6 research outputs found
Qualitative Determination of Lignocellulolytic Enzymes in Eight Wood-Decomposing Fungi
Many fungal species are capable of degrading wood components by the secretion of specialized enzymes including the lignocellulotyic enzymes. A qualitative study was conducted to determine the production of lignocellulotyic enzymes in eight wood-decomposing fungi: Armillaria mellea, Auricularia auricular, Chaetomium cupreum, Daedalea elegans, Fomes noxious, Ganoderma applanatum, Laetiporus sulphureus and Pleurotus pulmonarius. The dye diffusion method was used in determining the cellulose and hemicellulose modifying enzymes, while brilliant blue agar clearance method of qualitative assay (using brilliant cresyl blue C.I.52010 dye) was used in determining the lignin modifying enzymes production by the fungi. The results showed that Armillaria mellea, C. cupreum, F. noxious and L. sulphureus tested positive for the production of cellulose and hemicellulose modifying enzymes, while Auricularia auricular, D. elegans, G. applanatum and P. pulmonarius tested positive for lignin modifying enzymes, negative for cellulose and hemicellulose modifying enzymes. Armillaria mellea and Chaetomium cupreum appeared to possess all the lignocellulose modifying enzymes tested. This study showed that all the 8 wood decomposing fungi have at least one lignocellulolytic enzyme that could be utilized for industrial purposes, especially in chemical, fuel and food industries. Keywords: Cellulose, Enzymes, Fungi, Lignin, Lignocellulos
Growth and Agonistic Responses of Yaffa Breed Cockerels Administered Testosterone Propionate
The effect of birds’ duration of administration (duration of exposure) to exogenous Testosterone propionate on total weight gain (TWG) and agonistic behaviours (ABs) were evaluated in the Teaching and Research farm of the University of Ibadan, in Southwestern Nigeria. Testosterone propionate (TP) was administered once weekly, to Yaffa breed cockerels in T1,T2,T3,T4,T5 (for 8,12,16,18 and 20 weeks respectively).Birds in T6,received no testosterone propionate.ABs were evaluated twice daily, on a scale of 1-4,where 1 stood for ‘least agonistic’ and 4 stood for ‘very agonistic’. Agonistic acts like Head and feather pecks,kicks,chases and pushes were visually evaluated TP-administered birds had significantly (p<0.05) higher ABs and TWGs than the birds in the Control. Higher ABs however did not affect TWG and other growth parameters negatively Keywords: Cockerels, Testosterone propionate, Growth, Agonistic behaviour
Effect of ginger, garlic and negro pepper on gut microbes, gut histomorphometry and pathological assessment of selected organs of broiler chickens
This study was conducted to determine the gut responses of broiler chickens fed Xylopia, ginger and garlic and their effect in controlling population of gut microbes of broiler chickens. A total of 240 Ross 308-dayold chicks were used. There were four treatments which were replicated four times. Each replicate had 15 birds. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Starter and finisher Control (T1) diets without Xylopia, ginger and garlic were formulated. T2 –T4 had 10g each of Xylopia, ginger and garlic respectively in 1000g of feed. The diets and water were offered to the birds ad libitum. At the end of the 8th week, two birds per replicate with representative weight were randomly selected, slaughtered and gastrointestinal tracts were removed. Five centimeter (5cm) cut of the jejunum of 3 randomly selected chickens per treatment were submerged inside 10% formalin and slide preparation was done. Also, the digesta from three selected sections of the gut were kept in sterile bottle, labelled and sent to reputable microbiology laboratory for microbial analysis. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 21 and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of the same statistical package. There was reduction in the population of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogens, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus in the birds fed the phtyo-additives compared to the control. The result obtained for gut morphometry of this experiment showed that garlic performed better by recording higher gut morphometry than other treatments as the gut length and gut weight of the experimental birds increased when fed garlic additives. The result of histomophometric characteristics shows significant different (P<0.05) across the treatments and garlic fed chickens and control had similar villi height (4401.67μ and 4171.62μ respectively) gut weight was similar across the four treatment groups except jejunum and ilium with highest value under the garlic fed chickens. The intestine histology revealed normal histo-archietecture, compact mucosa crypt and increased surface area in diets 2 and 4. Similarly, the liver histology revealed a fine histoachitecture throughout the treatment groups. This study concluded that the inclusion of Negro pepper, garlic and ginger in broilers diet improved gut ecosystem, intestine histomophometry without fear of toxicity
Effects of reducing postpartum re-mating time- period on reproductive performance of the doe
Rabbits being induced ovulators can be rebred
within 24 hours after parturition. However,
reproductive efficiency and the doe’s physiology
can be affected by postpartum re-mating interval.
This study evaluated the effects of reducing the
re-mating interval after parturition on sexual
activity, fertility, gestation, parturition and litter
characteristics using 90 does. Three groups of
crossbred (New Zealand White × Chinchilla) does
were used in a randomized complete block design.
