Impact of black plum (Vitex doniana) leaf meal on blood biochemistry, hormone and cholesterol level of West African dwarf goat-bucks

Fifteen (15) West African Dwarf (WAD) goat-bucks with average initial weights of 10±0.53kg were used in an experiment to investigate the effect of varying levels of Vitex doniana leaf meal on the blood profiles, hormone and cholesterol level of WAD goat-bucks. The animals were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments consisting of graded levels of Vitex doniana in a Completely Randomized Design experiment which lasted twenty-eight (28) days. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected from the jugular veins of the animal for the determination of haematological and serum biochemical characteristics using standard laboratory methods. The Vitex doniana leaf had a crude protein of 8.53, crude fibre of 7.15, crude fat of 6.44 and ash of 8.26 percent and were moderately high in flavonoids 20.82, phenols 96.14, saponin 6.48mg/100g with slight presence of alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids and anthraquinones. The effects of graded levels of Vitex doniana leaf meal on haematology of WAD goat-bucks reveals that red blood cell (RBC) significantly (p<0.05) increase with concurrent increase in Vitex doniana leaf meal whereas the haemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) reduced with the addition of the leaf meal. Other parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) different from the control, although it varies with increase in the leaf meal addition. The serum biochemistry of West African dwarf bucks showed that total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), urea and glucose significantly increased with increase in Vitex doniana leaf meal. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the increase in Vitex doniana leaf meal inclusion. The ALT and AST were not significantly (p>0.05) different from the control in treatment D. Phytochemical results shows Vitex doniana has high content of phenol, flavonoid and saponin; it significantly increase total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein with a reduction in high density lipoprotein with 20g/kg feed while triglyceride and high density lipoprotein were high with 10g/kg feed. It significantly reduced luteinizing hormone while causing an increase in follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone and prolactin with 15g/kg. The administration of 15g inclusion level of Vitex doniana leaf meal increases the reproductive performance while administration of 10g inclusion level helped to lower the cholesterol level in WAD bucks with no conspicuous adverse effects and their health status was not compromised. All the haematological and serum biochemical characteristics of the bucks were within the normal/ standard blood ranges for apparently healthy bucks. The study therefore concludes that farmers can supplement feed with up to 20% Vitex doniana leaf meal in formulated diets meant for goats, without fear of compromising haematopoietic processes. Keywords: Blood, Feed, leaf-meal, WAD goat-buck

Microbial modulating effect of xylanase enzyme supplemented rice husk on the gastrointestinal tract of broiler chickens

The development of antibiotics-resistance pathogens in poultry which poses threat to human health has necessitated the search for alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) to improve gut microflora in poultry diets. One of the alternatives to AGPs is probiotics which are beneficial organisms. The prebiotic potentials of enzyme supplemented high fibre feedstuffs (HFFs) are not known. This study was conducted to assess the prebiotics potential of xylanase enzyme supplemented rice husk (RH) on broiler chickens (in-vivo). The study showed that replacement of maize with RH irrespective of levels supplemented with 100ppm xylanase enzyme caused a reduction in feed intake and an increase in weight gain and better FCR. It was observed that birds fed diet with 10% RH supplemented with xylanase enzyme out-performed birds fed diets with 20 or 30% RH supplemented with xylanase enzyme and closer to the birds fed the control diet which was with better FCR. Enzyme supplementation of RH helped in increasing and improving protein, ether extract and fibre digestibilities. The identification of microbes (Fungi and Bacteria) showed that dietary levels of RH (10, 20 or 30% inclusion) with supplementation of enzyme xylanase enhanced the growth of beneficial microbes which resulted in inhibition or elimination of the opportunistic/pathogenic microbes. The result of the cost benefit analysis also showed that 10% inclusion level of RH supplemented with xylanase enzyme gave the best result of a beneficiary reduction in the cost of production with the best improved broiler performance. The use of enzymes is therefore recommended when RH are required as prebiotic source in the gut of broilers

