Ivermectin-induced Reproductive Toxicity in Rabbit Bucks and the Protective Role of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract and Vitamin C

This study investigated the adverse effects of ivermectin (IVM) on semen quality and hormonal levels in rabbit bucks and evaluated the protective role of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MO) and vitamin C (VC). Twenty-five rabbit bucks were divided into five groups: control (normal saline), IVM-only (0.4 mg/kg weekly), IVM+MO (0.4 mg/kg IVM + 200 mg/kg MO), IVM+VC (0.4 mg/kg IVM + 200 mg/kg), and IVM+MO+VC (0.4 mg/kg IVM + 200 mg/kg MO + 200 mg/kg VC). Semen parameters (volume, sperm count, motility, morphology, livability) and serum hormones (testosterone, FSH, LH) were assessed after 8 weeks. Results revealed significant (P=.05) declines in semen quality and hormonal levels in the IVM group compared to controls, with improvements observed in supplemented groups. The IVM+MO+VC group showed the most notable recovery, nearing control values for sperm count (105.3 vs. 132.0 x10⁶/mL), motility (69.33% vs. 83.33%), and testosterone (4.33 vs. 5.07 ng/mL). The study concludes that IVM induces reproductive toxicity through oxidative stress and endocrine disruption, which MO and VC mitigate through antioxidant actions. Combined supplementation proved most effective, suggesting its potential as a protective strategy in breeding males. Recommendations include cautious IVM use in reproductive animals and adjunct antioxidant supplementation to preserve fertility

The Hepatoprotective Effects of Euphorbia hirta in ameliorating Paracetamol -induced Liver Injury in Rats

Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity is a significant global health concern, leading to toxicity and chronic liver conditions. While synthetic hepatoprotective drugs exist, their associated side effects necessitate the search for safer alternatives. Euphorbia hirta, known for its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, has been explored for its potential in mitigating liver damage. This study investigates the protective effects of E. hirta leaf extracts on paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Fresh E. hirta leaves were collected, air-dried, and pulverized before aqueous extraction. The extract was obtained by soaking 250 g of powdered leaves in 2.5 L of distilled water for 72 hours, followed by filtration, concentration, and drying. Acute toxicity tests classified the extract as practically non-toxic, with an LD₅₀ exceeding 5000 mg/kg. Thirty-five male Wistar rats (150–220 g) were randomized into five groups (n=5 per group). The "Negative Control" group received standard feed and water, while the “Model Group” was administered paracetamol (150 mg/kg orally) to induce hepatotoxicity. A “Positive group” received paracetamol and silymarin (150 mg/kg / 50 mg/kg), while two treatment groups received paracetamol alongside E. hirta extracts at doses of 125 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg, respectively. Treatments were administered orally for seven days. Liver function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were assessed through biochemical and histological analyses. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured, while histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis of Bax protein expression were conducted. Results showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in ALT and AST levels in treated groups compared to the paracetamol-only group. Histological findings indicated preserved liver architecture and reduced Bax protein expression, confirming E. hirta’s hepatoprotective potential. This study suggests that E. hirta could serve as a natural hepatoprotective alternative. Further research should focus on isolating active compounds and conducting clinical trials to validate its efficacy and safety for potential pharmaceutical applications

The Growth Performance and Linear Body Measurements of Mongrel Rabbits in a Tropical Environment

This study investigates the growth performance and linear body measurements of mongrel rabbits raised under tropical conditions, providing empirical evidence for their viability as a sustainable protein source in Nigeria. A total of sixty progenies were used to evaluate growth traits comprising of body weight and linear body parameters in mongrel rabbits, estimate phenotypic correlations among growth traits and develop regression models to predict body weight using linear body measurements. Body weight and linear body measurements comprising; Ear length, Heart girth, Body length, Fore-limb, Hind limb and Tail length were taken from 8 weeks to 16 weeks of age. Results showed that age exerted (P < 0.05) significant influence on all growth traits. During the study period, a positive and substantial correlation was found between body weight and all linear body parameters. This implies that, an improvement in any of linear parameters will bring about an improvement in body weight vice versa. Body weight was significantly predicted using linear body measurements with high to medium degree of validity. Higher validity was observed in the multiple model when more traits where fitted into the prediction equation

Impact of Varying Sewage Effluent Concentrations on Growth and Germination of Capsicum Seeds: A Comparative Study of Atarodo and Shombo Species

