liver and kidney) collected for histopathology. The results showed that the ALT activity of 30 mg/ml pretreated rats were significantly (p<0.05) lower than those of the negative control rats. Significant (p<0.05) increases were seen in the RBC, WBC, PCV and Hb levels of quail egg pretreated rats when compared with the negative control. However, no significant (p>0.05) changes were seen in AST activity, MCHC and MCH levels of both the test groups and the controls. Histomorphometry examination revealed less severe vacuolar degenerative changes in the liver of 30 mg/ml pretreated rats when compared to the rats of other intoxicated groups. It was concluded that quail egg at the concentration of 30 mg/ml ameliorated hepatotoxicity and improved haematologic indices of acetaminophen-induced toxicity in rats.

2311 – 2315

Authors: OKEKE, Obiageli Panthe, IMAKWU, Cyril Ali, EYO, Joseph Effiong and OKAFOR, Fabian Chukwuemenam

This study examined the trends of malaria infection among children in the paediatric unit of some tertiary and secondary health outlets in Anambra State, Nigeria over a six-year period. A retrospective study of malaria prevalence in children aged 0 – 14.9 years between January 2005 and December 2010 was conducted to establish the trends. There was an increase in the number of children with malaria infection from 2005 to 2010. Seasonal prevalence occurred with 52.3% malaria parasite infection during the rainy season and 47.7% during the dry season. Children between the ages of 0 – 3 years had the highest malaria prevalence between 2005 – 2010. There was an overall yearly increase in the number of malaria cases which may be as a result of influx of mothers/caregivers to the hospitals for further treatment after initial home management of malaria in their children.

2159 – 2165

Authors: EBENEBE, Cordelia Ifeyinwa and OKPOKO, Valentine Obinna

The level of microbial contamination of African palm weevil (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) was carried out to assess the health implications of consumption of the larva in raw and roasted forms. Raw Rhynchophorus phoenicis larva collected from rotting palm at Mgbo, Oba in Idemili Local Government Area and roasted Rhynchophorus phoenicis purchased along Onitsha-Owerri expressway all in Anambra State, Nigeria were used for the study. Streak method was used in the assessment of the microbial load in the raw Rhynchophorus phoenicis whereby fluid from intestinal content was inoculated to Nutrient and MacConkey agar and incubated at 37oC for 48 hours, while those on Sabaroud agar was incubated at room temperature for five days. The roasted ones were milled before the plate count method was applied. In this method, one-tenth millilitre (0.1ml) of the 4th part of diluents produced after serial dilution to the concentration of 10-6 was aseptically inoculated into MacConkey agar (3 plates), Nutrient agar (3 plates) and Sabaroud agar (3 plates) respectively. The result showed three species of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in the live APW and three species of bacteria: Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris as well as two species of fungi: Cladosporum spp. and Aspergillus flavus in the roasted Rhynchophorus spp. The total bacterial count in the roasted Rhynchophorus phoenicis was 1.72 x 106 CFU/g while the total fungal count was 4.3 x102 CFU/g. Rhynchophorus phoenicis though reported to be highly nutritious in terms of amino acid profile and presence of unsaturated fatty acid can be a source of food poison if not properly handled in a sanitary manner during collection, processing and post-processing period.

2171 – 2177

Authors: IGBINOSA, Benjamin Igho, IZEGAEGBE, Joshua Idowu, OKAFOR, Fabian Chukuemeka and UHUNWANGHO, David Ayowie

The survey for freshwater snails in streams, rivers and a lake in Ovia Southwest LGA of Edo State, Nigeria was carried out from June to November 2013. Samples were collected by using a sweep-net and by handpicking of snails within the open water habitat, at marginal areas and on submerged vegetation at edges of the habitats. A total number of 579 individual snails belonging to 6 families, Ampullariidae (Lanistes varicus), Mutelidae (Aspatharia subreniformis), Thiaridae (Melanoides tuberculata), Bulimlidae (Bulimulus teniussimus, Drymaeus multilineatus), Bithyniidae (Gabbiella humerosa), Hygrniidae (Monacha catiana) were collected. In terms of number and distribution, the Lanistes varicus was the most dominant species consisting of 258(44.6%) of the total number of snails collected. 330(56.9%) number of snails were collected from the open water, 209(36.1%) in the marginal areas and 40(6.9%) on submerged vegetation.

