Histopathological evaluation of Oreochromis mossambicus gills and liver as biomarkers of earthen pond water pollution

Oreochromis mossambicus were sampled from a semi-intensively managed polyculture earthen pond in Bagauda, Nigeria for histopathological changes in the gills and liver as early warning signs of pond water pollution. Pond water was sourced from nearby Bagauda dam through a single 28 inches water pipe. The physicochemical parameters of the earthen pond water were within acceptable limits for the growth and survival of O. mossambicus. Although observed histopathological lesions were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the liver than in the gills of sampled fish, lesions were within the normal functioning of respective organs based on the degree of tissue change protocol. The observed lesions indicated low level pollution of the earthen pond water. The result of this preliminary work notwithstanding, there is a need for constant monitoring of the earthen pond water and its water source (Bagauda dam) for pollutants. This is to ensure the continuous well-being and increased productivity of stocked fish within the earthen pond because of the large catchment area being drained by the dam relative to increasing human anthropogenic activities within the area.Keywords: Earthen pond, Histopathology, Oreochromis mossambicus, Polyculture, Semi-intensive managemen

Comparative Effects of Cassava Starch and Simple Sugar in Cement Mortar and Concrete

Comparative effects of simple laboratory quality sugar and cassava starch on grade C35 concrete were studied in the laboratory. The simple white sugar was used at concentrations of 0 to 1% by weight of cement in concrete cured at 3, 7, 14 and 28 days using ordinary Portland cement. Cassava starch of the same concentration by weight of cement was used in concrete. The compressive strength results showed some marginal strength gains at all ages but peaks at 11.84% at 3 days at 0.05% sugar concentration. The maximum short term strength gain for cassava starch is 22.60% at 3 days at 0.1% starch concentration; and like the case of sugar this short term strength gain was not sustained at 28 days. At 28 days, there was a maximum  strength increase of 7.80% with 0.05% cassava starch concentration. For simple sugar the maximum strength increase at 28 days was 3.62% at sugar concentration of 0.06%.Keywords: Cassava starch, sugar, compressive strength, concrete

Growth Performance and Blood Chemistry of African Catfish, Clarias Gariepinus Fed Boiled Layer Chickens on a Poultry-fishery Integrated Farm, Kano State, Nigeria

Growth performance and blood chemistry of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus post juveniles (154.60 ± 0.55 g mean weight) fed boiled layer chickens that are unfit for human consumption was investigated over a 28-weeks period. Control fish were fed commercial fish feed alone while the test fish were fed equal mixture of the commercial fish feed and boiled layer chickens. Final mean body weights of both the control and the test fish were 538.70 ± 15.82 g and 503.30 ± 16.70 g, which were significantly (p<0.05) higher than their initial mean body weights but their final body weights and weight gains were insignificantly (p>0.05) lower in the test fish compared to the control fish. The crude protein, oil and Ash contents of the test fish (43.24 ± 0.81 %, 22.32 ± 0.26 % and 10.54 ± 1.08 %) were insignificantly (p>0.05) lower than those of the control fish (43.33 ± 0.80 %, 23.12 ± 0.39 % and 11.17 ± 1.88 %). Serum total glucose, total protein and total triglyceride concentrations were insignificantly (p>0.05) higher in the test fish (4.30 ± 0.75 mmoL,sup>-1, 45.07 ± 2.27 gL-1 and 3.80 ± 0.49 mgdL-1) compared to the control fish (2.61 ± 0.37 mmoL-1, 42.40 ± 1.46 gL-1 and 3.55 ± 0.55 mgdL-1). However, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the test fish (202.70 ± 38.96 iuL-1 and 30.60 ± 2.89 iuL-1) compared to the control fish (352.50 ± 33.73 iuL-1 and 41.87 ± 1.66 iuL-1). The cost of producing a unit of the control fish was =N= 228.96 as against =N= 114.53 for a unit of the test fish. This was further reinforced by a production benefit-cost ratio of 1.76 for the test fish as against 0.94 for the control fish. The feeding of fish with boiled layer chickens that are unfit for human consumption along with commercial fish feed, which caused slight stress in the fish but greatly reduced their cost of production without obviously affecting their growth and nutritive values, is highly recommended on Poultry-Fishery integrated farms where chicken mortalities that are unfit for human consumption are readily available at negligible processing cost.Keywords: Body composition, boiled layer chickens, Clarias gariepinus, cost of production, growth, stressNigerian Veterinary Journal, VOL:33 (1) 376-38

Effects of Sodium Chloride Solutions on Compressive Strength Development of Concrete Containing Rice Husk Ash

The study investigated the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions as curing medium at concentrations of 5% and 10% on compressive strength of concrete cubes containing 5% rice husk ash (RHA). Concrete cubes containing 5% RHA in NaCl solutions show early compressive strength increase at 3 and 7 days over control cubes; at 28 days concrete cubes containing 5% RHA cured in NaCl solutions recorded higher strength loss compared to control cubes.Keywords: Sodium chloride, concrete, compressive strength

Pathological changes in an Alsatian dog following Amitraz and Sniper (dichlorvos) exposure

