Animal Research International

1242 – 1252

Authors: EJERE, Vincent Chikwendu and OKPARA, Helen Tochi

Species type and pattern of distribution of spittlebugs was studied from 6th March to 15th December 2009 within the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus. Three spittlebug species namely, Deois flavopicta, Aphrophora saratogensis and Philaenus spumarius were identified within the University campus. Whereas A. saratogensis was most abundant in September, D. flavopicta occurred most in October while P. spumarius was most abundant in November. The population of nymphs was found to increase with increasing rainfall and declined as the dry season began. A total of thirty-two (32) host plant species consisting of grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees were identified as habitats for the three spittlebug species. Whereas D. flavopicta and A. saratogensis inhabited only grasses and herbs, P. spumarius inhabited a mixture of trees and shrubs. Although no obvious effect of the activities of D. flavopicta and A. saratogensis was noticed on host plants, there was flaking, deflowering and fruiting, as well as drying up effects on Ricinus communis during heavy invasion by larvae of P. spumarius.

1257 – 1263

Authors: NNADI, Pius Ajanwachukwu, OMEKE, Benjamin Chigozie and OKPE, Godwin Chidozie

The effect of Cassava replacing maize in the diet of grower pigs was investigated. A total of thirty six 5 week old male weaner large white \landrace cross pigs were used for the study. These were divided into four groups A – D ̎S (n = 9)̎̎ following two weeks of acclimatization. The basic ingredients in their diets were soybean meal (SBM) palm kennel cake (PKC), maize, cassava flour, vitamin premix and sodium chloride. Four diets A – D were formulated using these ingredients. Diet A had maize only as the source of energy while diets B, C and D had maize replaced with 50, 75 and 100% cassava respectively. Groups a, B, C and D were maintained on diets A, B, C and D respectively from week 7 of age until they attained 5 months of age. Observations for clinical conditions like anorexia, diarrhea, fever and signs of hydrocyanic acid intoxications and sexual behavioral patterns related to puberty were made throughout the course of study. Moreover, weekly determination of live weights and testicular growth were also carried out. There was no overt manifestation of any abnormality by the members of the maize replaced cassava diet. At 15th weeks of age, members of group B and C were showing signs of sexual maturity followed a week later by those of group A and at 19h week by all the groups. Performance of groups C and D members were generally inferior to those of groups A and B. (P < 0.05). However, all the groups had comparable testicular diameter. It was concluded that inclusion of cassava meal in the diet of grower pigs promotes growth and early maturity. To avoid cyanide poisoning the cassava processing should be done properly while protein source should be such as to prevent precipitating its deficiency due to the low protein value of cassava root meal.

1267 – 1273

Authors: NAANDAM, Jakper and IDDRISU, R

A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two forms of dawadawa pods extracts against strongyle worm ova loads in sheep from November, 2008 to January, 2009 at the Animal Science Farm, University for Development Studies. Twenty Djanlloke sheep were used for the study. A completely randomized design was employed. Three levels of dawadawa pods extracts; boiled pod extracts (T1), pounded and soaked pod extracts (T2) and control (T3) were used as treatments. Strongyle ova levels were monitored monthly after treatment. Ova counts of Strongyle tended to decrease in the sheep through out the study period. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in mean monthly ova counts of Strongyle between November and December for T2 but not for T1 or the control. No significant differences (P>0.05) were recorded between or within treatments for the months of December and January.

1281 – 1286

Authors: ADEYEMI, Samuel Olusegun

The food and feeding adaptations of Synodontis resupinatus at Idah area of River Niger, Kogi State Nigeria were studied. Fish samples were collected from July to December 2007; the stomach contents were analyzed using frequency of occurrence method. The fish is a omnivore, feeding mainly on phytoplankton, diatoms, plant leaves and seed, fish scales, crustacean, insect larvae, pupae, worms, fish parts and detritus. The juveniles showed more indignation towards phytoplankton, diatoms and plant parts while the adults exhibited more diverse and complex feeding habits.

1294 – 1303

Authors: AKA, Lawrence Okonkwo and NNAJI, Theophilus Okafor

This trial describes the effect of intraruminal infusion of sodium selenite on the in-sacco rumen degradability of a legume, Centrosema pubescens and a grass, Pennisetum purpereum in West African dwarf (WAD) sheep. A total of sixteen WAD sheep of an average body weight, 16.19 ± 2.63 kg were used for this study. A 4 x 4 Latin square design of four sheep and four sodium selenite treatments (doses) for each forage in both the experimental (group A) and control group (group B) was adopted. Using the nylon bag technique, percentage disappearance of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) fractions as well as their degradation constants were determined at time intervals of 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours following daily intraruminal infusions of 50, 100, 150 and 200µg of sodium selenite per sheep within each Latin square. The results of the study showed that addition of sodium selenite improved rumen degradability of feed fractions when compared with the control. All the concentrations of sodium selenite significantly (p < 0.05) increased the percentage disappearance of all the feed fractions, in a dose dependent manner, compared to the control particularly up to a maximum dose of 150µg beyond which a decline in degradability was observed for all the feed fractions. The results of the study also showed significant correlation (r2 = 0.56) between period of incubation and percentage disappearance of feed fractions for both forages with relatively more time required for disappearance of DM, OM and CP in the grass (Pennisetum purpereum) than the legume (Centrosema pubescencs). It was therefore concluded that sodium selenite at a maximum concentration of 150µg, when infused into the rumen, is safe and improves rumen degradability of virtually all forage fractions. Thus sodium selenite could be valuable as a feed additive in ruminant diets particularly to improve the rumen degradability of probably more fibrous, low protein feedstuffs. This calls for a focus on sodium selenite as a possible manipulator of rumen function for efficient utilization of poorly degraded feedstuffs.