Animal Research International

1045 – 1048

Authors: NWAMBA, Helen Ogochukwu and CHIDOBEM, Ikechukwu Joseph

The comparative effect of exposing Clarias gariepinus juveniles (100.20 + 0.8g) to different concentrations of crude oil products and detergent were studied. Bonny Light Crude oil (BLCO), Premium motor spirit (PMS), Dual purpose kerosene (DPK) and Ariel Enzymax Detergent (AED) were respectively applied at three concentrations, 2.00, 4.00and 6.00mi/L as well as a control experiment 0.00ml/L with no toxicant for two hours (2 hours) toxicity period. Increased serum alkaline phosphatase and low degree of toxicity were recorded in the fish samples exposed to the various pollutants than in the fish control. The comparatively low toxicity noticed within the sample fish was attributed to the reduced length of exposure to the pollutants this probably lowered the pressure of the toxicant on organs of the fish.

1054 – 1058

Authors: EKECHUKWU, Nkiru Esther and ELUWA, Michael

Both the cultivated and the wild spinach (Amaranthus species) have been found to be host to an important beetle pest Gasteroclisus rhomboidalis. The longevity of the beetles was studied under a variety of conditions. It was observed that the life span of the beetles varied widely with the beetles capable of leaving up to 70 days (about 42 days 0n the average). The beetles generally lived longer under the ambient condition than inside room condition. Studies on the survivorship of the immature stages of the beetles revealed that the larva has the highest mortality rate amongst stages with the egg being the highest surviving stage. Studies on the fecundity of the female adult beetles showed that about 80% of their life span is utilised in egg laying. On the average, about 2½ eggs are laid per day (i.e. about 5 eggs laid within 2 days).

1063 – 1071

Authors: IVOKE, Njoku

A twelve-month epizootic survey was conducted to evaluate the helminth fauna of the Nigerian strain of the black rat, Rattus rattus from six microecological habitats in Nsukka area of Nigeria and to assess the zoonotic and public health implications of the findings. Altogether 1458 rats (56.5 % males and 43.5 % females) were trapped and examined for helminths. A total of 1098 rats (55.7 % males and 44.3% females) harboured helminth parasites thus providing and overall prevalence of 75.3% and a mean worn burden of 1.3. The between-sex difference was statistically significant (2 =2.64, P < 0.05) with more males (53.2 %) than females (46.8 %) harbouring helminth parasites. There was no marked variation in the infection pattern in the rat host from the different habitats, but the parasite prevalence and distribution appeared to be season-dependent. Parasites (n = 1469) recovered were of 3 helminth groups (nematodes 72.4%, cestodes 27.5%, and trematodes 0.6%). Six nematode species identified were Nippostrongylus braziliensis (19.8%), Aspicularis tetraptera (17.5%), Syphacia muris 17.0 %), Angiostrongylus cantonensis 16.9%), Strongyloides ratti (16.0%) and Capillaria hepatica (12.8%). Also recovered from their rat hosts were the following six cestode species; Hymenolepis diminuta (22.7%), Taenia taeniaeformis (17.4%), T. muris (17.1%), T. hydatigera (16.6%), H. nana (16.4%) and Raillietina muris (9.8%). Trematodes (n=9) belonging to 3 species, Plagiochis muris, Platynosomoides muris and Corrigia muris were also recovered from five infected rats. A total of 103 rat hosts harboured single infections of nematodes, 818 (98.9%) had combined nematode/cestode infections, 5 (6.0%) haboured a combination of nematode/trematode whereas 4 (0.5%) showed concurrent cestode/trematode infections. The influence of seasonal fluctuations on the parasite-host relationship, life cycle patterns of the parasites and immunological potentials of the rat hosts are discussed.

1077 – 1081

Authors: OCHIOGU, Izuchukwu Shedrack, OGUEJIOFOR, Chike Fidelis and NWAGBO, Ambrose Nnaemeka

This study investigated whether strange males in Bruce and Whitten effects also include males placed in the same cage with females. Forty albino mice (25 females and 15 males) were used for the study. The mice were divided into five groups (A - E) with five females each, and 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 male(s) respectively. During both first and second rounds of matings, all the females conceived and littered successfully. In both rounds of matings, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the mean number of matings before conception, mean gestation length and mean weight of new-born among all the female groups. However, the second round of matings recorded a higher mean number of matings before conception, greater mean weight of new-born and slightly longer gestation length than the first round. In both rounds, group E females had a significantly (p < 0.05) longer mean length of time before conception than group C females, but did not differ from groups A, B and D. Generally all the groups in second round exhibited longer period before conception than in the first round. In the first round of matings, both the mean litter size and group weights of B and E were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of group D, whereas in the second round, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in both mean litter size and weight among all the five groups. Results showed that male mice placed in the same cage with female mice were not seen as strange by the females.

1086 – 1092

Authors: ASSAN, N. and NYONI K.

Pedigree yearling records from 1021 local Tuli calves born at Matopos Research Station were analyzed for non genetic factors, genetic parameters and trends on the yearling weight. It was found that sire, year of birth, sex of calf, age of dam had significant effect (p < 0.01) on all growth trait. The inconsistency of literature estimates indicated the importance of estimation of environmental factors that affect yearling weight within specific experimental herds and environment. Model incorporating both direct and maternal additive genetic effect, covariance and correlations of direct-maternal and permanent environmental maternal effects was adopted for the study. Direct and maternal heritability estimates of 0.18 ± 0.001 and 0.04 ± 0.001 were observed, respectively. Direct-maternal genetic correlation was low and positive, 0.07± 0.012. The regression of average direct breeding values on year was almost zero and the regression of average maternal breeding values on year 0.03 kg/yr. Correction of environmental effects was necessary to increase accuracy for selection of yearling weight in local Tuli cattle. Maternal genetic effects should be included in a model of covariance components estimation at 12 months of age.

1102 – 1106

Authors: OKOYE, Ikem Chris, OBIEZUE, Nduka Rose and MGBEMENA, Uzoamaka Sandra

Seventy-seven Bulinus snail species were fed for eight weeks with eleven diets consisting of different feed-formulations and vegetables. Snails reared exclusively on grower’s mash, corn fibre meal and fish meal did not survive for up to two weeks. The result from this investigation indicates that there is no significant difference in body growth gain between lettuce + blood meal, lettuce + groundnut fibre meal, blood meal, lettuce and cabbage. But they showed significant difference with lettuce + corn fibre meal and lettuce + fish meal. It is therefore recommended that in a situation where lettuce which is well known as the snail’s food is not available as during the peak of rainy season, feeds like blood meal and cabbage can be used as viable substitutes for rearing experimental Bulinus snail species in the laboratory. Also, lettuce + blood meal has been shown by this study as the best feed formulation for the optimal growth and development of Bulinus sp in the laboratory.