Haematological profile of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) in Nsukka agro-ecological zone, Enugu state, Nigeria

This study evaluated the haematological profile of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica). Seventy five pigeons were acquired for the study from three locations (Ibagwa, Orba and Enugu-Ezike) where pigeons are raised in Nsukka agro-ecological zone, Enugu State, Nigeria, but after two weeks of acclimatization 64 of the pigeons (34 females and 30 males) that were considered apparently healthy were used for the study. One ml of blood was collected from each pigeon by jugular venipuncture for evaluation of the haematological parameters. The haematological characteristics of the pigeons were determined using standard methods. The overall mean values obtained for the haematological parameters were as follows: packed cell volume (PCV) – 44.54 ± 4.73%; haemoglobin concentration (Hb) – 12.89 ± 1.55 g/dl; red blood cell (RBC) count – 3.34 ± 0.38 (106/ul); mean corpuscular volume (MCV) – 133.86 ± 19.37 fl; mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) – 38.67 ± 5.34 pg; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) – 28.97 ± 2.59 g/dl; leukocyte counts (103/ul): total leukocyte – 23.36 ± 7.06; lymphocyte – 10.66 ± 3.49, heterophil – 7.80 ± 2.89, monocyte count – 2.32 ± 0.93, eosinophil count – 2.25 ± 0.89, and basophil – 0.24 ± 0.30. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the males and females in all the haematological parameters evaluated and the body weights. There were however significant variations (p<0.05) in the PCV, absolute heterophil, monocyte and basophil counts, percentage lymphocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts of the pigeons from the three locations.Keywords: Domestic pigeons, Columba livia domestica, Haematolog

Observations on the Activities of Certain Serum Enzymes and Levels of Some Biochemical Parameters in Spent Horses with Liver Damage

Clinical biochemistry tests are one of the tests designed to assess the functional status of the liver in domestic animals and man. This study evaluated the activities of some serum enzymes and the level of some biochemical parameters in horses with acute and chronic liver damage. This study was carried out in Nigerian horses presented for sale at the Obollo Afor horse depot, Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State Nigeria. A total of 100 adult Nigerian horses of either sex were studied once a week for a period of 24 weeks. Serum biochemistry parameters indicated for the assessment of liver function were evaluated following standard procedures. These parameters include: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total proteins, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, total bilirubin and urea. Based on the outcome of the serum biochemistry evaluation, the horses were assigned into 3 groups namely: apparently healthy horses (Group 1), horses with biochemical markers of acute liver damage (Group 2) and horses with biochemical markers of chronic liver damage (Group 3). The mean serum ALT, AST, ALP and total bilirubin values of group 2 horses were significantly (p 0.05) difference in the mean serum urea value of group 2 and 3. A significantly (p 0.05) differences in the mean serum total protein, globulin and cholesterol values across the groups. In the spent horses, acute liver damage was characterized by increased serum ALT, AST and ALP activities, and decrease in creatinine level, hyperbilirubinemia, slight hypoalbuminemia, normal total protein, globulin and cholesterol levels while chronic liver damage was characterized by decreased serum ALT activity, normal serum AST and ALP activities, decreased serum urea level, normal total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin and cholesterol levels

Reference values for the haemotology profile of conventional grade outbred albino mice (Mus musculus) in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria

This study established reference values for the haematology profile of the conventional grade out-bred albino mice (Mus musculus) in Nsukka, Eastern Nigeria. A total of 336 apparently healthy mice, made up of 168 males and 168 females, were used for the study. Mice of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30 and 40 weeks of age (eight age sets) were studied, and for each age set the haematology profile of 21 males and 21 females were assessed following standard manual procedures immediately upon blood sample collection from the orbital sinus. Results showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) age related variations in the erythrocyte counts (EC), haemoglobin concentrations (HbC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total leukocyte counts (TLC) and absolute lymphocyte counts (ALC) of males and females and mean corpuscular haemoglobin of males only. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the males and females in their TLC at weeks 4 and 40 of age, ALC at week 24 of age and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) at weeks 4, 20 and 24 of age. The absolute values obtained in this present study were for some parameters different from the reference values documented for mice in the temperate countries, but the trend of age related variations and differences between the sexes were nearly the same except for the ANC.Keywords: Haematology, Reference values, Mice, Mus musculus, Nsukka, NigeriaAnimal Research International (2012) 9(2): 1601 – 161

