Strategies of Owl Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is important to owls because it affords them the opportunity to transfer genes from parents to the offspring. Owls are usually monogamous, and the same mates may pair for breeding purposes for several years, although variations exist from one species to another. Food availability or prey abundance is an important factor that determines reproduction and the upbringing of young ones for owls. Although some species usually engage in breeding during the springs, breeding and raising of chicks usually coincide with the availability of food. Other factors that play significant roles in determining breeding among owls include predation risk, agricultural activities, favourable weather, suitable mate and disease, among others

Agricultural Solid Wastes: Causes, Effects, and Effective Management

The role of the agricultural sector in human development and economic development cannot be overemphasized. Awareness for increased agricultural production is on the increase, arising from the need to feed the ever-increasing human population. Interestingly, almost all agricultural activities generate wastes, which are generated in large quantities in many countries. However, these wastes may constitute a serious threat to human health through environmental pollution and handling them may result in huge economic loss. Unfortunately, in many developing countries where large quantities of these wastes are generated, they are not properly managed because little is known about their potential risks and benefits if properly managed. There are studies that address some of the challenges of agricultural solid wastes as well as suggestions on how they can be properly managed. In this chapter, we intend to explore the major sources of agricultural solid wastes, their potential risks, and how they can be properly managed

Influence of mistletoe (Viscum album) leaf meal on growth performance, carcass characteristics and biochemical profile of broiler chickens

The quest for alternatives to antibiotics has resulted in the discovery of prebiotics. The search for the alterative antibiotics is on-going. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate possible prebiotic potentials inherent in mistletoe (Viscum album) leaf meal with the aim of developing prebiotics as an alternative to antibiotics thus optimizing animal performance, carcass characteristics and a healthy blood profile as indicators of systemic conditions. Five experimental diets were formulated and mistletoe leaf meal (AMLM) was incorporated into the diets at different concentrations (0% with 0.05% antibiotics (positive control), 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% without antibiotics (negative control)). The values of body weight were not significantly different across the treatments. Live weight, bled weight, wings, drumsticks, thighs, breasts and heads were not significantly different across the treatments. Aspartate aminotransferase, globulin and creatinine contents were not significantly different across the treatments. Meanwhile, birds on AMLM-supplemented diets obtained significantly (p < 0.05) higher values of alanine aminotransferase than those on negative control diet (3.75 IU/l). Urea anood glucose contents followed a similar patotern. The AMLM could be used as alternative antibiotics in broiler production, although further studies are required to ascertain this

Locally-processed cowpea husk improved body weight gain of on-farm raised rabbits in Northeastern Nigeria

Nigeria as an agricultural country generates a large tons of crop residues. Crop residues and by-products could result in environmental burden or pollution if not recycled or consumed by livestock. Efforts are being geared towards harnessing crop residues or by-products into animal feed. An on-farm experiment was conducted to investigate if fermentation and/or enzyme supplementation would improve the growth response of locally-reared rabbits. The weaner rabbits of similar age were sourced locally and were randomly distributed to groups. The animals were fed ad libitum with commercial basal diet but each treatment group was daily supplemented with 20 g of wheat bran, fermented wheat bran, fermented and enzyme-treated wheat bran, fermented wheat bran and fermented and enzyme-treated cowpea husk accordingly in a completely randomized design. Specific contrasts were also performed. Fermented cowpea husk improved (P&lt;0.05) body weight (day 21) and body weight gain of experimental animals compared with the control group. Other treatments were statistically similar to the control group. The fermentation process improved body weight of experimental animals fed wheat bran diets. The fermentation process enhanced feed intake of experimental rabbits fed wheat bran over the animals fed unfermented wheat bran. Enzyme supplementation improved feed intake of the animals fed wheat bran-based diets. The small intestine of rabbits fed control diet showed normal mucosal layer with normal glands without inflammation (slender arrow), the villi appeared normal (white arrow). The small intestinal photomicrographs of rabbits fed fermented wheat bran-based diet showed mild necrosis and glandular degeneration (black arrow), and the circular muscle layer was normal (grey arrow). The photomicrographs of rabbits fed a fermented cowpea husk-based diet showed normal central venules. The study concluded that fermented cowpea husk could boost rabbit production. Keywords: crop residue, nutrition, rabbit, sub-Saharan Afric

Epigenetic modifications in solid tumor metastasis in people of African ancestry

This review focuses on the critical role of epigenetic modifications in solid tumor metastasis, particularly in people of African ancestry. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, alterations in non-coding RNAs, and mRNA methylation, significantly influence gene expression, contributing to cancer development and progression. Despite the primary focus on populations of European, American, and Asian descent in most cancer research, this work emphasizes the importance of studying the unique genetic and epigenetic landscapes of African populations for a more inclusive approach in understanding and treating cancer. Insights from this review have the potential to pave the way for the development of effective, tailored treatments, and provide a richer resource for understanding cancer progression and metastasis. Specific focus was placed on the role of DNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNAs, and mRNA methylation in solid tumor metastasis, including how these modifications contribute to the regulation of tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, influence cellular pathways and signaling, and interact with the immune system. Moreover, this review elaborates on the development of epigenetic-targeted therapeutic strategies and the current advances in this field, highlighting the promising applications of these therapies in improving outcomes for African ancestry populations disproportionately affected by certain types of cancer. Nevertheless, this work acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead, particularly the under-representation of African populations in cancer genomic and epigenomic studies and the technical complications associated with detecting subtle epigenetic modifications. Emphasis is placed on the necessity for more inclusive research practices, the development of more robust and sensitive methods for detecting and interpreting epigenetic changes, and the understanding of the interplay between genetic and epigenetic variations. The review concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of epigenetic research in People of African ancestry, urging the concerted efforts of researchers, clinicians, funding agencies, and policymakers to extend the benefits of this research to all populations