Effects of xylanase enzyme supplemented palm kernel cake (PKC) diet on performance and nutrient retention of broiler chickens

The development of antibiotics-resistance pathogens in poultry, which poses threat to human health, has necessitated the search for alternative to antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) to improve gut microflora in poultry diets. One of the alternatives to AGPs is probiotics, which are beneficial organisms. Prebiotics, are by-products of digestion of polysaccharides which poultry do not have enzymes to digest are food for probiotics. Advent of enzymes makes this digestion possible. This study was conducted to assess the effects of xylanase enzyme supplemented of palm kernel cake (PKC) on performance of broiler chickens. One thousand, nine hundred and twenty day old broiler chicks of Arbor Acre strain were used in a completely randomized design with 4 x 2 factorial combinations. Birds were fed control diet (50%) maize in which PKC was added at 10, 20 or 30% replacing maize in the control diet. Each of the diets was administered with or without 100ppm xylanase enzyme for a period of five (5) weeks. The replacement of maize with Palm Kernel Cake irrespective of levels supplemented with 100ppm xylanase enzyme caused a reduction in feed intake and an increase in weight gain and better FCR. In all these parameters, it is observed that birds fed diet with 10% PKC supplemented with xylanase enzyme out-performed birds fed diets with 10 or 30% PKC supplemented with xylanase enzyme and closer to the birds fed the control diet which was with better FCR. It can be deduced that enzyme supplementation of PKC helped in increasing and improving protein, ether extract and fibre digestibility. The haematological and serum biochemistry were within normal range for broiler chickens. The replacement of maize with PKC irrespective of the levels with supplementation of xylanase posed no threat on the health of the birds. The result of the cost benefit analysis also showed that 10% inclusion level of PKC supplemented with xylanase enzyme gave the best result of a beneficiary reduction in the cost of production with the best improved broiler performance. Enzyme supplementation of high fibre feedstuffs (HFF) could improve growth performance, nutrient retention and fibre digestibility.Key words: prebiotics, enzymes, intestinal microflora, broiler nutrition, digestibilit

Variations of renal vascular anatomy in a Nigerian population: A computerized tomography study

Background: A broad spectrum of renal vascular variations has been reported by anatomists and radiologists. The prevalence of these variations is extremely divergent in different populations. Therefore, radiologists and surgeons in different climes must be knowledgeable about the type and prevalence of the variants in their area of practice to avoid diagnostic pitfalls and for optimization of surgical techniques.Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the types and prevalence of renal vascular variations among patients undergoing contrast‑enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) of the abdomen in a Nigerian population, as well as provide a concise review of literature on the embryological basis and clinical significance of the identified variations.Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective review of 200 CECT of the abdomen to identify variations of arterial (accessory, early branching, and precaval) and venous (multiple, retroaortic, and circumaortic) anatomy of the kidneys.Results: We studied 200 patients, 102 (51%) females and 98 (49%) males. Age range is 18–90 years (mean = 53.08 ± 17.01). Prevalence of any renal vascular variations was 50%, arterial variations were 37%, and venous variations were 13%. Variations were significantly more common in males, P = 0.000075. The most common arterial variant was the accessory renal artery (23%) seen in 10% (right) and 13.0% (left); early branching was seen in 4.0% (right) and 0.5% (left) as well as precaval right renal artery seen in 4.5%. Venous variants were late confluence 3.0% (right) and 2.5% (left); multiple veins was seen in 2.5% (right) and 2.5% (left) as well as retroaortic left renal vein seen in 2.0%. The inferior polar accessory artery was the most prevalent accessory artery. Early arterial bifurcation was significantly more common on the right (P = 0.016) while other vascular variants showed no statistically significant association with laterality.Conclusion: Variation of renal vascular anatomy is a frequent finding among Nigerians. Radiologists and surgeons must be aware of these variants for optimization of surgical techniques.Keywords: Computerized tomography, kidney, Nigeria, variation, vascular anatom