Effect of graded levels and sources of protein on scrotal circumference and semen profile of Yankasa rams

The effect of graded levels and sources of protein on scrotal circumference and semen profile in Yankasa rams were investigated in a 96 day study. Twenty Yankasa rams aged 18-24months and weighing 21-30 kg with clinically normal genitalia were divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) of 5 rams each. All animals were fed Digitaria hay as a basal diet ad libitum and supplemented with the formulated ration at 2% of their respective live-weights. Iso caloric rations (10.50 MJ/kg DM ME) were formulated using non-conventional protein source (maize offal and dry layer litter) to contain 12.11% CP, 14.96% CP, and 17.94% CP and fed to groups A, B and C respectively. Another ration was formulated using conventional protein source (maize, wheat bran, groundnut cake, bone meal, vitamin premix and salt) to contain 12.26% CP and fed to group D (control group). Semen was collected every two weeks with the aid of a battery powered electroejaculator and then evaluated. Rams on 12.11% CP had significantly higher scrotal circumference than those on 17.11% C. and control. Significantly higher (P<0.05) semen volume was recorded for group B when compared with control group, but other groups showed no significant difference in volume of semen (P>0.05). Rams fed 14.96% CP diet had significantly higher semen concentration when compared with rams on 17.94% CP and control (P<0.01). Percentage gross motility, sperm morphology, sperm output and sperm viability were not influenced by level and source of protein (P>0.05). Thus, it is evident from this study that dry layer litter and maize offal compete favorably with conventional protein sources in improving scrotal circumference and semen concentration of Yankasa rams.Keywords: Dry layer litter, protein, rams, semen, scrotal circumference

Oestrus behaviour and conception rates of red sokoto goats following treatment with equine chorionic Gonadotrophin and Prostaglandin

This study was designed to investigate whether the administration of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (EG) concurrent with prostaglandin (PG) treatment improved oestrus response rates of Red Sokoto does. Red Sokoto (RS) does were treated with PGF2α (RSPG; n=10), PGF2α and eCG (RSPGEG; n=10) and eCG (RSEG; n=10). Heat detection and natural mating was carried out using sexually active fertile bucks following treatment for 5 days. Oestrus response rate was higher (p<0.05) in the RSPGEG than in the RSPG and RSEG groups respectively. Time to onset of oestrus was shorter (p>0.05) while duration of oestrus was longer (p>0.05) in the RSPGEG than in the RSPG and RSEG groups. Conception rates were 77 %, 80 % and 0 % in the RSPGEG, RSPG and RSEG groups respectively. We concluded that administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin concurrent with prostaglandin treatment improved oestrus response rates in Red Sokoto does.Keywords: Red Sokoto Goat, Prostaglandin, Gonadotrophin, Oestrus Response, Conceptio

Induction of estrus in Sahel goats using Fluorogestone Acetate (FGA) sponges and Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (ECG)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a progestagen treatment alone or in combination with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on estrus response in Sahel (SH) goats. One hundred (n=100) SH does were treated with 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponge for 14 days. At the end progestagen treatment, does that retained the intravaginal pessary were allocated into two groups; A: FGA & eCG (n=42) and B: FGA (n=41). Does in group A received additional 200 IU eCG i.m. concurrent with sponge removal. Estrus was detected twice daily (at 07.00 – 10.00 and 15.00 – 18.00 h) using sexually active bucks for 5 days after pessary removal. Estrus response was different (p<0.05) between A (73.8 %) and B (58.5 %). Estrus onset for group A and B (Mean ± S.E.M.) was 27.9 ± 8.3 and 38.4 ± 9.6 h while estrus duration (Mean ± S.E.M.) for group A and B was 35.8 ± 3.2 and 23.1 ± 5.2 h, respectively. Estrus onset and duration of estrus were different (p<0.05) between group A ( FGA & eCG) and B (FGA). It is concluded that additional eCG treatment following a 14-day progestagen (Fluorogestone acetate) treatment increased estrus response, hastened onset of estrus, lengthened duration of estrus and improved tightness of synchrony in Sahel does