2184 – 2188

Authors: FRIMPONG, Michael Kwaku, EMIKPE, Benjamin Obukowho, FOLITSE, Raphael Deladem, JARIKRE, Theophilus Aghogho, ASENSO, Nyarko Timothy, ASARE, Derrick Adu and OKAI, Daniel Boye

There had been a dearth of information on the level of fetal wastages in slaughtered pigs in West African countries other than Nigeria. This study evaluates the fetal losses due to the slaughtering of pregnant pigs at the Kumasi abattoir in Kumasi, Ghana. The ages of the fetuses were estimated using the standard technique with the influence of sex, age and breed of pig on fetal loss being evaluated. Data were subjected to descriptive and quantitative analysis. 2817 pigs were slaughtered during the period of the study with a monthly average of 563.1739(61.73%) were sows and 430(29.27%) were pregnant. 141(28.20%) sows were slaughtered in January, constituting the highest throughout the period of the study with corresponding fetal loss of 616(76.60%). Most of the fetuses wasted in this study were recorded in the second and third trimester (83.51%). The percentage of fetal wastage (the total number of fetuses wasted divided by the total number of pigs slaughtered) was 2117(75%) in this study. The results revealed a high incidence of fetal losses at the Kumasi abattoir. There is need to advocate for routine veterinary checks and interventions in order to reduce the high level of fetal wastage which call for strategic planning and decision-making on animal food security in Ghana.

2203 – 2211

Authors: BABAMALE, Olarewaju Abdulkareem, ADENEKAN, Tawakalitu A. and UGBOMOIKO, Uade Samuel

Malaria control is a major challenge in many endemic countries including Nigeria; implementation of evidence-based control strategies is therefore needful in the sustainability of malaria control programmes. A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the perception of two communities in Oyo state using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Of 500 people enrolled for the study, Ninety-six percent of respondents reported to have heard of malaria. Though the majority reported mosquito as the major transmitter of the infection only 22.6% has adequate knowledge of the correct transmission route. Misconception about the causative agent of malaria is high, only 13.2% mentioned Plasmodium species as the causative agent. The knowledge about the ecology of mosquitoes was greatly applauded in the study area. Health-seeking behaviours and possession of insecticidal treated bet net were found to be associated with the socioeconomic status of the individual. Despite the high knowledge about malaria demonstrated in this study, some misconceptions about transmission and symptoms still exist. The need to improve the spreading of information about malaria through rural dispensaries and primary health centres is essential for resounding success to be recorded.

2218 – 2222

Authors: NNAJI, Theophilus, UDEGBUNAM, Sunday, OGBANYA, Kenneth and OFFOR, Gregory

An 8-month old Norwich terrier breed of dog that presented with bilateral prolapse of the third eyelid glands was treated surgically using the modified Morgan’s pocket technique in combination with the tacking of the third eyelids to the periorbital periosteum. The physiologic, haematological and biochemical parameters taken before treatment were all within the normal values. The combined surgical approaches adopted for the treatment were clearly described as well as the post-operative management. The patient had a rapid positive response without recurrence even after 4 months, unlike what is always seen when the modified Morgan’s pocket technique is used alone.

2231 – 2240

Authors: IYAJI, Florence Oyibo, MEDAYEDUPIN, Ifeoluwa Temidayo, ECHI, Paul Chinedu, FALOLA, Oladunni Omoyeni and OMOWAYE, Olaniyi Stephen

Gastrointestinal helminth parasites of Amietophyrnus regularis (African Common Toad) in Anyigba were investigated. A total of 120 specimens were examined for helminth parasites, 113(94.17%) toads were infected, while 7(5.8%) were uninfected. Helminth parasites recovered were 1576, comprising of 1 Cestode: Baerietta jaegerskioeldi (2.50%) and 3 Nematodes: Amplicaecum africanum (92.50%), Cosmocerca ornata (16.67%) and Physaloptera spp. (6.67%). Nematodes had the highest occurrence with A. africanum as the most prevalent. The cestode, B. jaegerskioeldi and the nematode, C. ornata exhibited specific sites of infection, is found in the small intestine and large intestine/rectum, respectively. The small intestine of hosts harboured the highest number of parasites with a prevalence of 90%. Although infection increased with the size of hosts examined, there was no significant difference in the infection of size categories. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the infection of male and female toad hosts (p>0.05). The toads with 1 – 10 worms had the highest frequency of infections, 61(50.83%). Multiple infections were recorded in several of the toad hosts, an indication of the rich parasitic fauna of Amietophyrnus regularis in Anyigba. This study is an attempt to bridge the dearth of information on the helminth parasites associated with Amietophyrnus regularis in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria.

