Predicting Degradation Characteristics from Chemical Composition and Soluble Fraction of Poor Quality Roughage Diets

This study was conducted to explore the feasibility of predicting quality from selected chemical and degradability measurements for two browses (Alchornea cordifolia (A), Ficus coapensis (F), and two crop residues (maize (M) and rice stover (R.) and their mixtures; Degradation characteristics were determined in the rumen of three West African Dwarf (WAD) goats, three WAD sheep and three White Fulani steers. Each animal was fitted with a permanent ruminal canulae, and was routinely fed on Panicum maximum and equal amount officus and alchornea at a ratio of 70:30 respectively (dry matter basis). The DM disappearance values were fitted to the exponential equation P = a + b (l-e*1) where P is amount degradedat time (t) as the soluble fraction, b is the potentially degraded fraction, and c is the rate at which b degrades. Effective degradability (ED) was also determined. The ED of the feeds and their mixtures varied from 256 to 373 (g/kg). The experimentally determined values were compared, to calculate values based on predictions from individual chemical components (separately or combined) with the inclusion of the soluble fractions in the regression analyses. The use of the individual chemical components (NDF, ADF, cellulose, and lignin) was not effective in predicting the degradation characteristics. When the chemical components (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and total nitrogen) were combined in a multiple regression analysis, prediction was also poor. However, the results suggest that cellulose and lignin contribute significantly to the prediction. The inclusion of thewashing loss in the multiple regression analysis with the combined chemical components improved the prediction of ED. Calculated ED values from predictions correlated well with the experimentally determined ED. The coefficient of correlation between the observed and calculated ED values was highest for cattle (0.95) followed by sheep (0.93) and goats (0.77)

Serum levels of copeptin, C-reactive protein and cortisol in different severity groups of sickle cell anaemia

Summary: It is well known that individuals with SCA undergo constant physiological stress even, in steady state. However, there is little information on the relationship between the severity of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and serum levels of biomarkers of stress. This study therefore determined the serum levels of copeptin, cortisol and CRP in adults with SCA in different severity groups. Sixty adults with sickle cell anaemia in steady state (27.1±6.3 years) and in vaso-occlusive crisis (24.9±4.9 years) were recruited into this cross-sectional study. Degree of severity (mild, moderate or severe) was determined using a scoring system incorporating annual number of blood transfusions, crisis and presence of anaemia, vaso-occlusive pain and organ complications. Standard methods were used for the determination of packed cell volume (PCV), total white blood cell count (WBC), blood pressure measurements and anthropometric indices. Serum levels of copeptin, cortisol and CRP were determined using ELISA with the ratios calculated accordingly. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Student’s t-test, Mann Whitney U and Chi-square test as appropriate. P<0.05 was considered significant. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and copeptin level were significantly higher in subjects with moderate SCA compared with those with mild SCA. Similarly SBP, pulse, WBC, copeptin and cortisol were significantly higher while body weight was significantly lower in subjects with severe SCA compared with subjects with mild SCA. However, WBC and cortisol-to-copeptin ratio were significantly higher in subjects with severe SCA compared with subjects with moderate SCA. There was progressive rise in serum levels of CRP from mild SCA through severe SCA but the differences were not statistically significant. Also, proportions of subjects with elevated SBP and WBC were higher than the proportion of subjects with lower SBP and WBC in the severe SCA group. Serum levels of cortisol, copeptin, and their ratio could differentiate severe SCA from mild or moderate SCA. Also, elevated systolic blood pressure and total white blood cell count are associated with severe sickle cell anaemia.Keywords: Copeptin, Cortisol, Severity score, Sickle cell anaemia, Systolic blood pressure, Vaso-occlusive crisi

Studies on Haematological and Serum Biochemical Characteristics of Weaner Rabbits Fed Different Levels of Wild Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia Hemsl A. Gray) Leaf- Blood Meal Mixture

A 59 day -feeding trial involving thirty-two, 5-& weeks old, weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sex with initial weight of between 594 and 608g was conducted to examine the effect of feeding different levels of wild sunflower leaf- blood meal mixture (WSFLBM) as a iron- conventional feedstuff on the haematological and serum biochemical indices of weaner rabbits. The rabbits were allocated into 4 treatment groups of 8 rabbits per group. Each rabbit served as a replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. The four treatment groups had diets containing WSFLBld at 0,5. 10 and 20% dietary inclusion levels. All the haematological parameters evaluated: White blood cell count(WBC), Red blood cell count(RBC'), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular volume(MCV)were notsignificantly (P > 0.05) affected by the inclusion of WSFLBM. Significant influences were not observed for total protein, albumin, globulin and alkaline phosphatase. However, the serum biochemical indices evaluated, showed that cholesterol, SGPT and SCOT were significantly (P < 0.05) affected as the level of WSFLBM increased. It was concluded based on data from WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH MCHC and those from serum biochemical indices evaluated that wild sunflower leaf- blood meal mixture could be incorporated up to 20% level in weaner rabbit ration