Amitraz and Sniper (dichlorvos) are known ectoparasiticides of dogs in Nigeria. Although reports of their toxicosis exist, information on the pathological presentations of their combined toxicosis is scanty hence the present case report. Two dogs both had Amitraz bath with simultaneous fumigation of their immediate environment with Sniper (diclorvos). Excessive salivation, staggering gait, and respiratory distress were observed shortly thereafter with the prompt administration of atropine sulphate which ameliorated it, but a particular dog progressively became weak, inactive and off feed. A vomitus, dark watery stool and blood spots were observed within its kennel before death. The post-mortem examination revealed emaciated, dehydrated and tick infested carcass with pale ocular and oral mucous membranes. There was also ileocolic intestinal intussusception characterized by anal intussusceptum protrusion, congested liver and pulmonary peribronchial haemorrhage with inter-alveoli cellular infiltration including haemorrhagic enteritis. Death might have been due to hypovolemic shock following the observed dehydration, pallor, haematochezia, peritoneal fluid exudation, hepatic congestion, pneumonia characterized by peribronchial haemorrhages, and haemorrhagic enteritis. The observed intussusception was a rare occurrence in a dog following Amitraz and Sniper poisoning in Abuja, Nigeria, which highlighted the need for their cautious and professional use

Variation in runoff and sediment loss in fallow and abandoned farmland in Agoi- Ekpo, Cross River State, Nigeria

A study was carried out to assess soil erosion and associated losses on abandoned cassava farmland, 3-year, 10-year and 5-year fallows in a part of the rainforest zone of southern Nigeria. The study showed that the 5- year fallow yielded the most losses as a result of its scanty herbaceous cover and existence of canopy gaps followed by the abandoned cassava farmland, while the 10-year experienced the lowest losses in runoff and sediment. Runoff loss (F = 16.089; p<0.05) and sediment loss (F = 6.355, p<0.05) varied significantly among the treatments. The study revealed erosional losses occurred in all plots and that fallows with sparse herbaceous cover were less effective in suppressing soil erosion. To reduce unproductive loss of rich topsoil, farmers were encouraged to maintain adequate herbaceous cover during cropping to speed up ecological restoration after land abandonment.Keywords: Fallow vegetation, Soil erosion, Erosional losse

Phytochemical composition and toxicity of the aqueous extract of Parkia biglobosa pods in adult Clarias gariepinus

The phytochemical composition and toxicological evaluation of the aqueous extract of Parkia biglobosa pods in adult Clarias gariepinus was investigated over a 96-h exposure period. The aqueous extract of the pods was freeze-dried and screened for its phytochemical constituents. This revealed the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, steroids and triterpenes, tannins, carbohydrates and flavonoids but no anthraquinones and fixed oils. The fish were exposed to varying concentrations of the extract in a static acute toxicity bioassay. The exposed fish showed initial signs of agitated and erratic movements followed by signs of respiratory distress and abnormal nervous compromise, including mortality in some of the exposed fish. No such obvious signs of toxicity were recorded in the unexposed control fish. The appearance and intensity of the signs were both concentrations and exposure period-dependent. Mean mortality was significantly (p<0.05) related to extract concentrations and exposure period. The median lethal concentration of the extract in exposed fish over the 96-h exposure period was calculated to be 115.38 mg/l. Parkia biglobosa pods contained some toxicologically active constituents that can be meaningfully exploited to harvest fish from water bodies. However, this should be done with great care as the abusive use (higher concentrations) of this extract could result in extract residues in the exposed fish that might pose a risk to the consumers of such fish.Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Parkia biglobosa pods, phytochemical constituents, toxicity

Investigation on the bioeffects of ethanol extracts of leaf and stem of Momordica charantia on clinical straing of Escherichia coli and Staphlococcus aureas

The bio-effects of the ethanol extracts from the leaf and stem of Momordica charantia were studied with the view to ascertain the medical usefulness ascribed to the plant by the locals. The plant parts, stem and leaf, revealed remarkable activity against Escherichia coli and Staphlococcus aureas. The leaves extracts showed activity at a concentration as low as 10mg/ml against E. coli and 15mg/ml against S. aureus. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ranges from 10- 15mg/ml while Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) from 30-45mg/ml. The activity of these extracts compared favourably with those of standard antibiotics, Tetracyclines (0.33mg) and Ampicillin (10μg), used in this study. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and steroids. The presence of these chemicals in the extracts may have been responsible for the activity possessed by the plant extracts. Keywords: Bioeffects, Ethanol extracts, Clinical strains, Momordica charanti

Toxicological Evaluation of Ethanol Extract of Adenium obesum Stem Bark in African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus

The toxicity of ethanol extract of Adenium obesum stem bark as a tool foraquaculture pond management prior to the stocking of desired fish species was evaluated in Clarias gariepinus over a 96-h exposure. The fish were exposed to 6.25 mgL-1, 7.50 mgL-1, 8.20 mgL-1, 8.80 mgL-1 and 10.00 mgL-1 of the extract and a control in an acute static toxicity bioassay after performing a range finding test to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) of the extract. Exposed fish showed signs of changed behaviours with adaptive responses, respiratory distress and nervous compromise, including mortality in some of the exposed fish. The appearance and intensities of the observed signs were concentration and exposure period-dependent. An LC50 value of 7.35 mgL-1 was establishedfor the extract in the exposed fish where mean mortality was significantly (p<0.05) concentration and exposure period-dependent. The toxic nature of the extract in the exposed hardy fish can be exploited for effective aquaculture pond management against some unwanted predatory and weed aquatic organisms. However, the indiscriminate use of higher extract concentrations could seriously jeopardise the biodiversity of any aquaticenvironment