2107 – 2113

Authors: OMELONYE, Kelvin Ebere, OKOLO, Chidinma Adanna, NWIBO, Daniel Don, CHUKWUKA, Christian Onyeka, NWIBO, Mirabel Ifeyinwa and UBACHUKWU, Patience Obiageli

Two months preliminary survey of the prevalence of diarrhoea among children (aged 5 – 10 years) was carried out in Nsukka area of Enugu State, Nigeria. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on the demographic details of the parents and children, prevalence, management and control of diarrhoea among children of this age group. These were distributed to the parents of the children used for the study. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we found that diarrhoea among children of this age was neither correlated with residential location (r = -0.47, p = 0.652), occupation of the parent (r = 0.134, p = 0.194) nor sex of the child (r = 0.092, p = 0.377). However, the educational level of the parents was correlated with childhood diarrhoea (r = 0.346, p = 0.001). These results suggested that the children of less-educated people were more prone to diarrhoeal infection when compared to children of the more educated counterparts.

2120 – 2129

Authors: AGINA, Onyinyechukwu Ada, EZEMA, Wilifred Sunday and NWISHIENYI, Charles Nnachetam

Performing comprehensive health assessments on turkey populations enables one to determine their responses to physiological factors such as sex, breed and environmental stressors. The haemato-biochemical parameters of 58 healthy domestic turkeys of varying breeds and sexes, raised by small scale turkey farmers in Nsukka metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria and the physiological factors (sex and breed) that influence them were determined. All haemato-biochemical procedures were carried out following standard procedures. The mean for the haemato-biochemical parameters was as follows: packed cell volume 30.70 ± 0.63 %; red blood cell count 3.75 ± 0.22 x 106/μl; hemoglobin concentration 12.95 ± 0.62 g/dl; total leukocyte count 3.67 ± 0.09 x 103 /μl; heterophil 2.24 ± 103/μl; lymphocyte 1.36 ± 0.06 x 103/μl; monocyte 0.03 ± 0.00 x 103/μl; eosinophil 0.10 ± 0.02 x 103/μl; basophil 0.01 ± 0.00 x 103/μl; aspartate aminotransferase 73.99 ± 5.40 IU/L; alanine aminotransferase 11.00 ± 2.12 IU/L; alkaline phosphatase 165.19 ± 15.77 IU/L; total proteins 4.64 ± 0.17 g/dl; albumin 2.54 ± 0.12 g/dl; globulin 2.11 ± 0.12 g/dl; cholesterol 157.83 ± 12.81 mg/dl; creatinine 0.98 ± 0.11 mg/dl; uric acid 5.62 ± 0.45 mg/dl. There were no sex-related variations in all the studied haematological and biochemical parameters. It was also found that the local breed had significantly higher (p<0.05) monocyte numbers than the foreign breed (Nicholas large white). This study shall form a basis for establishing a haematobiochemical reference range of values for clinical and scientific uses by avian clinicians for turkey populations in Nsukka.

2136 – 2142

Authors: ASOGWA, Chinweike Norman, EZENWAJIAKU, Francis O., OKOLO, Chidinma Adanna, EKEH, Felicia Nkechi, NWIBO, Daniel Don and CHUKWUKA, Christian Onyeka

The behavioural and serum liver enzyme responses of juvenile catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were evaluated for 72 hours. Thirty-six (36) healthy fishes with standard weight, 20 ± 1.52 g and standard length, 18.25 ± 0.50 cm were used for the experiment in a non-renewable bioassay system. The test fish exhibited stressful behavioural changes such as erratic swimming, vertical swimming, gasping, and body discolouration. The 24 and 48-hours LC50 were determined to be 96.937 and 9.765 mg/ml respectively. Increased serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transferase concentrations were recorded on the final day of the experiment (p<0.05).