Does were re-mated 1-9, 10-20 and 21-28 days
after parturition in the dry and rainy seasons in
Ayetoro, Ogun State, Nigeria. Acceptance of
mating decreased with increasing postpartum re-
mating interval. Conception rate was highest in the
21-28 days group (98.8%) and lowest in the 10-
20 days group (68.4%). Gestation length was
significantly shorter (p<0.05) in the 10-20 days
group (30.7 days), than 1-9 days group (31.6
days) and 21-28 days group (31.7 days). Litter
size and weight at birth were not significantly affected. Kit’s mortality was lower (p<0.05) in
the 21-28 days group (25.6%) compared to 10-20
days group (57.4%) and 1-9 days group (58.8%).
Litter weight (total and alive at birth) was
heavier (p<0.05) during the rains (295.9 and
294.9 g) than dry season (250.1 and 243.3 g).
Reducing the re-mating interval after
parturition enhanced sexual activity. Fertility was comparable in does re-mated 1-9 and 21-28
days after parturition.Les lapins étant des ovulateurs incités peuvent
reprocréer en moins de 24 heures après la
parturition. Cependant l’intervalle de récopulation
postpartum peut influer sur el efficacité de
reproduction et sur la physiologie de la lapine.
Cette étude a évalué les effets de la réduction de
l’intervalle de ré-accouplement après la naissance
sur l’activité sexuelle, la fertilité, la gestation, la
parturition et les caractéristiques des petits, en
utilisant 90 lapines. Trois groupes de lapines de
race croisée (New Zealand White × Chinchilla) ont
été utilisés dans un bâtiment découpé en cabines
de dimensions prises au hazard. Les lapines ont
été ré-accouplées entre 1 à 9, 10 à 20, 21 à 28
jours après la parturition les saisons sèches et
pluvieuse à Ayetoro, dans e’ Etat d’Ogun au
Nigeria. L’acceptation de récopulation a décru
avec l’accroissement de l’intervalle de récopulation
postpartum. Le taux de conception était le plus
élevé dans le groupe de 21 à 28 jours (98,8%)
et le plus bas dans le groupe de 10 Ã 20 jours
(68,4%). La durée de gestation était consi-
dérablement plus courte (p<0,05) dans le groupe
de 10 Ã 20 jours (30,7 jours) que dans le groupe de 1 Ã 9 jours (31,6 jours) et que dans le groupe
de 21 Ã 28 jours (31,7 jours). La grosseur et le
poids des petits à la naissance n’étaient pas pour
autant affectés. La mortalité à la naissance était
plus basse (p<0,05) dans le groupe de 21 Ã 28
jours (25,6%) par rapport aux groupes de 10 Ã 20
jours (57,4%) et de 1 Ã 9 jours (58,8%). Le poids
des petits (total et vivants à la naissance) était plus
lourd (p<0,05) pendant les pluies (295,9 et
294,9 g) que pendant la sécheresse (250,1 et
243,3 g). La réduction de l’intervalle de récopulation
après parturition a augmenté l’activité sexuelle. La
fertilité était comparable chez les lapines ré
accouplées dans les groupes de 1 à 9 et de 21 Ã
28 jours après parturition
Sexual behavioural pattern of orchidectomised and hormone replaced weaner pigs
The persistence or cessation of sexual behaviour after abrupt testosterone withdrawal i.e. castration depends among other things on the age of the animal at castration. The aim of this work is to ascertain the effect of early orchidectomy and subsequent hormone replacement to 24 weeks of age on restoration of sexual behaviour in pigs. Five weeks olds male weaner pigs, 24 in number, randomly grouped into two, twelve in each group were used for this study. The first group was not orchidectomised and not given any form of hormone injection (control). The second group was orchidectomised and given Testosterone enanthate and Oestradiol benzoate hormone replacement respectively (CHR). Orchidectomy was carried out at 5 weeks of age using standard procedure. There was no significant difference in the numbers of subjects mounting in both cases. Whereas only 17% had intromission in the control while 33% had this in the CHR. The control had 0 % ejaculation while 33% ejaculated in the CHR. Sexual behaviour index differs significantly between the two groups with the higher value in the CHR, 2.18±0.10 and 1.56±0.05 in the control. There were no significant difference in the strutting and restless/slashing in the CHR in the control , Violent/biting behaviour was in the control involving all the subjects, 100%, while 83% displayed this in the CHR. Aggressive index is higher in the control than in the CHR, 2.70+0.100 and 2.55+0.05 respectively. The study showed than the CHR (castrated with hormone replacement) group displayed improved  sexual behaviour the than control group, although, the latter group was more aggressive.Keywords: Hormonal replacement, Orchidectomy, Weaner pigs, Sexual behaviou