Breed and gender effects on blood profile of Muturu and Bunaji cattle in Benue and Ogun State, Nigeria

This research was conducted to study the blood profile of Bunaji and Muturu cattle in Benue and Ogun States. Four hundred and eighty cattle comprising 240 of each breed and 120 of either gender at each location were sampled. The experiment was set in a 2×2×2 factorial format in a CRD with location, breed and gender as factors. Samples were collected five times at each location. Blood parameters analyzed were PCV, Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell Count (RBC), Lymphocytes, Granulocytes and Monocytes. The results showed that Muturu cattle presented significantly (p<0.05) higher mean PCV, Hb, WBC, percent Lymphocyte and Monocytes. It was also observed that Muturu cattle at Benue State showed higher (p<0.05) mean PCV, RBC and percent granulocyte while the Bunaji presented higher (p<0.05) mean MCHC, with the bulls presenting significantly (p<0.05) higher mean MCHC (39.45g/dl) than the cows (36.38g/dl). Similarly, higher mean MCHC were observed in Muturu bulls (31.02g/dl) compared to the cows (28.90g/dl) of Benue State. These variations in mean MCHC were not observed among cattle in Ogun State. Mean lymphocytes and granulocytes varied significantly (p<0.05) with Bunaji gender in Ogun State. The study concluded that location and breed affected haematological parameters of the cattle breed investigated. Key words: Blood; Breed; Bunaji; Gender; Mutur

Performance and egg quality characteristics of egg-type chickens as influenced by fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) leaf extract

A total of 120 sixteen week old point of lay birds of the Isa Brown strain were used for the experiment to determine the effect of  fluted pumpkin (Telfaria occidentalis) leaf extract (FPLE) administered orally on Laying performance, egg quality characteristics; blood chemistry haematology and serum chemistry for a 12 week period. The birds were randomly assigned to five treatment   groups: control group with no FPLE; 30ml FPLE/litre of drinking water; 60ml FPLE; 90ml FPLE and 120ml/litre FPLE respectively at 3 day intervals. Feed was given ad libitum. Eggs were collected at 2 week interval to determine external and internal egg   qualities. Blood sampling was carried out at the twelfth week of experiment. The results show that FPLE significantly (P<0.05)   increased hen day with birds in group with 120ml FPLE/litre water having higher values than other groups. External egg qualities were not influenced by FPLE inclusion. Internal egg qualities like shell weight and haugh unit were significantly increased by FPLE with birds in group with 120ml/litre FPLE having the highest significant values than birds in control and other groups.    Haematological results show that for packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin were not similar for all the groups in this   experiment. However results for Red blood cell count (RBC) and White blood cell count (WBC) and differential were increased with FPLE intake with birds administered 120ml/litre of FPLE having the highest values for RBC and WBC. Serum chemistry results    show similarities for serum total protein, Albumin, Globulin, Total Cholesterol and Serum Alanine Transaminase (SALT). FPLE has been proven to be a haematinic in rats and broiler chickens; this present result further strengthens this assertion though the results for blood analysis are  contrary to that obtained by the authors for meat type chickens. It can therefore be concluded that up to 120ml FPLE/litre of drinking water can be tolerated by egg type chickens from point of lay phase to early laying phase.Key Words: Fluted Pumpkin, Egg, haematology, Serum Biochemistr

In vitro maturation of bovine granulosa cells for steroid hormone production

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of preincubated granulosa cells on in vitro maturation and steroid hormones production in cows. Granulosa cells from the ovaries were cultured using the modified M-199 with Earle's salts. 1% bovine serum albumin was added and 5% fetal calf serum. Also 0.8% of antibiotics was also included. Cultures were incubated at 37°C in a 95% air and 100% relative humidity. There were significant differences among values of proges- terone and estradiol concentration obtained for levels of inclusion of FSH and LH. It can be concluded that there is necessity for supplemen- tation of hormones in culture medium for bovine IVM.Se evaluó el efecto de células de granulosa preincubadas sobre la maduración in vitro y pro- ducción de hormonas esteroides en vacas. Las células de granulosa de los ovarios fueron culti- vadas empleando el M-199 modificado con sales de Earle. Se añadió 1% de albúmina de suero bovino y 5% de suero fetal de ternero. También se incluyó un 0,8% de antibióticos. Los cultivos fue- ron incubados a 37°C con 95% de aire y 100% de humedad relativa. Se registraron diferencias sig- nificativas entre las concentraciones de progesterona y estradiol obtenidas con los niveles de inclsuión de FSH y LH. Puede concluirse que es necesario suplementar con hormonas el medio de cultivo para IVM en bovinos