Potency of agricultural wastes in mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) biotechnology for feeding broiler chicks (Arbor acre)

Abstract Purpose Nigeria produces large quantities of wastes per year, which are underutilised and constitute environmental nuisance. The effect of dietary mycomeat produced from ogi production wastes based on yellow maize using wild and mutant strains of Pleurotus sajor-caju was assessed based on chickens’ growth, haematology and histology. Methods The wastes were air-dried for 72 h. The inoculum was developed by transferring loopful of inoculum into the prepared inoculum medium. Incubation was carried out at 37 ± 1 °C. 144 1-day-old chicks were used. The trial lasted for 21 days. The chicks were grouped into 4, each containing 36 1-day-old chicks. The animals were provided with fresh feed and water ad libitum. Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly, while the calculation of feed conversion ratio (FCR) and weight gain was based on the data obtained. Results Feed intake was lower for birds fed diets containing ogi production wastes and mycomeat produced from ogi production wastes using a mutant strain of P. sajor-caju. No significant differences were observed for body weight gain amongst the treatments. Mycomeat produced from ogi production wastes using a mutant strain of P. sajor-caju and ogi production wastes enhanced FCR, while those on wild strain of P. sajor-caju did not differ significantly from other treatments. Conclusion Inclusion of mycomeat in the diet of broiler chicks is considered safe and could promote growth

Influence of UV light exposure on mineral composition and biomass production of mycomeat produced from different agricultural substrates

The wild and mutant strain of Pleurotus sajor caju was cultured on different agricultural substrates. Treatment 1 contained agricultural substrates alone. Treatment 2 contained the mutant strain of the mushroom plus agricultural waste. Treatment 3 contained the wild strain of the mushroom plus agricultural waste. The mutant strain of Pleurotus sajor caju cultured on groundnut shell had the highest iron content while the mutant strain cultured on palm kernel meal had the highest biomass production, 10.5 g/L and 17.20 g/L after 7 and 14 days respectively. The proximate analyses of the feed variety (mycomeat) revealed the rich nutritional content which may be explored for feed ingredients in livestock production. The findings do not only support the bioremediation of agricultural waste to produce high-value bio-products, but also provide evidence that improvement of microorganism strains represents a viable way to enhance the nutritional value of fermented products

Chemical composition and amino acid profile of differently processed feather meal

Feather wastes represent potential alternative ingredients for animal feedstuffs which can ameliorate the protein shortage for food and feed. Previous attempts to provide information about the nutrient composition of feather meal are either too complicated for rural livestock farmers in developing countries or they provided incomplete information on chemical composition. Washed feathers were subjected to different processing techniques such as pre-soaking in distilled water, wood ash, 0.3M NaOH, a mixture of wood ash and 0.3M NaOH, incubated at 37°C and boiled at 150°C for 60 minutes. Treated feather meals were analysed for chemical composition and amino acid profile. The overall result showed that feather meal pre-soaked with wood ash for 24 hr boiled at 150oC for 60 minutes, those pre-soaked with 0.3M NaOH and wood ash incubated at 37°C for 24 hr boiled at 150°C for 60 minutes and raw feather meal pre-soaked in distilled water for 24 hr boiled at 150°C for 60 minutes gave better results. Wood ash and 0.3M NaOH and their mixture could enhance the nutritional value of feather meal

Effect of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae Isolates, a Potential Bioherbicide for Amaranthus hybridus L. in Maize Culture

The use of phytopathogenic fungi in biological control of weeds may represent a promising alternative to the use of chemicals and may lead to the sustainability of agro-ecosystems. In the current study, strain C1136 was developed into various formulations and their activities were compared with a chemical herbicides using glyphosate in a screen house, applying standard procedure. All the bioherbicide treatments gave significantly higher yield component on the following parameters: tasselling, number of cobs, day of silking, number of ears, number of grain/cob, weight of 100 grains, number of cob, weight of cob, and length of cob from maize when compared to the chemical-treated herbicides and weedy cheek. Moreover, the bioherbicidal formulation coded BH4 (32 g of semolina + 6 g kaolin + 20 mL of glycerol + mutant strain of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae + glucose+ sucrose + fructose + dextrose + lactose sugar + peptone) showed the highest activities when compared to other formulations. Conclusively, this study revealed that Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae C1136 strain has bioherbicidal activity and could therefore be exploited for large scale production of bioherbicides for weed control in conventional farming, to improve yield and enhance food security

Evaluation of selected agricultural solid wastes on biochemical profile and liver histology of Albino rats

Wheat bran, groundnut shell, watermelon peel and corn bran were analyzed for chemical composition and amino acid profile. A feeding trial was conducted to assess their effect on biochemical profile and liver histology of rats. Watermelon peel obtained the highest dry matter content (91.93±0.03 g/100g), followed by groundnut shell meal (89.57±0.31 g/100g). Carbohydrate content ranged between 35.28±0.08 g/100g and 65.19±0.13 g/100g. Crude protein content ranged between 6.53±0.06 g/100g (groundnut shell meal) and 10.88±0.02 g/100g (wheat bran). Liver histopathology revealed normal architecture. The nutritional analyses of the wastes revealed rich nutritional content which may be explored for feed ingredient in livestock production. Further processing of these wastes may further enhance their nutritional composition; thereby providing alternative cheap animal feed for improved animal production and consequently improved animal protein consumption in developing countries