Changes in mediators of inflammation and pro-thrombosis after 12 months of dietary modification in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a 12-month dietary modification on indices of inflammation and pro-thrombosis in adults with metabolic syndrome (MS). Materials and methods: This longitudinal study involved 252 adults with MS recruited from the Bodija market, Ibadan and its environs. Participants were placed on 20%, 30% and 50% calories obtained from protein, total fat and carbohydrate respectively and were followed up monthly for 12 months. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured using standard methods. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)], interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using spectrophotometric methods and ELISA as appropriate. Data was analysed using ANCOVA, Student\u2019s t-test, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: After 6 months of dietary modification, there was a significant reduction in waist circumference (WC), while the levels of HDL-C, fibrinogen and PAI-1 were significantly increased when compared with the corresponding baseline values. However, WC and fibrinogen reduced significantly, while HDL-C and IL-10 significantly increased after 12 months of dietary modification as compared with the respective baseline values. Conclusion: Long-term regular dietary modification may be beneficial in ameliorating inflammation and pro-thrombosis in metabolic syndrome

Computation of geomagnetic elements for Nigeria for the year 2000 and 2010

The Earth's magnetic field may be considered to be the sum of two parts, the main geomagnetic field which originates from the earth's fluid core, and the anomaly field that has its sources in the earth crust. The analysis of the geomagnetic field residual or anomaly, obtained from the difference between these two sources are used for many applications. In the present study, the values of the geomagnetic elements were calculated for Nigeria for the year 2000 and 2010. The values of latitudes were plotted for each element land the contours were drawn from the vertical component and the total intensity. Also the changes in the values of each element for Nigeria was computed and plotted against the latitudes. Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 16(2) 2004: 142-16

Dry matter degradation characteristics of rice stover with different proportions of Ficus capensis or Alchornea cordifolia in rumen fistulated sheep, goats or cattle

Rumen dry matter degradation characteristics (soluble fraction, degradable fraction, rate of degradation and effective degradability) of leaves of two browse species (Alchornea cordifolia, Ficus capensis) and rice stover and their varying proportions (10, 20 or 30% of each browse: crop residue mixture) were evaluated in rumen fistulated West African Dwarf sheep and goats and Bunaji cattle. The forages differed (P<0.05) in soluble fraction (a) rate of degradation (c) and effective degradability (ED) but did not differ in the degradable fraction (b). Rice stover bad the highest rate of degradation and F.capensis the least. Effective degradability (ED) was highest in cattle followed by sheep and goats with a high degree of correlation among them. The inclusion of the different proportions of browse in the mixtures show some significance in a, b and ED (P<0.05). Mixture had a depressive effect on the soluble fraction of the feeds in rice stover: A.cordifolia mixtures. Degradable fraction differed mainly in F.capensis mixtures. The rate of degradation was affected mainly in sheep and cattle among the feeds in rice stover: F.capensis mixtures. The different mixtures influenced effective degradability. As with the sole feeds, ED was highest in cattle, followed by sheep and goats.Keywords: Degradation, browse, crop residue, mixture effect

Performance and nutritional composition of Andropogon tectorum during a minor wet season as influenced by varying levels of inorganic fertilizer

The agronomic performance and nutritional composition of Andropogon tectorum fertilized with varying levels of nitrogen fertilizer application during the minor wet season in the derived savannah zone of Nigeria was studied in Ogbomoso, Nigeria from 2005-2008. It was observed that the adverse effect of moisture stress on the growth performance of grasses could be ameliorated through strategic fertilizer application as biomass production of Andropogon tectorum increased with increased nitrogen fertilizer application. It was in the order of O (control) < 50kgN/ha<100kgN/ha < 200kgN/ha application rates. Except for Zinc, increasing application of fertilizer was also observed to increase mineral element uptake (Na, Ca, P K Mg Fe Mn and Cu. Strategic application of nitrogen fertilizer could be employed to increase biomass and the nutritional content of Andropogon tectorum thus meeting the requirement of our animals during the minor wet season

Effect Of Feeding Increasing Levels Of Tropical Kudzu (Pueraria Phaseloides) On Feed Intake, Weight Change And Manure Production Of Weaned N\'dama Cattle Fed A Basal Diet Of Poor Quality Guinea Grass

Summary Different proportions of Pueraria phaseloides, (0, 15, 30 and 45% ) were offered as a supplement to weaned N\' dama steers fed a Panicum maximum basal diet to determine voluntary dry matter intake, weight gains and faecal output and quality in a completely randomized design. Dry matter degradation characteristics of experimental diets were also assessed in three-rumen fistulated Bunaji cattle castrates. The nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) contents of experimental diets increased with increasing inclusion of P. phaseloides while the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents decreased. Dry matter intake of Panicum maximum increased with increasing levels of supplementation

Partial replacements of Stylosanthes scabra forage for lucerne in total mixed ration diet of Saanen goats

The inclusion of Stylosanthes scabra cv. Seca forage in the total mixed ration (TMR) as partial replacement of lucerne (alfalfa) was evaluated for its effects on voluntary feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in Saanen goats. Three experimental diets were formulated having 0 % Seca (T1), 15 % Seca (T2) and 30 % Seca (T3) as partial replacement of lucerne forage in the TMR diet for goats. Eighteen Saanen goats of about 7 months old were divided into three groups of six animals per group. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatments in a complete randomised design, and the study lasted for a period of 21 days. There was an increase in fibre and mineral content of the diets as Seca inclusion increased, but this resulted in the decrease of crude protein contents and in vitro organic matter digestibility. Animals that were fed 15 % Seca recorded higher voluntary dry matter and nutrient (organic matter and fibres) intake, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05) as compared to the other treatments. Nutrient digestibility as well as nitrogen balance was not significantly different across the three diets. The lack of significant differences in feed intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen utilisation following the inclusion of Seca in the TMR suggests that S. scabra forage can partially replace lucerne in the TMR diet of goats.Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and National Research Foundation (NRF).http://link.springer.com/journal/112502016-10-31hb201