2041 – 2047

Authors: ADEWUMI, Adejoke Abeni, IDOWU, Opeyemi Eunice and BAMISILE, Stephen Tolu

The food and feeding habit of the catfish Clarias gariepinus in Egbe Reservoir in Ekiti State, Nigeria was studied using 450 Clarias samples collected between January 2010 and November 2010. Analysis of the stomach contents was done using numerical, frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods. The fish fed mostly on phytoplankton (Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Euglenophyceae) constituting 97.10% by numerical method. Other food items found in the stomach include insects, zooplankton, arthropod parts, detritus and crustaceans which were of secondary importance. Clarias gariepinus in Egbe Reservoir is an omnivore and females had more empty stomachs (55.60%) than males (44.40%). This gender bias could be due to intraspecific competition for the available food in the habitat. The information gathered from this present study serves as a guideline for further research on the reservoir.

2057 – 2062

Authors: AMADI, Anthonia Nnenna C. and NWOKORO, Ijeoma Ugochi

Biological screening of diabetes mellitus was carried out to assess the prevalence of the disease in Obohia Ahiazu, Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State. Glucometer (Accucheck) and Combi-9 strip were used to check for the presence of glucose in blood and urine, respectively. Three hundred (300) subjects were used for the study. Out of the 99 males, 26(26.26%) and 54(26.87%) out of 201 females had pre-diabetes. Thirty-nine (19.14%) females and 14(14.14%) were found to be diabetic. Females were more overweight than males. Urinalysis showed that 7(7.07%) of males and 18 (8.96%) were positive for the presence of glucose in urine. The result from the questionnaire indicated that out of the 268 respondents 71(26.47%) and 87(32.46%) believed that high consumption of sugar and starchy food was the cause of diabetes while 21(7.6%), 8(2.99%), 24(8.96%) and 42(15.67%) attributed diabetes to hereditary, alcohol-induced and no idea about the cause respectively. Symptoms associated with the disease include frequent urination, excessive weakness, sexual dysfunction seventy-seven persons (28.73%) believed that adherence to the diet could help in the management of the disease while 44(16.42%) had no idea of the management procedures. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death globally. There is, therefore, the need for regular screening tests of individuals especially those in the rural areas by government and relevant agencies to diagnose the disease on time minimize or avert the risk of health complications and effect treatment and management techniques. Also, health education and public enlightenment of the populace about the disease intensified.

2071 – 2078

Authors: KHOJASTEH, Seyed Mahdi Banan, OZI, Soraya Ansari‚ BASIRAT, Elaheh, SHEIKHZADEH, Farzam, DEHGHAN, Gholamreza, NEZHAD Daryosh Mohammad and AKHTAR, Nader Farsad

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Rosa canina on some serum biochemical factors of diabetic male rats. Thirty-two (32) male Wistar rats weighting 200 – 250 grams in 4 groups (control, diabetic control, diabetics + 250mg/kg/day extract, diabetics + 500 mg/kg/day extract) were used. Diabetes was induced by STZ (60mg/kg) intraperitoneal injection. The period of the experiment was 4 weeks. At the end of the experiments, the rats were sacrificed and their sera were collected for glucose, creatinine, urea and albumin estimation. The results showed that glucose, creatinine and urea concentrations were significantly increased in the diabetic group (p<0.05), while the serum albumin concentrations were reduced. The levels of glucose, creatinine and urea in treated groups decreased significantly in comparison with the diabetic control group (p<0.05). But albumin concentrations showed no significant changes (p>0.05). The changes of glucose in treatment groups showed no significant differences (p>0.01).

2087 – 2090

Authors: OGUGUA, Victor Nwadiogbu, ANADUAKA, Emeka Godwin, TUFON, Emmanuel and AMACHUKWU, Ogechukwu Chinwe

