Earthworm metallothionein production as biomarker of heavy metal pollution in abattoir soil

The direct response of animals to environmental challenges, such as the production of biomarkers, is a better tool to assess environmental pollution than the conventional methods. In this study, the production of metallothionein (MT) in earthworms (Libyodrilus violaceous, Eudrilus eugeniae and Alma millsoni) was measured as tool for assessing heavy metal pollution in abattoir soil. Earthworm and abattoir soil samples were collected from three abattoir sites (Lafenwa, Gbonogun and Madojutimi) and a control site located beside an undisturbed stream located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in South-western Nigeria. Heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Mn) and MT concentrations were measured in the earthworm tissue and abattoir soil using standard methods. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Mn were highest in the tissue of earthworms obtained from Lafenwa abattoir. The Bioaccumulation Factors (BAFs) for all the metals tested for were less than unity, except for Cd which had a BAF > 1. The MT concentrations recorded in the earthworm samples from the Gbonogun and Lafenwa abattoir sites were significantly higher (p � 0.05) than in earthworms from Madojutimi. The lowest MT concentration was recorded in earthworms from the control. Significant (p � 0.05) positive correlations were observed between MT and heavy metal concentrations in all earthworm species indicating that MT concentrations can be used as biomarker of heavy metal pollution in abattoir soil

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in earthworms collected from abattoir soils in Abeokuta, south-western Nigeria

Activities in abattoirs and direct release of its waste into the environment are on the increase due to high protein demand in the country; and there is a need for proper assessment of abattoir soil for pollution. This study evaluated bioaccumulations of heavy metals in indigenous earthworm from abattoir soils as a measure of pollution. Five replicates each of earthworms, soil and cow dung samples were collected from three abattoir sites (Lafenwa, Gbonogun and Madojutimi) in Abeokuta, Ogun State and a control site (Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Arboretrum) beside an undisturbed stream with no cow dung. Samples were collected at 1m interval from sampling point at each site. Heavy Metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Mn) concentrations were measured in the earthworm species (Libyodrilus violaceus, Eudrilus eugeniae and Alma millsoni), soil and cow dung samples from the sites using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Some physico-chemical parameters (pH and percentage organic matter) of the soil and cow dung from the sample sites were also assessed using standard methods. The heavy metals concentrations, pH and the percentage organic matter recorded in the cow dung of all the abattoir locations were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the concentrations in their respective soil samples. Lafenwa abattoir had the highest concentrations of heavy metals and percentage organic matter (4.57 ± 0.06) in its soil. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Mn were highest in the tissue of earthworm species obtained from Lafenwa abattoir. The bioaccumulation factors for the metals analysed were less than unity except for Cd. Libyodrilus violaceus, Eudrilus eugeniae and Alma millsoni bioaccumulate heavy metals from the abattoir soils and the accumulation is directly related to the concentration of such heavy metals in the soil. Indigenous earthworms are a good bioindicator of pollution for heavy metals

Frequencies of feet feathering and comb type genes in the nigerian local chicken

Incidence of feet feathering condition, different comb types and the relative frequencies of the genes affecting these conditions were studied in 2030 local chickens. 14.78% of the local chicken surveyed had feathered feet, while 85.22% had non feathered feet. The single comb type was the commonest of the comb type observed in the chickens surveyed. 94.73% of the chickens had single comb, while 3.20% and 2.07% had rose and pea combs respectively. The estimated gene frequency for fish allele affecting feet feathering in the breed was 0.08, while its recessive allele, fih an estimated frequency of O. 92. The P allele for pea comb and the R allele for rose comb had a frequency of O. 02 and 0.01 respectively, while the recessive forms, rand p alleles for single comb had frequencies of 0.99 and 0.98 respectively. These estimated frequencies were found to be significantly different from the expected ratio based on simple Mendelian mode of inheritance of these traits

IMPACT OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROCESS ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN DESIGN STUDIO PROJECTS