Over the years, direct irrigation with untreated urban sewage has been found to negatively impact plant growth and yield. This study evaluated the effects of various concentrations of treated sewage effluent (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% v/v, diluted with distilled water) on the germination and growth of two Capsicum species: Capsicum chinense (Atarodo) and Capsicum annuum (Shombo). A 2×5 factorial experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. Parameters measured biweekly included plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area (up to the 12th week), germination percentage at 10 days, and days to seedling emergence. Sewage effluent was characterized for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), with significant means separated by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test. Results showed significant differences in days to seedling emergence between species (P<0.001). Plant height differed significantly at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 12 (P<0.01), with marginal significance at week 10 (P<0.05). Leaf area and number of leaves per plant also varied significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). Germination percentage was not significantly affected by sewage effluent concentration, though 40% of treatment combinations achieved 50–70% germination success. Moderate effluent concentrations (25–50%) promoted early growth, while undiluted effluent (100%) reduced germination and growth due to high salinity and potential toxicity. These findings suggest that controlled use of treated sewage effluent can enhance Capsicum growth, but untreated sewage is detrimental

Growth Performance and Haematological Evaluation in Female Rabbit Fed Diets Containing Supplemental Levels of Dried Date (Phoenix dactylifera) Fruit Meal

This study was carried out to assess the growth performance and haematological profile of female rabbits that were fed dried date fruit meal (DDFM) as supplement in their diets. Thirty-six (36) female rabbits (does) were used for the study. The rabbit does were randomly allotted to 4 experimental groups in a completely randomized design with 9 does in each treatment group. The does in each treatment group were regrouped into 3 replications with 3 animals per replicate. The four experimental diets containing the dried date fruit meal at 0.00, 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50% supplemental levels respectively, were tagged T1, T2. T3, and T4. The study lasted for 168 days (24 weeks). The growth parameters that were assessed in the study were initial body weight, final body weight, total and daily body weight gain, total and daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Blood samples were collected at the end of the 24 weeks study from each replicate for haematological analysis to evaluated packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (HB), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and lymphocytes. The results revealed that there were significant differences (P=.05) in final body weight, total body weight gain, daily body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of the does across the treatments. The results revealed significant effects (P=.05) of the DDFM on Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Platelet count, and Haemoglobin (Hb) concentration. The PCV value was highest for the does fed diet T3 (36.67%), which was significantly higher than the values recorded for the animals fed on diets T1 (30.33%) and T2 (30.67%). Conclusion: including DDFM as supplement in rabbit does diets at 1.00% can improve growth traits and haematological indices, to enhance the overall health status of rabbits

Hemipteran Insect Pests Associated with Different Agricultural Crops from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (M.S), India

A field investigation was conducted in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, from May 2023 to April 2024 to look into the seasonal occurrence of hemipteran pests in different agricultural sectors. In this study, 10 hemipteran insect species from 9 genera, 6 families, and 8 subfamilies were collected from the study area. The Aphididae family was the most abundant. This study aimed to give a brief overview of hemipteran insects and the damages they cause to agricultural crops in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district

Nutrient Fluxes and their Effects on Food Web Stability in Aquatic Systems

Nutrient dynamics are essential in determining the structure, functionality, and long-term stability of food chains and food webs within ecosystems. Through major biogeochemical cycles, such as those of nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and sulphur; nutrients are continually cycled and exchanged between living organisms and their physical environment. These cycles govern the availability of critical nutrients necessary for primary producers, thereby shaping the foundational levels of trophic systems and driving the flow of energy through successive trophic levels. Changes in nutrient supply influence species diversity, trophic relationships, and the overall productivity of biomass. While balanced nutrient inputs support biodiversity and promote ecosystem stability, excessive nutrient loading can disrupt food web dynamics, triggering problems such as eutrophication, loss of species, and imbalances across trophic levels; commonly referred to as the "paradox of enrichment." Additionally, nutrient recycling through detritus-based processes and consumer activities creates feedback mechanisms that can either buffer or amplify ecological fluctuations depending on prevailing environmental factors. Overall, the interactions between nutrient cycles and trophic dynamics underscore the critical need to manage nutrient inputs carefully to preserve ecological health across both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Enhancement of Reproductive Performance in Rabbit Bucks through Ethanolic Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola) Supplementation: A Dose-Response Study