Diabetes the Killer disease known worldwide has been implicated to generate oxidative stress and Carica papaya has been suggested to manage this effect. This study was therefore aimed at evaluating the antioxidant activity of C. papaya juice in diabetic rats with a view of proposing a management scheme. Adult male Wister rats (n = 8) were divided into three groups: Two experimental groups; group 1(diabetic treated with C. papaya juice), group 2 (diabetic untreated) and control (group 3). Animals were sacrificed 14 days after treatment with C. papaya juice. The blood glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, vitamin C and MDA concentrations were estimated. The results showed that the blood glucose concentration significantly increased (p<0.05) in group 1 (diabetic treated with C. papaya juice) compared to groups 2 and 3. The total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations were highest in the control group compared to the experimental groups (1 and 2). Group 1 showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in the total protein, total cholesterol and vitamin C concentrations compared to group 2 (diabetic untreated). Group 1 (diabetic and treated with C. papaya juice had the highest MDA concentration compared to groups 2 and 3). The present study suggests that C. papaya juice has antioxidant activity that could be beneficial in the management of diabetes. However, C. papaya intake must be rationed since its consumption increases blood glucose concentration and invariably lipid peroxidation.

1925 – 1938

Authors: AJU-AMEH, Onyawoibi Celina and AGWALE, Simon Magaji

Leishmaniasis is a globally widespread parasitic disease of multifaceted clinical manifestations (cutaneous, mucocutaneous, diffuse cutaneous and visceral). They are caused by several species belonging to the genus Leishmania - a kinetoplastic flagellate transmitted exclusively by the bite of the female of the phlebotomine sandfly. The sandfly becomes infected when taking blood from reservoir hosts, which includes man or domestic and wild animals. Most leishmaniasis is zoonotic and humans are infected only accidentally when exposed to the natural transmission cycle. However, in the anthroponotic forms man is the reservoir host. A Leishmania species in a given area is usually maintained by a single reservoir host even if other mammals may sometimes be infected. Identification of the reservoir is a prerequisite for the selection and application of selective control methods. Leishmaniasis poses a public health threat to the people of any nation under its debilitating effects, thus the need for prompt and adequate attention. As of the time of this write up no effective vaccine has been developed to date, but the results of vaccine trials are encouraging. For now, the more conventional methods of control such as vector reduction, elimination of infected reservoirs, personal protection, surveillance, and treatment is the only option.

1946 – 1952

Authors: IBEMENUGA, Keziah Nwamaka and OKEKE, Toochukwu Eugenia

The study evaluated the bacteria quality of freshwater fish caught from Oguta and Agulu Lakes. A total of 24 fish samples consisting of 12 samples from each Lake were sampled for four months. The fish samples were transported to the laboratory, processed and compared. Using a sterile scapel and a pair of sterile scissors, sections of fish scales, gills, gut, skin, liver, intestine and gonads were removed and subjected for bacteriological analysis. A total of eight (8) bacteria isolates were identified from the fish samples. The bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli, Aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Salmonella typhi, Listera monocytogen, Vibrio cholerae, Coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus. The gill yielded the maximum isolation rate of 4310(22.3%) of the total bacteria isolates from fish of Oguta Lake, while the scale had the maximum isolation rate of 2530(27.1%) of the total isolates from fish of Agulu Lake. The common isolates namely Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Coliforms of the family Enterobacteriaceae formed 79.9% of the total bacteria isolates from Oguta Lake fish and 74.1% from Agulu Lake fish. Staphylococcus aureus was insignificant in Oguta Lake fish (19, 0.1%) but was prominent in Agulu Lake fish where it contributed 150 (1.6%) of the total isolates. Of all the bacteria species identified, only Escherichia coli was isolated from the body parts of fish of both Lakes. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were encountered only in the scales and gut of fish of both Lakes. Salmonella typhi occurred only on the scale of Oguta fish. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was recorded only in the gonads of fish of Oguta Lake and in the intestinal parts of the fish of Agulu Lake. The study revealed that the fish from both Lakes is of poor quality and this has serious health implications. Therefore, sewage should be properly treated before disposal into aquatic ecosystems. Fish should be harvested with unpolluted water as well as handled with caution at post-harvest.

