Morphological and morphometric characterization of local duck population in South-east ecological zone of Nigeria

The study was conducted to characterize morphologic and morphometric variations among local duck populations found in the south-east ecological zone of Nigeria. A total of one hundred and forty-six (146) adult local ducks of both sexes were randomly selected from Imo and Abia States and used for the study. Nine morphological traits which include eye colour, plumage colour, bean colour, body carriage, bill colour, bill shape, shank colour, caruncle colour, crested were studied. Also eight morphometric traits such as body weight, body length, body circumference, thigh circumference, bill length, neck length, foot length, total foot length and wing length were studied. Data on morphological traits were subjected to descriptive analysis, such as frequencies, percentages, and averages, while data on morphometric traits were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) in a completely randomized design. Results showed seven (7) phenotypes among local ducks. Predominant plumage colour was black/white (54.79%), shank colour was slate gray (70.55%) predominant eyes colour was brown (76.03%). The majority of local ducks (97.26%) had a pink/white colour, while 97.95% of the ducks had horizontal body carriage. Caruncle colour, bill shape, bean color, and crested showed no variation among duck populations. Drakes were superior (p<0.05) to hens for body weight and other morphometric traits measured. Positive and highly significant correlations (p<0.01;0.05) were observed among measured morphometric traits. The results obtained in this study could be used for the improvement and conservation of these local ducks in the south-east ecological zone of Nigeria

Artificial insemination in sows using Guelph and two local semen extenders

Sixty two and half-year-old Large White sows and 12 boars of the same breed and age were used to study the comparative effects of conventional (Guelph) and local (coconut water and fresh raphia palm wine) extenders and storage (3 days) on the fertility of artificially inseminated sows. Semen was collected twice a week by gloved-hand method. Semen was either extended or unextended and evaluated on the day of collection (day 0) and during day 3 of storage for percentage sperm motility, acrosome morphology and fertility (Non-return rate, farrowing rate and litter size). Both Guelph and local extenders produced significant effects (P<0.01) on boar semen characteristics and fertility. Fresh semen extended in Guelph entender had the highest percentage sperm motility (86.2%) whereas fresh semen extended with coconut water gave the highest normal apical ridge (NAR) (91%); farrowing rate (88.3%). litter size (7.1 piglets/litter) and number of young born alive (5.8), with the highest number of non return to service sows. Guelph extended semen ranked second in influencing fertility in sows.Keywords: Artificial insemination, semen extenders, sperm viability, sow fertilit

Evaluación de química sanguínea, ganancia de peso y mediciones corporales lineales de conejos pre-púberes alimentados con diferentes niveles de harina de hojas de neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.)

Se realizó un ensayo de alimentación de 16 semanas para investigar el efecto de harina de hojas de neem Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) (NML) sobre ganancia de peso, mediciones corporales lineales y química sanguínea de conejos machos pre-púberes. Se formularon cuatro dietas con niveles de inclusión de NLM de 0 (control), 5, 10, y 15%. Treinta y seis conejos híbridos New Zealand white × Chinchilla, pre-púberes, de 5 a 6 meses, se distribuyeron en cuatro grupos de nueve conejos, y cada grupo fue repetido en tres grupos de tres conejos cada uno. Los conejos se asignaron aleatoriamente a las cuatro dietas tratamiento. El recuento de linfocitos de los conejos alimentados con la dieta control (8,32 × 109 mm-3) fue significativamente mayor que el grupo alimentado con 15% NLM (4,60 × 109 mm-3). La hemoglobina celular media (MCH) y el volumen celular medio (MCV) de los conejos control fueron significativamente (p < 0,05) mayores que aquellos alimentados con 15% NLM. El recuento de neutrófilos de conejos alimentados con 15% NLM (0,95 × 109 mm-3) fue significativamente (p < 0,05) diferente de los grupos alimentados con 0% NLM (2,08 × 109 mm-3), 5% NLM (2,69 x 109 mm-3) y 10% (2,13 x 109 mm-3). Todos los otros parámetros medidos fueron similares (p > 0.05) entre grupos tratamiento. Los resultados sugieren que los conejos pudieron tolerar hasta 15% de inclusión dietaria de NLM sin efectos deletéreos en ganancia de peso corporal, mediciones corporales lineales y algunos parámetros hematológicos

Enhancement of Sexual Libido and Sperm Production in rabbits using Clomiphene citrate (Clomid®)

Two trials were conducted to investigate the efficacy of clomiphene citrate to enhance libido and sperm production in rabbits. In Trial I, two groups of seven adult crossbred New Zealand type rabbits each were assigned to either 6.25 mg (CD1) or 12.5 mg (CD2) clomiphene citrate as Clomid® (Bruno Farmaceutici S.p.A., Rome) daily for 5 days. Another group of 7 bucks was given normal saline during the same period to serve as control (CON). Semen was collected from the bucks once weekly for 12 weeks using an artificial vagina. Blood testosterone was sampled three times during the study - at the beginning, midway and during the last week of the study. In Trial II, two breeds (Chinchilla and Dutch-belted) of six adult rabbits each were used. Three rabbits from each breed were assigned to 6.25mg or 12.50mg of clomiphene citrate as Clomid® daily for 5 days. All the solutions were administered as oral douches. Semen was collected from the animals and two aliquots were taken from each ejaculate, oneanalysed immediately after collection and the other three hours later for motility. In Trial I, the results indicate that sperm concentration was higher (P0.05) between the control and the CD2 groups, the value for the CD1 group was higher (P0.05) among the groups. The results obtained in Trial II showed that sperm concentration was higher (