Architecture can be seen as a discipline that poses several design challenges from conception to design realization stages. This path by which the idea of an architect is translated from the mind to paper and then birthed to life is known as design process. To solve design problems, architects have to go through a systematic design process, which vary with individuals and groups. In whatever way, this is done, the process determines the output and resulting performances. Hence, this study investigates varying design processes and the impact it has on students’ performances in their design studio courses. This study adopted a survey approach with 300 structured questionnaires distributed in three Schools of Architecture in southwest Nigeria. The Results showed two distinct design process approach by students namely: (i) Students who derive design concept in mind and stick to it from the beginning of the project to the end; and (ii). Students who embark on research with guided relevant key parameters to direct their project. Findings show that students in the latter category perform better in the design studio. Furthermore, the study recommended that the design process approach is important, but the rule of thumb is not a major determinant factor to performance in architectural design studio

Comparative Analysis of Production Efficiency of Government-Assisted and Unassisted Pig Farmers in Lagos State

This study comparatively examined the efficiency of pig production among government-assisted and non-assisted farmers in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained in a cross-section survey of 120 pig farmers, 60 each drawn purposively from among the government-assisted (GAPF) and unassisted pig farmers (UAPF) in the state. The data were analysed by descriptive, budgetary and econometric (Stochastic Production Frontier) methods. The study revealed that, most of the pig farmers (67.7% of GAPF and 95.0% of UAPF) are men. Majority of the pig farmers (65.0% of GAPF and 55.0% of UAPF) are within 30 - 50 years age bracket; with as much as 83.3% of GAPF and 60.0% of UAPF, having no more than six years of experience in pig farming. However, most (95.0% of GAPF and 75.0% of UAPF) of the pig farmers had some tertiary education. Budgetary analysis revealed that an average GAPF incurred a total cost of N987,682 in producing N1,360,050 worth of pigs with a net farm income of N372,368 yielding 33.67% rate of returns on their investment during the 2008/2009 production season. His UAPF counterpart incurred a total cost of N727,860 in producing N938,000 worth of pigs with a net farm income of N210,140 yielding 31.73% rate of returns on during the same production season. The technical, allocative and overall economic efficiency estimates computed based on estimated Stochastic Production and Conditional Revenue Frontier models of the two categories of pig farmers revealed that GAPF are generally more efficient (with mean technical, allocative and overall economic efficiency index of 0.66, 0.68 and 0.48, respectively) than their UAPF counterparts (with mean technical, allocative and overall economic efficiency index of 0.53, 0.60 and 0.35, respectively). The differences in the production efficiency of the two categories of farms were found to be as a result of the institutional and infrastructural support received by GAPF which is not available to the UAPF. &nbsp

Assessing genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of duck (Anas platyrhynchos) in Nigeria using mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences

In this study, the maternal genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of Nigerian duck populations were assessed. A total of 591 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region of 87 indigenous ducks from two populations in Nigeria were analyzed. Seven haplotypes and 70 polymorphic sites were identified. The mean haplotypic and nucleotide diversity were found to be 0.381±0.058 and 0.315±0.155 respectively. The phylogeny revealed two divergent haplotype clades, suggesting two possible maternal lineage in Nigerian duck population, with the most commonly shared haplotype belonging to Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Genetic variation within and between populations accounted for 63.32% and 36.68% of the total genetic variation respectively. This study concluded that there was relatively high genetic diversity and differentiation, thus, this information will probably pave way for further evaluation studies, preservation and improvement of Nigerian ducks as genetic resources.Keywords: Genetic Diversity, MtDNA, Nigerian duck, phylogen

Association between Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) gene polymorphism and carcass traits in improved Nigerian indigenous chickens

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) is a key regulator of muscle development and metabolism in birds and other vertebrate. Our objective was to determine the association between IGF1 gene polymorphism and carcass traits in FUNAAB Alpha chicken. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood of 50 normal feathered birds. At 10 weeks, the birds were slaughtered for carcass traits. Specific primers for chicken IGF1 were used for amplification of a 622 base segment. The amplified gene products were digested with Hinf1 restriction enzyme and the digested fragments were genotyped. Allele frequencies were 52% and 48% for A and B, respectively. Genotype frequencies were 27%, 50% and 23% for AA, AB and BB genotypes, respectively. All carcass traits values and the IGF1 gene polymorphism observed were subjected to analysis of variance and the mean were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the occurrence of the polymorphism did not affect all the carcass traits but AB genotypes had the highest carcass traits values than the AA and BB genotypes. The conclusion of this study demonstrated that IGF-1 gene, to some extent, could be a candidate gene that affects carcass traits in Improved Nigerian indigenous chicken.Keywords: IGF-1, PCR-RFLP, indigenous chicke

