Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

6

Authors: Eke, S. S., Omalu, I. C. J., Ochaguba, J. E., Urama, A. C., Hassan, S. C., Otuu, C. A. and Okafor, I. D.

Livestock and their products are the major source of animal protein. They also play a crucial role in the economy of most nations including Nigeria. However, parasitism presents a major constraint limiting livestock production in most developing countries. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites of commercial sheep and goats in Minna Abattoir, Niger Sate, Nigeria. A total of one hundred and sixty-eight (168) faecal samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites using saturated sodium chloride floatation techniques. An overall prevalence rate of 117 (69.64%) was recorded. Among the selected ruminants used, a prevalence rate of 48 (63.16%) and 69 (75.0%) was obtained for sheep and goats respectively. Seven (7) gastrointestinal parasites were detected; these were Strongyloides spp, Trichuris spp, Haemonchus spp., Eimeria spp., Taenia spp., Moniezia spp. and Fasciola spp. Among the parasite detected, Haemonchus spp. had the highest rate of infection 30 (25.6%) followed by Strongyloides spp. 23 (19.65%) while the least prevalence rate was recorded in Moniezia spp. 8 (6.8%). Overall, male ruminants were also more infected (Sheep: 64.44% and goats:77.78% than their females counterparts (sheep: 61.29% and goats: 71.05%). The older ruminants were more infected (sheep: 69.49% and goats: 73.91%). Chi–square analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) on the infection rate in relation to gender and age. The results of this study suggest high prevalence of gastrointestinal parasitic infection among ruminants; therefore, effective control measures should be put in place to combat the despicable effects of gastrointestinal parasites on ruminants.

7

Authors: Shehu S. A., Bello A., Danmaigoro A., Abdulrasheed H. A., Atabo S. M. and Mahmud M. A.

There is dearth of information on the biometry, clinical and applied anatomy of the head region, general morphology on the indigenous breed of sheep in particular, hence led to the motivation behind this study. This study gives the first biometric description of the skull of Yankasa indigenous breed of sheep in Nigeria. Twenty-five heads (5 [0 – 6 months], 5 [6 months – 1 year], 5 [1 – 2 years], 5 [2 – 3 years] and 5 [ 3 years and above]) were collected from purposively and randomly sampled Yankasa male sheep from a slaughter slab and processed for biometrical investigation. Several biometrical measurements were recorded from each of the 25 skulls. From these, simple descriptive statistical analysis was obtained. The values obtained from these groups were increasing with ages. This study has described the biometric characteristics of the Yankasa sheep and concludes that a contribution for comparative model for other African local ovine breeds in general and Nigerian ovine breeds in particular has being made. Being the first study of its kind in Nigeria, it makes a significant contribution to a better understanding of the Yankasa sheep skull. It is envisaged that the results obtained in this study will be useful as baseline data in anatomical and archaeological studies.