Brucellosis as an Emerging Threat in Developing Economies:Lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, has a large proportion of the world's poor livestock keepers, and is a hotspot for neglected zoonoses. A review of the 127 accessible publications on brucellosis in Nigeria reveals only scant and fragmented evidence on its spatial and temporal distribution in different epidemiological contexts. The few bacteriological studies conducted demonstrate the existence of Brucella abortus in cattle and sheep, but evidence for B. melitensis in small ruminants is dated and unclear. The bulk of the evidence consists of seroprevalence studies, but test standardization and validation are not always adequately described, and misinterpretations exist with regard to sensitivity and/or specificity and ability to identify the infecting Brucella species. Despite this, early studies suggest that although brucellosis was endemic in extensive nomadic systems, seroprevalence was low, and brucellosis was not perceived as a real burden; recent studies, however, may reflect a changing trend. Concerning human brucellosis, no studies have identified the Brucella species and most reports provide only serological evidence of contact with Brucella in the classical risk groups; some suggest brucellosis misdiagnoses as malaria or other febrile conditions. The investigation of a severe outbreak that occurred in the late 1970s describes the emergence of animal and human disease caused by the settling of previously nomadic populations during the Sahelian drought. There appears to be an increasing risk of re-emergence of brucellosis in sub-Saharan Africa, as a result of the co-existence of pastoralist movements and the increase of intensive management resulting from growing urbanization and food demand. Highly contagious zoonoses like brucellosis pose a threat with far-reaching social and political consequences

Effect of sex and species on prevalence of cowdriosis in small ruminants at Ahmadu Bello University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria

No Abstract. The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 22(1&2) 2001: 59-6

Dystocia due to diproposus in a calf – Case report

A case of diproposus in Bunaji calf which resulted in dystocia is reported. The calf was delivered dead following salvage of a cow that failed to calve successfully. Alarmed by this double headed calf, the butchers reported to the Divisional Veterinary Officer in charge of the Local Government. Each of the heads had a fully developed mouth to the level of the pharynx, eyes, nostrils, tongue, mandibles, maxilla, and pharynx and both were joined at the cranium. There was however one common trachea and oesophagusrespectively. No gross disorders were found in other anatomical structures of the calf. Although no aetiologic factor was found to be responsible, incomplete twining was considered to have been involved

Bovine Trichomoniasis: An Overview

Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted and host specific disease in cattle. It is caused Tritrichomonas foetus, a flagellated protozoa found in the reproductive tract particularly the prepuce and the distal penis in the bull and the vagina and uterus of the cow. It is worldwide in distribution although prevalence rates had subsided particularly in areas where artificial insemination is widely used. Bulls are asymptomatic chronic carriers of the organism and since infection does not affect the fertility of the bull or the viability of their spermatozoa, they are regarded as permanent sources of infection. In the cows, it is characterized by prolonged breeding interval; repeat breeding, early embryonic death, occasional late abortions and rarely pyometra. The asymptomatic nature of the disease makes accurate diagnosis difficult thereby posing serious economic losses. Information about the disease in Africa are few, the distribution of the disease particularly in Africa are discussed in the paper

Survey for bovine trichomoniasis in cattle at Slaughter in the Sokoto metropolitan abattoir Sokoto state Nigeria

No Abstract

Oestrus induction using fluorogestone acetate sponges and equine chorionic gonadotrophin in Red Sokoto goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a progestagen treatment (fluorogestone acetate sponge) alone or in combination with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on oestrus response in Red Sokoto (RS) goats. One hundred RS does were treated with 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) sponges for 14 days. At the end of the progestagen treatment, does that retained the sponges were allocated to two groups; FGAeCG and FGA. The FGAeCG group (n = 28) received 200 IU eCG i.m. concurrently with the sponge removal, while the FGA group (n = 28) did not receive eCG at sponge removal. Oestrus was detected twice daily (at 07:00 - 10:00 and 15:00 - 18:00) using sexually active bucks for five days following progestagen withdrawal. There was no significant difference in oestrus response between groups FGAeCG (82.1%) and FGA (78.6%). There was a significant difference in the time to the onset (29.3 ± 4.6 and 44.2 ± 6.3 h for the FGAeCG and FGA, respectively) and duration of the induced oestrus period (38.9 ± 5.1 and 22.7 ± 4.6 h for the FGAeCG and FGA groups, respectively). It is concluded that although both groups showed good oestrus synchronization rates, administration of eCG shortened the time to onset of oestrus and increased the duration of oestrus in Red Sokoto does.Keywords: Oestrus, synchronization, fluorogestone acetate, eCG, Red Sokoto goat