Prenatal skull radiography and calvaria histogenesis in Uda and Yankasa breeds of sheep

The anterior fontanelle was opened and radiolucent in the second trimester; at the third trimester, the fontanelle began to shrink and finally closed at birth and became radiopaque. The borders of the orbit and the teeth were both radiolucent and undifferentiated at the second trimester and at the third trimester, and these regions became radiopaque at the second and third trimester, respectively. The histomorphology of the calvarium in the first-trimester foetus had three layers consisting of the mesenchymal and osteoblast cells; as the foetus ages within the second trimester, the mesenchymal cells were transformed into osteoblast, colonies, primitive bone spicules, matured bone spicules, and primitive trabeculae respective, in the third trimester, the primitive trabeculae developed into a matured trabeculae, in the day old, the matured trabeculae transforms into a primitive spongy bone. However, this process occurs earlier in Yankasa than in Uda. The histomorphology of the calvarium during foetal life is similar in the Uda and Yankasa. However, the stages of calvarium development occur earlier and faster in Yankasa than Uda of the same ages. This implies that foetal development and time of parturition could occur earlier in the Yankasa compared to the Uda breeds

Gross and Morphometric Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System of Bats ( Eidolon helvum

The present study aimed at examining the gross and morphometry of the reproductive tract of the male bats (Eidolon helvum). Thirty male bats (adults n=17 and juveniles n=13) were captured using net, weighed, aged using relative ossification of the wing bone, and dissected for gross examination. Morphologically, the mean body weight and forearm length in both adults and juveniles were 235.31±6.30 g, 12.14±0.19 cm and 69.54±7.68 g, 7.77±0.29 cm, respectively. The testicles were completely descended in adults with the penis projected cranially. The epididymides were found at the median border of the testis and continues as vas deferens. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed between right and left testicular weights in both adults and juveniles and also in lengths of different parts of the reproductive segments in both age groups assessed, respectively. This work has documented the gross anatomy of the male reproductive tract in bats. Ultrastructure and histochemistry are recommended for further insight into the reproductive biology

Tomato Production Under Irrigation in Some Selected Districts of Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to examine the economics of tomato production under irrigation in selected district of Zuru Local Government in Kebbi State. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select tomato irrigation farmer. Data collection was done using a structured questionnaire administered to the tomato farmers. Data analyses were done using farm budget model and multiple regression analysis. The result show that the major source of income is from the profit gain from tomato farming which implies that irrigated tomato production is profitable in the area with average net farm income of N 405750 per hectare. Result of the multiple regressions revealed farm size (1%), quantity of seed (5%) and capital (10%) were positive and statistically significant by the means of contributing to farm total output. The R2 for linear function for tomato farmers is 0.787 which implies that 78.7% of the tomato farmers are dependent variable are explained by variation in the explanatory variable included in the model. However, result of the MVP/MFC ratio test revealed that both seeds, capital and Agrochemical has MVP/MFC ratio of 0.7042, 0.661 and -1.301 respectively were over-utilized by the tomato farmers. It is therefore recommended that loan and credit facilities should be provided for irrigated tomato farmers in the study area. Finally, extension agents should be provided to disseminate research finding and educate tomato farmers in other to boost profitability of the business.

Sero-Evidence of Infectious Bursal Disease Transmission between Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

This study was carried out to determine possibility of infectious bursal disease transmission between quail and chicken. In the study, non vaccinated cockerel chicks were put together with infectious bursal disease viral inoculated quails sharing the same feeders and drinkers. The two bird groups were monitored and observed for symptoms and clinical signs of infectious bursal disease (IBD). There was no clinical sign observed however, a strong positive serological evidence of IBD infection from the test result. In this work the chickens mixed with unexposed quail did not show any clinical sign of the disease (IBD) or any sign of infection serologically. As shown in this study serological means of diagnosis is one of the simple and accurate diagnostic procedures which can not only yield quick result but may even detect a subclinical infection among birds, which may ultimately lead to timely intervention in curtailing the disease spread.Keywords: Sero-evidence, infectious bursal disease, quail; chicke

gut health and serum growth hormone level of broiler chicken fed dietary chitin and chitosan from cricket and shrimp

Growth hormones (GH) alone does not explain the growth rate in the chicken as growth in an animal is multi-factorial. Normal morphology of the intestinal villus and crypt, with adequate regulation of intestinal nutrient transporters, is essential to a healthy gut. Nutrition plays a significant role in gut health management, but information on the effect of dietary chitin and chitosan on gut morphology, gene expression of nutrient transporter, and serum levels of GH in broiler chickens is scanty. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the comparative effect of dietary chitin and chitosan from cricket and shrimp on the small intestinal morphology, relative gene expression of intestinal nutrient transporters and serum level of GH in the broiler. A total of 150 day-old male Cobb500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to one of the five treatment groups (n = 30). Treatment 1 was fed basal diet only, treatments 2 to 5 were fed a basal diet with 0.5 g cricket chitin, cricket chitosan, shrimp chitin, and shrimp chitosan, respectively, per kg diet. At days 21 and 42, duodenal and jejunal samples were assessed for structural morphology and jejunum for the relative gene expression of PepT1, EAAT3, SGLT1, and SGLT5 using quantitative real-time PCR. Results bared that dietary cricket chitosan and shrimp chitosan significantly (P < 0.05) improved jejunal villus height and reduced crypt depth without improving the body weight (BW). The gut morphology of birds under cricket chitin was poor and significantly (P < 0.05) different from other treated groups. Both the dietary chitin and chitosan at day 21 and only dietary chitosan at day 42 significantly (P < 0.05) down-regulated the relative mRNA expression of PepT1, EAAT3, SGLT1, and SGLT5 of broiler chickens. Treated groups differ non-significantly at both phases, while cricket chitin numerically increased the relative expression of PepT1, EAAT3, and SGLT1. Therefore, the potential of cricket chitin to improve BW and to up-regulate nutrient transporters is worthy of further exploration