Sedimentation, depositional environments, and hydrocarbon potential of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene Araromi Formation, eastern Dahomey (Benin) Basin, southwestern Nigeria

The Cretaceous sediments in southwestern Nigeria are host to one of the largest bitumen deposits in the world. In the current paper, an integrated study on sedimentology, palynology, and applied petroleum geochemistry of the Maastrichtian-Paleocene Araromi Formation was used to determine the depositional environments and hydrocarbon potentials of the formation on the eastern Dahomey Basin. Four sedimentary lithofacies were identified from core samples, namely, lower limestone (F$_{1}$); medium to coarse-grained sandstone (F$_{2}$); lower loosely consolidated sandstone (F$_{3}$); and shale and siltstone (F$_{4}$). Sedimentation in the eastern Dahomey Basin occurred mainly in fluvial and shallow-marine (shelf) environments. The palynological assemblages of the Araromi Formation reflect deposition in coastal through brackish water to shallow shelf environment with periods of localized wind-induced storms. The shale and siltstone samples of the Araromi Formation are characterized by total organic carbon (TOC) values of up to 2.50 wt % and S$_{2}$ (hydrocarbon-generating potential) values ranging from 0.26 to 0.70 mgHC/g rock, indicating poor source rocks. Shales show poor quality and thermally immature organic matter at shallow depth and could neither have generated liquid hydrocarbon nor contributed to the heavy oil occurrence on the bitumen and tar-sand belt of eastern Dahomey (Benin) Basin

Selected plasma biochemical parameters in improved indigenous NIGERHYB pigs in Southwestern Nigeria

This study was to assess the biochemical parameters of apparently healthy NIGERHYB pigs and comparison of age and sex related differences in these parameters. One hundred and thirty five NIGERHYB pigs (35 boar, 35 sow, 30 weaned boar piglets and 35 weaned gilt piglets) obtained from intensively managed pig farms in Abeokuta suburbs were screened for parasites. The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values of apparently healthy ones were determined using standard methods. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The total protein, albumin, globulin, Na+ and K+ values showed no significant (p&gt;0.05) differences in both sexes of adult and piglets. However, the mean values of total protein, globulin and K+ were significantly higher in the adult than young. There were significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in mean values of Na+ and K+ in sow, boar and gilt piglets compared to the boar piglets. No significant (p&gt;0.05) age and sex difference evident in the mean HCO3- of young and adult pigs. The relationship between these biochemical parameter and those of other animal species in this environment were discussed

Genetic conservation through effective utilization of the improved indigenous chicken breeds by rural households in Nigeria

SUMMARY. Our collection and genetic characterization of various indigenous chicken genotypes in Nigeria started in 1984 at the National Animal Production Research Institute, Shika, Zaria, (Shika Brown) in 1994 at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria (FUNAAB) and in 2014 in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (FULANI). Collections were screened and characterized for genetic improvement and effective utilization by rural households in Nigeria With the financial and technical support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the International Livestock Research Institute, Ethiopia, respectively, improved chicken genotypes were developed and evaluated alongside some other tropically adapted chicken breeds. A total of six improved tropically adapted chicken breeds (three Nigerian – Shika Brown, FUNAAB alpha and Fulani; three imported – Kuroiler, Sasso and Noiler) were tested for 52 weeks on-farm, across five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria and on-station in a public University farm and a private farm in Ogun and Oyo States, respectively. Results showed the Nigeria’s improved Indigenous chicken breed, the FUNAAB-Alpha, to be of comparable performance with the three imported breeds. It has met with high acceptance and demand after exhibition of the six breeds during the 2017 Science and Technology Expo in Abuja, Nigeria