Prehrana kokoši obogaćena sušenom ili svježe ubranom biljkom Talinum triangulare: učinak na proizvodnju i lipidni profil jaja

This study investigated the comparative effects of administration of dried and fresh Talinum triangulare (Tt) plant supplements on the egg production and egg quality of laying hens. Two hundred and ten pullets, purchased at the age of 18 weeks, were randomly assigned to seven study groups: A1 , A2 , A3 ; B1 , B2 , B3 ; and C. Aqueous extracts derived from a dried sample of Tt were administered at 62.5, 250, and 1000 mg/L doses for treatment of Group A (A1, A2, and A3 ); or from freshly harvested samples of Tt at 62.5, 250, and 1000 mg/L dose for treatment of Group B (B1 , B2 , and B3 ). Hens in Group C (CC) served as an un-supplemented experimental control group. Laying rate and egg lipid profile were determined at two-month intervals following standard procedures. Supplementation with Tt significantly enhanced egg production, with extended higher laying rates in groups A and B. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration and an increase in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration of eggs were observed in the supplemented groups (A and B). Dietary supplementation with dried samples of Tt at doses of 250 and 1000 mg/L increased the number of eggs laid, and resulted in the production of eggs with lower LDL and higher HDL cholesterol. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms behind the hypolipidemic principle and egg production enhancement.U ovom su radu istraženi komparativni učinci dodatka prehrani sušene i svježe biljke Talinum triangulare (Tt) na proizvodnju i kvalitetu jaja kokoši nesilica. Ukupno je 210 kokoši u dobi od 18 tjedana nasumično podijeljeno u sedam pokusnih skupina: A1 , A2 , A3 , B1 , B2 , B3 te C. Vodeni ekstrakti dobiveni od sušene biljke Talinum triangulare primijenjeni su u dozama od 62,5, 250 i 1000 mg/L u skupini A (A1 , A2 , and A3 ), dok su ekstrakti dobiveni od svježe ubrane biljke Tt u istim dozama primijenjeni u skupini B (B1 , B2 , i B3 ). Kokoši u skupini C (CC) poslužile su kao kontrolna skupina i nisu dobile dodatak prehrani. Stopa nesivosti i lipidni profil jaja određeni su u dvomjesečnim intervalima prema standardnim postupcima. Dodatak ekstrakta Tt prehrani kokoši znakovito je povećao proizvodnju jaja uz povećanu stopu nesenja u skupinama A i B. Osim toga znakovito je smanjena (P<0,05) koncentracija lipoproteina niske gustoće (LDL), a povećana koncentracija lipoproteina visoke gustoće (HDL) u skupinama koje su dobivale dodatak prehrani (A i B). Prehrana s dodatkom ektrakta dobivenog od sušene biljke Tt u dozama od 250 i 1000 mg/L povećala je broj snesenih jaja i rezultirala proizvodnjom jaja s nižim LDL-om i višim HDL-om. Potrebna su daljnja istraživanja kako bi se razjasnili točni mehanizmi koji se nalaze u podlozi ovog hipolipidemijskog principa i povećanja proizvodnje jaja

Lesions of velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease virus infection were more severe in broilers than pullets

This study compared the pathologic effects of velogenic Newcastle disease (ND) virus in broilers and pullets using the normal pathogenic dose of the virus following an earlier report that challenge of the two types of chickens with a low dose of the virus caused mortalities in broilers but none in pullets. One hundred and twenty chickens (10 weeks old) were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 30 each): inoculated intramuscularly with velogenic viscerotropic ND virus (vvNDV) pullets – IP, uninfected pullets – UP, infected broilers – IB and uninfected broilers – UB. Anorexia, depression, ruffled feathers, green diarrhoea, tucking of the head under their wings, droopy wings and prostration were observed on days 2 and 3 post inoculation (PI) in groups IP and IB respectively. Mortality in IP and IB was 100%. Weight loss was significant (P < 0.05) by day 4 PI in both IP and IB when compared with their controls. Percentage weight loss in IP and IB were 20.26% and 38.66%, respectively. Proventricular, intestinal and caecal tonsil haemorrhages were significantly (p < 0.05) more severe in group IB than IP. Histopathology showed more severe necrosis and depletion of the lymphocytes in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus and spleen of group IB than IP. The above observations show that the lesions of vvNDV infection may be more severe in IB than IP