Effect of egg sizes on egg qualities, hatchability and initial weight of the hatched-chicks

The study evaluates the relationship of egg weights with other egg qualities, hatchability and hatchling weights. One thousand eight hundred eggs from marshal broiler chicken were categorized into small (50 – 59 g), medium (60 – 69 g) and large (≥70 g) of 600 eggs per group in a completely randomized design. Hundred eggs from each group were subjected to quality analysis and the remaining incubated for hatchlings production. The egg length of of large group was the highest (4.71 cm) and lowest in small (4.22 cm). The relationship revealed 32.86% yolk in small size, while 33.71 and 30.99% was observed for medium and large respectively. Also, albumen ranged from 50.85% in small to 55.38% in large. Hatchability result revealed 74.50% for small egg and reduced as sizes increased. Hatchling weight was highest in large (49.19 g) and lowest in small (38.79 g). The regression equations showed that albumen weight and egg size were best predictors of chick's weight through their R2 values (0.68 and 0.57 respectively) compared to yolk weight with R2 of 0.28. It was therefore be inferred that breeder eggs size could affect egg quality parameters and chick's weight

Anthelmintic efficacy of extracts of Spigelia anthelmia Linn on experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats

Spigelia anthelmia Linn is used as a herb and is a common annual weed of cultivation in open re-growths, on unused land in towns as well as on road sides. The plant can grow to approximately 30 cm in height. The aim of this study was to screen extracts of Spigelia anthelmia for their anthelmintic activity against an experimental Nippostrongylus braziliensis infection in rats. Acute oral toxicity occurred at a dose of 1,140mg/kg, while anthelmintic trials against Nippostrongylus braziliensis in rats using the aqueous fraction showed a progressive decrease in worm count with increasing dose (10, 13, 16, 20 and 25 mg per kg body weight) (p < 0.05). At 25 mg per kg body weight, the worm count was significantly lower than that at 10mg per kg body weight (p < 0.05)

Genetic characterization of Coxiella burnetii in Amblyomma varigatum ticks from North-central Nigeria: public health importance

Der Standard verweist in seiner Besprechung in der Print-Ausgabe, 10.4.2008, auf folgende, "archivische" Arbeiten: " .... Näher an das Thema Selbsterforschung führen dann wieder die Collagen von Anja Manfredi, die ein Archiv von Bewegungsabläufen, Posen und Gesten angelegt hat, . ...." Quelle: http://derstandard.at/?url=/?id=3296685 s. a. http://www.momentum.co.a

An examination of knowledge, attitudes and practices related to lead exposure in South Western Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Lead is a highly toxic and pervasive metal. Chronic exposure to low levels is responsible for significant health effects, particularly in children. Prevention remains the best option for reducing childhood lead exposure, however the knowledge, attitudes and practices to lead exposure in many developing countries is not known. Methods: We conducted four focus group discussions (FGD) to evaluate knowledge attitudes and practices to lead exposure in Nigeria. An FGD guide was developed from the literature and preliminary discussion with members of the public. Participants in the FGD were randomly selected from adults living in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria in 2004. RESULTS: We found that there was limited awareness of the sources of lead exposure in the domestic environment and participants had little knowledge of the health effects of chronic low-dose lead exposure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the findings of this study should be used, in conjunction with others, to develop appropriate health education intervention for lead exposure in the domestic environment

Anti-Trypanosomal Effects of Aqueous Extract of Ocimum Gratissimum (Lamiaceae) Leaf in Rats Infected with Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei

The anti-trypanosomal effects of aqueous extract of the leaf of Ocimum gratissimum were evaluated in both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The anti-trypanosomal activity of the extract against Trypanosoma brucei was investigated in-vitro. The survival and motility of the trypanosomes were completely inhibited within two hours of incubation in various concentrations of the extract. Parasite survival time was concentration dependent being longer in lower (25 and 12.5 mg/ml) than higher (100, 75 and 50 mg/ml) concentrations of the extract. The in-vivo anti-trypanosomal effect of the leaf extract of the leaf extract was investigated in rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei and treated with the extract. The infected rats treated with the extract had less dramatic clinical manifestations and mortality, survived longer and higher PCV values than their untreated counterparts, however, parasitaemia was not significantly reduced. The results suggest that the folkloric medicinal application of the aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum has no possible pharmacological basis

Effects of pituitary extract, ovaprim, and bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) on the histopathology of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The development of aquaculture in Nigeria is constrained by the inadequate supply of high quality of fingerlings of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). There are conflicting reports on the reproductive efficacy of Vernonia amygdalina when compared with the synthetic hormone Ovaprim (OV) and Pituitary Extract (PE) on C. gariepinus. The histopathology of select organs in catfish treated with generic Ovaprim (OV), Pituitary Extract (CPE), and aqueous extract of Vernonia amygdalina (VAE) were evaluated. Sixteen female C. gariepinus (average weight of 1 kg) wereevenly and randomly distributed to four groups. Fish in groups A, B, C, and D were injected intramuscularly with aqueous solutions of OV (0.5 mL/kg), PE (5 mg/kg), VAE (10 mg/kg), and distilled water (DW; 0.5 ml), respectively. Histological examinations of the ovary, liver, kidney, and spleen were carried out. Histopathology revealed that OV- and PE-treated groups showed synchronous and synchronous ovarian development, vacuolar change of hepatocytes, thinning of hepatic cords, reduced renal haemopoietic compartments, tubular degeneration and necrosis, and decrease in splenic periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS). VAE-treated groups had asynchronous ovarian development with atretic ovarian follicles, widespread vacuolar change of hepatocytes, intact renal tubular and hemopoietic compartments, and preponderance of large and coalescing splenic PALS. We conclude that VAE is an ineffective spawning agent, especially when compared with OV and PE, as VAE could not induce synchronous gonadal development. However, VAE may have immunopotentiating, nephroprotective, and haemopoietic properties. Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Vernonia amygdalina extract, Pituitary extract, Ovaprim, Gonadal development, Histopathology, Reproductive performanc

Haemoparasites of goats reared on free range in Zaria, Nigeria

A survey was conducted at the Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (ABUVTH), Zaria, Nigeria, between January, 1993 and December, 2003 to identify the haemoparasites of goats reared on free range in Zaria, in an attempt to determine the incidence of anaemia in goats in this area. During the period, a total of 357 goats were presented to the ABUVTH with various clinical signs. One hundred and seventy two (48.0%) of the goats presented were Kano brown breed, while 111 (31.0%), 7 (2%), 31 (9%) and 36 (10%) of them were Sokoto red, mixed (crosses), West African dwarf (WAD) and unidentified breeds respectively. Of these, 168 (47%) were male, while 189 (53%) were female. Ninety-nine (27%) of the goats had haemoparasitic infections and the haemoparasites identified include: Anaplasma ovis (n=85 or 86%), Theileria ovis (n=6 or 7%), Trypanosoma vivax (n=2 or 2%), Trypanosoma congolense (n=2 or 2%), Babesia motasi (n=1 or 1%), and Theileria mutans (n=2 or 2%). Eighty-nine (90%) of the goats with haemoparasites were anaemic with packed cell volume (PCV) between 7–23%, while 10 (10%) of them had haemoparasites, but there was no anaemia as their PCVs ranged between 24-39%. The implication of the haemoparasites detected and anaemia on goat production in Zaria is discussed. It was concluded that since most of the haemoparasites are transmitted by ectoparasites such as ticks, there is the need to constantly advise clients who rear goats on free range to always control the level of ectoparasites on their goats in order to maximize production. Keywords: haemoparasites, free range, goats, Zaria, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 27 2006: pp. 54-5