Antioxidant Activity in the Blood and Testes of the Mottled Brown Male Japanese Quails at Different Age Groups

This study was carried out to assess the antioxidant activity in the blood and testes of mottled brown male Japanese quails at different physiological age groups. Fifty four mottled-brown male quail birds with average weight of 128.33±28.21g were randomly allotted to three age groups: pubertal (7 to 10 weeks old), mature (15 to 20 weeks old) and adult (above 24 weeks old). Eighteen birds were allocated per age group; each treatment had 3 replicates with 6 birds each. Blood sample was collected from all the birds and the birds were sacrificed, dissected, testes exiced and processed into testicular homogenate. Both serum and homogenate fluids were centrifuged separately to harvest the supernatants and analysed for the antioxidant indices. Statistical comparisons were made between the serum and testicular antioxidant indices. Result showed that the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity in the serum and testis were not significantly (p0.05) different among the age groups except for the glutathione peroxidase activity which was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the mature male quail compared to the adult and pubertal age groups. The result from this study suggests that the age difference in mature mottled brown male quails had improved glutathione peroxidase than other age groups, indicating an enhanced reproductive efficiency than pubertal and adult age groups in Japanese quails.Key words: Reproductive potentials, Mottled brown male quail, Age groups, Antioxidant indices

Physiological response of rabbits to organic selenium: Serum metabolites, liver and kidney function tests and hematological indices

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the serum total protein, glucose, liver, kidney and haematological response to varied levels of exogenous L-Selenomethionine (L-SeMet). Twenty four male rabbit bucks, about 10 months old were randomly allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design. Blood samples were collected at day 21 and day 42 from the bucks and processed for total protein, glucose, haematocrit, haemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes,and leukocyte differential count determination. Serum total protein was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in rabbits administered 0.3 mgkg-1 and 0.4 mgkg-1 at day 21 than those fed 0.2 mgkg-1. However, Glucose, alanine aminotransferase, spartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were not significantly influenced by L-SeMet administration at both days 21 and 42. Blood urea was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in bucks administered 0.4 mgkg-1 L-SeMet comparedto the control. Creatinine and sodium levels in the bucks were also not significantly influenced by L-SeMet. This suggested that exogenous supplementation of L-SeMet did not have adverse effect on the physiological processes of the rabbit bucks. Increased serum total protein observed in the experimental animals could be attributed to L-SeMet administration to the rabbit bucks which probably enhanced dietary protein utilization and/or protein synthesis

Growth Performance of Male Rabbits Exposed to Dietary Fumonisin

An experiment was conducted in a completely randomised design to evaluate growth response of male rabbits fed fumonisin contaminated diets for 28 weeks. 48 weaned rabbits with average weight of 757±50.50g were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0.1, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 ppm fumonisin B1 (FB1), constituting diets 1 (control), 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The results showed that final cumulative live weight and daily weight gain of the animals were significantly depressed (P<0.05) in rabbits fed 7.5 and 10.0 ppm FB1 to about 88.11% and 85.27% respectively, relative to the mean daily weight gain of 7.74g of those that fed the control diet. Feed consumption of rabbits fed diets 2, 3 and 4 apparently declined to about 95.92, 91.51 and 84.77% respectively relative to the mean dry matter intake of the control rabbits. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.05) lowered in animals fed control diet compared to those that fed the test diets. Percents mortality of 8.33 and 16.67 were recorded in rabbits that fed 7.5 and 10.0 ppm FB1 respectively as compared to no mortality among the animals that fed diets 2 and the control. Dry matter and crude protein digestibility were depressed (P<0.05) in rabbits fed 7.5 and 10.0 ppm FB1. The results suggest that exposure of rabbits to diet formulated with ingredient contaminated with fumonisin B1 up to 5.0ppm and above will depress growth performance and impair nutrient digestibility in rabbits.Keywords: Dietary Fumonisin, Growth response, Rabbit

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES Assessment of extension media use among youth farmers in Oyo and Ondo states, Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study on assessment of extension media among youth farmers was carried out in Oyo and Ondo States of Nigeria . Data were obtained from 48 youth farmers and 24 extension agents from one zone of the ADP per state. The youth farmers were purposively sampled for having participated in extension media training at one time or the other, or their parent being contact farmers. Structured and validated questionnaires were used to elicit necessary information coupled with personal interview. The data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and correlation co-efficient. The respondents were 30 years and below with the modal group being 16 -20years. The respondents were educated only 25percent were without formal education. Majority of them (67.5%) got innovation disseminated through television. Over 80 percent were aware of extension media in the study areas while only 20percent were not aware. Technologies disseminated include agricultural mechanization, improved seed production, mixed farming, and fertilizer application among others. The channels that were popular among the respondents include: radio and personal contact (53.7%) each. While demonstration was popular among the extension agents. There was negative correlation between age of respondents and diffusion of innovation. All the variables fitted were significant with exception of farm size. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were proffered: Government should make provisions for creating extension service departments in agricultural establishment where they do not exist

Reproductive Performance of Rabbits Fed Maize-Based Diets Containing FB 1 Strain of Fusarium Verticillioides (Sacc.)

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Influence of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin on the Fertility Rate in Artificially Inseminated Rabbit Does

An experiment was carried out on the influence of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) on the fertility rate of rabbit does under artificial insemination. The rabbit does (7-8 months old) were used for the trial. The hCG was administered to the rabbit does at varying doses: 0, 50, 100 and 150 I.U representing treatments 1 (control), 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Twenty four does were randomly allotted to the four treatments with six does per treatment in a completely randomised design and the study lasted 5 weeks. The does were inseminated with semen harvested from proven bucks. The results showed that does on 0 and 50 I.U hCG had 0% conception rate, while does on 100 and 150 I.U hCG showed 16.67% conception rate. This implies that hCG at 50 i.u was not enough to initiate ovulation in rabbit does. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the weight of doe after parturition, gestation length and litter size among the treatments. Total Litter weight and average litter weight were significant (p<0.05) higher in does administered 150 I.U hCG than those treated with 100 I.U. This study suggested that hCG induced ovulation and influenced the fertility rate of rabbit does when administered with at least 100 I.U to artificially inseminated rabbit does.Keywords: Human chorionic gonadotropin, Conception rate, Rabbit, artificial inseminatio