1958 – 1963

Authors: NGELE, Kalu Kayong and IBE, Edward

In the research study carried out to determine the prevalence of fasciolopsis among cattle slaughtered at Eke Market abattoir, Afikpo, Ebonyi State Nigeria, faecal samples collected from the rectum of the slaughtered cattle were analysed, using the standard floatation technique (saturated sodium chloride) to recover the ova from the faecal samples. Post mortem examination of the liver and other organs of the slaughtered cattle were also examined for Fasciola species. Of the 256 cattle slaughtered at the Eke Market abattoir between May 2011 – April 2012, 93(37.89%) were found to be positive with F. hepatica, 60(23.44%) were infected with F. gigantica. The prevalence of fasciolopsis on the livers and other organs examined during post mortem examination were 66(25.78%) for F. hepatica and 42(16.41%) for F. gigantica. F. hepatica was the most common fasciolopsis infection in the study area. There was the presence of Balantidium coli infection among the cattle sampled with a prevalence of 46(17.97%). As a result of the high prevalence of fasciolopsis in the study area, it is recommended that veterinary and health officers should inspect the meat slaughtered at the Eke Market before releasing it to the public for consumption. Ranchland should be provided for the cattle herdsmen, which should be devoid of freshwater snails (the intermediate hosts) of Fasciola infections.

1970 – 1975

Authors: IGWEBUIKE, Udensi Maduabuchi, UGWUOKE, Wilfred Ikechukwu and UDOUMOH, Anietie Francis

Morphological characteristics of the dorsal and ventral walls of the oropharynx were studied in ten common pigeons. Gross observation showed that left and right maxillary rhamphotheca constituted the lateral boundaries of the dorsal wall of the oropharynx, while the palate, choana and infundibulum were the prominent structures in this region. The palate, which lacked palatine papillae on its mucosal surface, was characterized by a median palatine ridge and two lateral palatine ridges. The choanal slit appeared as a roughly triangular opening with a narrow tapered rostral terminus and a broad rounded caudal border. Its cavity was partially demarcated into two compartments by a median ridge. The ventral wall of the oropharynx presented as a concave interramal depression, whose lateral boundaries were formed by the left and right mandibular rhamphotheca. The caudal surface of the ventral wall of the oropharynx exhibited a mucosal elevation, the laryngeal mound and an oval opening, the glottis. Histologically, the entire mucosal surface of the oropharyngeal cavity was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Beneath this epithelium was a dense irregular connective tissue, the lamina propria-submucosa which contained numerous glandular acini, blood vessels, bundles of skeletal muscle fibres, as well as solitary and aggregated lymphoid follicles. These observations were discussed about the function of the oropharynx in procurement, maintenance/movement of food in the oral cavity and swallowing of the food bolus. It was concluded that the major morphological adaptations of the oropharynx are a reflection of the mode of feeding and the nature of the diet consumed by the common pigeon.

1982 – 1986

Authors: EZE, Chinedu Athanasius, OGBANYA, Kenneth Chiedozie, EZE, Didacus Chukwuemeka and OKONKWO, Noble

Hoof is the commonest site of lameness in horses; the condition is exacerbated by infection resulting from contaminants which are very common in their environment. This study determined the incidence of hoof lameness of horses in the Obollo-Afor market. Relationship between lameness and sex, type of lameness, level of different limb involvements among the affected horses, presence of Staphylococcal contaminant and its phenotype identification as well as the antibiogram of the hoof wound isolates were determined. One hundred and seventy horses were presented for sale during the study period (May – July 2012). The ratio of males to females was 7:3. Approximately, thirty-four percent (34.1%) of both sexes have one type of lameness or the other. In the male and female populations, 38.4% and 22.2% were affected by lameness, respectively. The major types of lameness shown by the affected horses were either fore (male – 12.8%, female – 8.9%) or hind limbs (male – 22.4%, female – 11.1%) as well as wobbling (5.4% of both sexes). Staphylococcus species were isolated in 76% of the samples collected and of this number, 22% was haemolytic while the rest were non-haemolytic isolates. Both haemolytic and non-haemolytic isolates were susceptible to Gentamicin, Tigecycline in that order.

1994 – 1997

Authors: AKUNNE, C. E., EWUIM, S. C., CHUKWUNYERE, L. C., ABAJUE, M. C. and ONONYE, B. U.

An investigation was made on the insect fauna in a fallow plot at the temporary site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka using pitfall traps. The study was carried out for a period of seven weeks in the months of June and July 2013. The pitfall traps were baited using Ogiri (food condiment) made from mesquite seed. A total of 193 adult insects were captured. The results showed that out of the six insect orders captured, Hymenoptera recorded the highest number of insects (142) while Dermaptera had the least number of insects (5). Twelve families and fourteen species were found to be associated with the pitfall traps baited with Ogiri from mesquite seed. The bait attracted the highest number of insects from the family Formicidae (120) followed by the family Eurytomidae (16), while the family Calliphoridae (1) had the least number of insects.

