Original Article The effect of grower feed diet supplemented with Ganoderma lucidum against some enteric zoonotic parasites of pigeons (Columba livia)

We report a preliminary study on the effect of grower feed diet supplemented with mashed Ganoderma lucidum against some enteric zoonotic parasites of wild rock pigeons (Columba livia) in Benin City, Nigeria. The pigeons were fed ad libitum with supplemented and non-supplemented grower feed diet in sawdust-floored squared wooden cages (45 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm) at room temperature for 21 days. They were sacrificed at days 14 and 21 for profiling of their zoonotic enteric parasites. High prevalence (77.7%) of Cestodes (tapeworms) and low prevalence (12.3%) of nematodes were recorded in the control pigeon fed non-supplemented grower feed compared to those on diet supplemented with Ganoderma. Cestodes (Helminths) such as Hymenolepsis carioca, Amoebataenia cuneata, Raillietina tetragona, Raillietina serrata, Inermicapsifer spp., Hymenolepsis spp., and a species of nematode (Ascaridia columbae) were identified in the gastrointestinal tract of the experimental pigeons. A few species (< 8 %) of Trematodes yet to be fully identified were also observed. The low population of helminth parasites and overall weight decrease of pigeon fed with diet supplemented with Ganderma lucidum recorded during the study suggest improved removal of digestive microbes, intestinal health, and gastrointestinal motility. These findings were aimed at contributing to the already existing knowledge on the use of feed additives, probiotics and supplementations in poultry farming.KEYWORDS: Ganoderma lucidum, pigeon (Columba livia), helminth, zoonotic parasite, cestode, nematod

Histopathological changes in the Brain Tissue of Africa Catfish exposure to Glyphosate Herbicide

One hundred and twenty normal post juvenile catfish (Clarias gariepinus) of both sexes with a mean weight of 135.44±1.99 g and mean length of 28.32±0.844 cm were purchased from Osayi farm. They were kept in 60 l aquaria at 27.5±0.4 ◦C, pH 7.3, with 12:12 h photoperiod, well aerated, provided with external filtration and a layer of gravel on the bottom. Histopathological alteration in the brain tissues when the fish were exposed to various concentrations (18 mg/L, 32mg/L and 75 mg/L) of glyphosate for a period of 7 – 28 days revealed that glyphosate hervicide may be neurotozic to post juvenile African catfish C. gariepinus as characterized by severe degeneration of dark-stained purkinje neurons, oedema, vacuolar changes with empty spaces which appeared as moth eaten area and showed proliferation of glial cells. There is need for more research work on the histopathology of brain tissue of fish exposed to pesticide.Keywords: Histopathology; glyphosate herbicide; Clarias gariepinu

Efficiency of Pleurotus florida dietary supplement in reducing Cadmium toxicity in Albino Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Pleurotus florida was investigated to reduce cadmium toxicity via haematological and histopathological analysis in Wistar albino rats. A total number of 28 Rattus norvegicus were divided into 7 groups (2 male and 2 female) different feeding concentration of cadmium and mushroom. Clinical signs observed during the 16days dosing period include loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhoea, sluggishness and coughing, for the treated groups (B -G). Haematology results showed that there were significant differences (p0.05) in RBC, MCV, MPV, LY and Hgb of the treated groups. The histopathological alterations in sleep were time and sex dependent ranging from slightly atrophied follicle to moderate atrophied follicle in both male and female rat, but more severe in female. Abatement of Cadmium toxicity from this experiment using P. florida was successful although was dependent on the concentration of the exposed metal