Determination of Tetracycline Residues in Broilers Reared in Makurdi Metropolis

Tetracycline residues in broiler tissues were assayed using a microbiological assay method. A total of four hundred samples  representing one hundred samples of liver, kidney, lungs and breast muscles each, were collected from five different farms within Makurdi Metropolis. The analysis showed a total of 70 % residue incidence with the liver having 60 %, Kidney 31 %, lungs 14 % and muscles 5 % of the total. The highest concentration, of 6 µg/kg, was seen in the liver from farm 1, which had an incidence of 50 %, with the liver contributing 90 % of the incidence. Farm 2 had an incidence of 75 %, in which the liver contributed with 50 % of the cases. Farm 3 had a 100 % incidence, with the liver contributing with 75 % of the cases. Farm 4 had 75 % incidence, with the liver involved in all cases. Farm 5 had a 50 % incidence, all from the liver and kidney. Despite the higher incidence of 70 %, all the values were significantly (p < 0.01), lower than the recommended Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) or Tolerance of 600, 300 and 200 µg/kg for the liver, kidney and muscle respectively. The values were also in accordance within the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-30 µg/kg, recommended by the Codex Alimentarius. This may be an indication of the rational use of antibiotics in good agricultural management in the selected farms in Makurdi Metropolis. Significantly, it shows that this method can be used mathematically to quantify drug residues in lower income areas. Key words: Tetracyclines, Residues, Broilers, Makurdi, Determination

Response of broiler chicks to diets with Bambaranut (Voandzeia subterranea) as a protein source.

The effects of raw and toasted bambaranut as a protein source for broiler chicks were investigated using 45 broiler chicks, randomly divided into three groups of 15 birds each. The test diets were formulated such that bambaranut constituted 25% of the diets. Treatment 1 (control) contained no bambaranut, treatment 2 contained raw bambaranut and treatment 3 toasted bambaranut. The study lasted for 6 weeks during which weight gain and feed consumption were measured. The performance of the various groups was evaluated using weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost per kg weight gain. At slaughter, various internal organs were excised, evaluated for gross lesions and weighed. The results of the study showed that the control group had superior feed conversion ratio and weight gain, while the raw bambaranut group was superior to the toasted bambaranut group. Cost per kg weight gain was higher in the toasted bambaranut groups. There were neither statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in the organ weights nor observable abdominal fat and gross pathology of the internal organs.Les effets de la noix de bambara cru et grillé comme source de protéine pour les poulets de chair a été examinée en utilisant 45 broilers qui ont été divisés au hasard en trois groupes de 15 oiseaux. Les régimes de test ont été formulés tel ce la noix de bambara a constitué 25% du total. Le traitement 1 (contrôle) sans noix de bambara, le traitement 2 avec noix de bambara cru et le traitement 3 avec noix bambara réchauffée. L"étude a duré 6 semaines pendant lesquelles le gain du poids et la consommation de l"aliment ont été mesurées. Les résultats obtenus par des divers groupes ont été évalués en utilisant les gains du poids, la conversion d"aliment, et le coût par kg gaigné. Pendant l"abattage, les divers organes internes ont été excisés et évalués pour les grands lésions et pesés. Les résultats de l"étude ont montré que le groupe de contrôle avait le plus haut ratio de conversion d"aliment et gain du poids, pendant que le groupe de la noix de bambara cru était supérieur au groupe de la noix de bambara réchauffée. Le coût par kg gaigné était plus haut dans les groupes de la noix de bambara réchauffée. Il n"avait pas des différences statistiques (p>0.05) pour les poids d"organes ni pour le tissu adipeux abdominal observable et la grand pathologie dans les organes internes

Prevalence and Public Health Potentials of Mycobacterium bovis in Excretions of Slaughter Cattle in Makurdi, Nigeria

The prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis in excretions of 255 randomly selected trade cattle in Makurdi, Nigeria, was determined from October 2003 to September 2004. The standard methods of acid-fast microscopy, culture, and biochemical tests were used. Mycobacterium bovis was present in 13 (5.1%) nasal secretions, 5 (2.0%) faeces and 2 (0.8%) urine samples. Generally, higher number of cattle were M. bovis positive during the dry season than in rainy season. Sex specific prevalence was significantly (

Knowledge of Validation Status of Point-of-care Glucometers among Veterinarians and Veterinary Technologists in Nigeria

Point-of-care glucometers (PCGs) have of recent almost replaced the conventional laboratory methods of blood glucose determination in animals. This study evaluated the level of awareness and knowledge about the use of handheld PCGs among veterinarians and veterinary technologists. Respondents to a structured questionnaire included academic staff and laboratory technologists from veterinary schools and public and private veterinarians across Nigeria. Design of the questions progressed from whether one had ever used a PCG before or not, how they knew about the PCG, the brands used, for what purposes and on which animals. Results showed that out of 209 respondents, 75 (36%) had used PCGs. Of this number, 37 (49.33%) used PCGs for research purposes, while 36 and 6.67% had used the PCGs for diagnosis of glucose disorders in animals and for both research and diagnostic purposes, respectively. The distribution of respondents that knew about the validation status of the PCGs used was 2.67%. As values generated by each PCG vary significantly in different species, there may be chances of reporting erroneous research conclusions as well as misdiagnosis of glucose disorders with consequent erroneous therapies in such species. Keywords: Point-of-care Glucometers, Validation status, Veterinarians