Sexual behavioural pattern of orchidectomised and hormone replaced weaner pigs

The persistence or cessation of sexual behaviour after abrupt testosterone withdrawal i.e. castration depends among other things on the age of the animal at castration. The aim of this work is to ascertain the effect of early orchidectomy and subsequent hormone replacement to 24 weeks of age on restoration of sexual behaviour in pigs. Five weeks olds male weaner pigs, 24 in number, randomly grouped into two, twelve in each group were used for this study. The first group was not orchidectomised and not given any form of hormone injection (control). The second group was orchidectomised and given Testosterone enanthate and Oestradiol benzoate hormone replacement respectively (CHR). Orchidectomy was carried out at 5 weeks of age using standard procedure. There was no significant difference in the numbers of subjects mounting in both cases. Whereas only 17% had intromission in the control while 33% had this in the CHR. The control had 0 % ejaculation while 33% ejaculated in the CHR. Sexual behaviour index differs significantly between the two groups with the higher value in the CHR, 2.18±0.10 and 1.56±0.05 in the control. There were no significant difference in the strutting and restless/slashing in the CHR in the control , Violent/biting behaviour was in the control involving all the subjects, 100%, while 83% displayed this in the CHR. Aggressive index is higher in the control than in the CHR, 2.70+0.100 and 2.55+0.05 respectively. The study showed than the CHR (castrated with hormone replacement) group displayed improved  sexual behaviour the than control group, although, the latter group was more aggressive.Keywords: Hormonal replacement, Orchidectomy, Weaner pigs, Sexual behaviou

Synergistic effects of insulin-like growth factor (igf-ii) and fsh on bovine granulosa cells

Se estudiaron los efectos sinérgicos del fac- tor de crecimiento II similar a la insulina (ICF-II) solo o asociado a hormona folículo estimulante (FSH), sobre la producción de progesterona y estradiol por las células de granulosa bovinas (GC) cultiva- das in vitro. Las GC, obtenidas de ovarios de vacas sacrificadas, fueron cultivadas durante cuatro días en incubador óxido de carbono (IV) a 37°C y 5% de CO 2 en aire atmosférico y 100% de humedad relativa, usando el medio de cultivo de tejidos 199 (TCM 199). El medio, fue cambiado al segundo día y se añadió testosterona como sustrato para la producción de estradiol. El IGF- II solo o IGF-II (10 ng/mL) + FSH, se añadieron a las proporciones de 0; 0,1; 1,0; 10; 50 y 100 (ng/mL). Las concentraciones de progesterona y estradiol producidos se midieron mediante radioinmuno- ensayo. Los datos obtenidos se sometireron a análisis de varianza. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que el IGF-II, solo o IGF-II + FSH tuvieron efectos significativos (p<0,05) sobre la progesterona y el estradiol producidos por las GC cultivadas. La asociación IGF-II + FSH mostró efecto sinérgico sobre la produccion, de progesterona y estradiol por la granulosa bovina.The synergistic effects of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the effect of IGF-II alone on progesterone and estradiol production by bovine granulosa cells (GC) cultured in vitro were determined. Granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of slaughtered cows were cultured for four days in carbon (IV) oxide incubator at 37°C, 5% CO 2 in atmospheric air and 100% relative humidity, using Tissue Culture Medium 199 (TCM 199) as culture medium. The medium was changed on the second day and testosterone added to serve as substrate for estradiol production. IGF-II alone, or IGF-II (10 ng/ mL)+ FSH was added to culture medium at 0, 0.1, 1.0, 10, 50, and 100 (ng/mL) levels of inclusion. Concentrations of progesterone and estradiol produced were measured by radioimmunoassay. Data collected was statistically analysed using analysis of variance method. The results obtained showed that IGF-II alone and IGF-II + FSH had significant effects (p<0.05) on progesterone and estradiol produced by cultured GC. From the result obtained, it can be concluded that IGF-II + FSH gave better synergistic effects on bovine granulosa progesterone and estradiol production

Growth performance, carcass yield and gait score of Marshal broiler chicken reared on intensive and semi intensive management systems

The rearing system used in highly productive farms is often subjected to harsh criticism, one of the reasons being its failure to provide adequate welfare. A number of attempts have been made to introduce new technologies in rearing poultry for meat production aiming at improving rearing conditions, protecting the environment and enhancing the quality of poultry products. Given the above, one hundred and sixty eight unsexed 14-day old Marshall broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design study to compare the effect of management systems (intensive and semi intensive) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and gait score of broiler chickens. The experiment lasted for 42 d. Data were collected on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield and gait score. Result showed that birds on the intensive management system recorded higher weight gain (P 0.05; 66.94%, 11.44%) than those in semi-intensive system (54.55%, 10.92%, respectively). For the gait score broiler birds on semi intensive management system recorded reduced number of cases of severe and slight leg problems (P < 0.05, 25.76% vs 49.3%). It was concluded that broiler birds should be reared on intensive management system for better growth performance and carcass yield. However, birds reared on semi intensive management system had fewer leg problems compared to birds reared on intensive management system. The fewer severe leg problems observed in birds on semi intensive management system will help improve their market value thereby making birds more profitable to rear on semi intensive management system