2004 – 2011

Authors: ALBOOSHOKEH, Seyed Nader, TAHMOORESPUR, Mojtaba and NASSIRY, Mohamad Reza

The aim of this study was to investigate the nucleotide sequence of the COX1 gene in the mitochondrial genome of Khorasan native chicken and detect the possible mutations in the genome. For this purpose, after sampling and extracting DNA from the whole blood samples, the COX1 gene was amplified using specific primers and cloned in the pTG19-T plasmid of the DH5α strain of Escherichia coli bacteria. Finally, the recombinant plasmids were extracted from positive colonies and sequenced. The results of the nucleotide sequence indicated maximum similarity with the same sequence in the Gallus gallus mitochondrial genome. Comparing these two sequences identified the presence of six nucleotide differences. However, only three-point mutations led to the altering of dissimilar amino acids. Also, a protein BLAST query showed that the sequence had a similarity of 99% in 100% coverage to cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1. The protein BLAST query suggested the conserved domain cytochrome C, in a family which is part of a complex IV. This complex converts the oxygen into the water by electrons transfer from reduced cytochrome in a reaction associated with mitochondrial electron transport chain. The findings may be useful in identifying phenotypes in poultry.

2018 – 2022

Authors: NNAJI, Theophilus, UBADIAGHA, Uzoamaka and UDEGBULAM, Sunday

Thoracic malformations in animals induce exercise intolerance and reduce the reproductive performance due to respiratory distress. Some of these deformities can be corrected by surgical intervention. Frontosagittal and vertebral indices are crucial for diagnosis and surgical corrections of these anomalies. This information is not available in West African dwarf goat (WADG). The normal radiographic anatomy of the thoracic cage and the thoracic indices were evaluated in 10 West African dwarf goats of both sexes (5 male and 5 female), age one and a half to three years using dorsoventral and lateral projections. The mean frontosagittal index (FSI) was 1.11 ± 0.004 and 1.13 ± 0.03 for the male and female WADG respectively while the mean vertebral index was 13.11 ± 0.34 and 13.00 ± 0.79, respectively. There was no significant difference in these indices between the sexes. This study shows that sex is not a key factor in the determination of FSI and VI of WADS either for diagnostic purposes or for quantitative assessment of the degree of surgical correction of thoracic cage anomalies.

2027 – 2034

Authors: BOLU, Steven Abiodun, ADERIBIGBE, Simeon Adedeji and OLAWALE, Simon

This study examined the effects of different treatments of poultry faecal matter on potential greenhouse gas emissions and its field application. Poultry litters were randomly assigned to four treatments viz; salt solution, alum, air exclusion and the control (untreated). Alum treated faeces had higher (p<0.05) percentage nitrogen retention than salt and air-tight treatments, which had higher (p<0.05) moisture content when compared with the control. The pH level was lowest in alum treated faecal matter (6.03, p<0.05), and highest in the control (7.37, p<0.05). Similarly, alum treated faeces had a significantly lower mean temperature (28.58oC, p<0.05) control, salt and air-tight treatments, with air-tight treated faeces having the highest temperature (29.440C, p<0.05). Nitrogen depletion rate was significantly lower (p<0.05) in alum treated faecal matter than in salt and air-tight treatments. Post-storage, samples treated with alum increased substantially (≥46.51%) in the total microbial count, the total viable count was lower (p>0.05; 2.83×106cfu/ml) in air-excluded treatment. Maize seeds planted on alum treated and air-excluded litter soils had an average germination percentage (GP) range of 65 – 75% and 54 – 75%, respectively. These figures were found to be mildly compared to the control which averaged a germination index of 75%. Sorghum plots recorded a mean value of 99% GP on alum treated soil two weeks after planting, slightly surpassing air-tight treated soils with a mean value of 89% GP. Average maize height was 48cm and 23cm for alum and air-tight treatment, respectively after 21 days of planting, in contrast to the mean height of 25cm on the sorghum plots. Seeds planted on salt-treated plots did not germinate. The study suggests that alum treated poultry litter was superior in mitigating the tendency for nitrogenous losses as evident in its lower nitrogen depletion rate, pH, weight, temperature and potential field application index.