This study looked into how the ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola, commonly known as bitter kola, affects the semen quality and hormonal profile of rabbit bucks. A total of twenty-four sexually mature rabbit bucks, aged between 6 to 8 months, were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each, following a Completely Randomized Design. Group A was given distilled water as a control, while Groups B, C, and D received the ethanolic bitter kola extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively, administered orally every 12 hours for eight weeks. Semen samples were collected at weeks 0, 4, and 8 using an artificial vagina, and blood samples were taken for hormonal assays using ELISA. Phytochemical analysis showed that the extract contained flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and steroids. The results indicated that the 200 mg/kg dose significantly enhanced semen parameters by week 8, including semen volume (0.74±0.21 mL compared to 0.59±0.14 mL in the control), sperm motility (73.6±8.9% vs 63.8±10.1%), sperm concentration (193±35×10⁶/mL vs 167±28×10⁶/mL), total sperm count (143±40×10⁶ vs 99±28×10⁶), sperm viability (78.2±8.7% vs 70.3±7.8%), normal morphology (80.8±6.2% vs 77.9±5.7%), membrane integrity (76.9±9.0% vs 73.1±8.2%), and semen pH (7.23±0.21 vs 7.09±0.18). Additionally, significant increases were noted in testosterone (2.46±0.37 ng/mL vs 1.89±0.30 ng/mL), luteinizing hormone (0.91±0.15 mIU/mL vs 0.74±0.12 mIU/mL), and follicle-stimulating hormone (0.59±0.10 mIU/mL vs 0.46±0.08 mIU/mL) levels. The 100 mg/kg dose showed some improvements, while the 400 mg/kg dose yielded no significant benefits, indicating a dose-dependent effect. These findings demonstrate that ethanolic extract of Garcinia kola at 200 mg/kg optimally enhances reproductive performance in rabbit bucks through improved semen quality and hormonal stimulation

Gut Microbiota Diversity and Growth Performance in the Three Genotypes (Normal Feathered, Frizzled Feathered and Naked Neck) of Improved Nigerian Indigenous Chickens in Uyo

This study investigated the gut microbiota composition and growth performance of three genotypes of improved Nigerian indigenous chickens; Normal Feathered (NF), Frizzled Feathered (FF), and Naked Neck (NN) raised under intensive management conditions. A total of 200 day-old FUNAAB-Alpha chicks were reared for eight weeks at the University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm. Growth parameters, including body weight and linear body measurements, were recorded weekly. Cecal samples were collected from 12 birds (four per genotype) for microbial analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing on a PacBio platform. Bioinformatics analysis was performed with QIIME2, SILVA databases, and PICRUSt2 to identify taxa, assess diversity indices, and predict functional roles. Results revealed that Bacteroidota and Firmicutes dominated the gut microbiota across genotypes, with Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillus crispatus emerging as key species. Notably, the Naked Neck genotype exhibited superior growth performance, with significantly higher body weight at weeks 6 and 8 (p<0.05). Sex significantly influenced growth, with males consistently outperforming females. The findings suggest that host genotype and sex significantly shape gut microbial composition and growth traits in Nigerian indigenous chickens. These insights provide a foundation for improving poultry productivity through genotype selection and microbiome-informed management strategies

Nutrigenomics and Molecular Nutrition Approaches in Livestock Development: A Review

Nutrigenomics and molecular nutrition represent innovative approaches in livestock development, providing insight into how nutrients influence gene expression, metabolism and overall animal performance. This review examines recent advances in understanding nutrient gene interactions and their implications for improving growth, health and productivity in livestock species. Through omic technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, researchers can identify nutrient responsive genes and molecular pathways that regulate metabolic efficiency, immune response and feed conversion. Molecular nutrition strategies have further enabled the formulation of precision diets and functional feeds that enhance genetic potential while minimizing environmental impact. The integration of genomic data with nutritional management promotes sustainable animal production by optimizing resource utilization and reducing emissions. Despite challenges related to high implementation costs, bioinformatics capacity and limited genomic databases in developing regions, nutrigenomics holds great promise for advancing livestock breeding and management. This review highlights emerging applications, benefits, and future prospects of nutrigenomic tools in livestock development, focusing on how integrating genomic and nutritional data can optimize breeding programs, enable diet designs tailored to specific breeds or production stages, and promote environmental sustainability through improved feed efficiency and reduced emissions