Effect ofMucunaprurienson the Reproductive Tract of Giant African Land Snail (Archachatinamarginata)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Mucuna pruriens on the reproductive tract of Giant African Land snail (Archachatina marginata).Thirty (30) snails weighing between 100 to 150g were used with ten replicate per treatment. Feed given were: concentrate, mixture of concentrate and Mucuna seed meal and Mucuna seed meal only. Parameters measured include: Organ weight, Tract length, Tract weight, Ovo testis weight, shell parameters (Shell weight, Shell length, Shell width and Shell circumference) and egg number. Snail weight, organ weight, tract weight and ovo testis weight were measured with sensitive scale, while tract length, shell length, shell width and circumference were measured with tape rule. Egg number laid was manually counted after laying. Gonado Somatic Index (GSI) was also calculated as ratio of ovo testis to organ weight. At the end of eight weeks, results showed that snails fed with concentrate had higher Organ weights (119.672±6.551 vs 100.278±6.551 vs 78.915±6.551), Tract length (23.460±1.197 vs 23.270±1.197 vs 19.200±1.197), Tract weights (23.87±1.646 vs 21.805±1.646 vs 13.329±1.646), Ovo testis weights (7.853±0.0402 vs 7.307±0.0402 vs 5.318±0.0402), Shell length (11.062±0.095 vs 10.467±0.095 vs 10.735±0.095), Shell width (6.063±0.055 vs5.765±0.055 vs 5.835±0.055), Shell circumference (18.559±0.145 vs 17.590±0.145 vs 17.725±0.145) and egg number (17 vs 5 vs 0) compared to those given mucuna seed meal and mixture of mucuna seed meal and concentrate. Gonado somatic index was not significantly affected by the three feed used in this study, while those snail fed concentrate alone laid higher number of eggs compared to other feed. It was concluded from this study that concentrates support egg number, organ weight, reproductive tract development and shell increase in size. It is recommended that functionality of organ weight and reproductive tract be assessed via histological study to further evaluate the actual cellular influence of both concentrate and Mucuna seed meal.Keywords: Mucuna pruriens, Reproductive tract, Archachatina marginata, Snail

Effect of Mucuna prurienson ovo-testis histology of giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata)

A study was conducted to evaluate effect of Mucunapruriens on ovo testis histology of giant African land snail  (Archachatinamarginata). Thirty (30) snails with weight range of 100- 150g were used for the study. Ten (10) snails were assigned to each of the three dietary treatments which include: Concentrate (CON), mixture of concentrate and Mucuna seed powder (CON + MSP) and Mucuna seed powder (MSP) only. At the end of eight (8) weeks, three (3) snails each per treatment were selected and dissected. Ovo testis was harvested from each treatment and  processed for histology. Parameters monitored were: ova and spermatozoa formation in ovo testis. Results showed that snails fed with mixture of Mucuna seed powder and concentrate had well formed ova but scanty spermatozoa, while those fed with Mucuna seed powder only had severe diffuse vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of the spermatozoa. Similarly, those snails fed with concentrate alone followed the same trend with those fed with mucuna only. It wasconcluded that MSP contain substances that couldaffect spermatozoa formation but support and ova production in right quantity in giant African land snail (Archachatinamarginata). It was recommended that MSP be processed to further evaluate its potential for spermatogenic activities as professed by different authors.Keywords: Mucuna,Ovo-testis, Snail, Archachatinamarginat

Effect of Mucuna prurienson ovo-testis histology of giant African land snail (Archachatina marginata)

A study was conducted to evaluate effect of Mucunapruriens on ovo testis histology of giant African land snail  (Archachatinamarginata). Thirty (30) snails with weight range of 100- 150g were used for the study. Ten (10) snails were assigned to each of the three dietary treatments which include: Concentrate (CON), mixture of concentrate and Mucuna seed powder (CON + MSP) and Mucuna seed powder (MSP) only. At the end of eight (8) weeks, three (3) snails each per treatment were selected and dissected. Ovo testis was harvested from each treatment and  processed for histology. Parameters monitored were: ova and spermatozoa formation in ovo testis. Results showed that snails fed with mixture of Mucuna seed powder and concentrate had well formed ova but scanty spermatozoa, while those fed with Mucuna seed powder only had severe diffuse vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of the spermatozoa. Similarly, those snails fed with concentrate alone followed the same trend with those fed with mucuna only. It wasconcluded that MSP contain substances that couldaffect spermatozoa formation but support and ova production in right quantity in giant African land snail (Archachatinamarginata). It was recommended that MSP be processed to further evaluate its potential for spermatogenic activities as professed by different authors.Keywords: Mucuna,Ovo-testis, Snail, Archachatinamarginat