Effects of Moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) Leaf Meal on Performance, Carcass, Organs, Eggs and Meat of Japanese Quails

There are several reports on the utilisation of Moringa oleifera in poultry diets due to its essential bioactive compounds yet,little is known about its influence on Japanese quail eggs and meat qualities. Hence, the need to examine performance, eggs and meat qualities of Japanese quail hens fed M.oleifera leaf. To achieve this, 240 Japanese quail chicks were allocated to three dietary treatments: D1: control, 0.0% (without M. oleifera leaf meal),D2: (0.5% M. oleifera leaf meal) and D3: (1% M.oleifera leaf meal). Data on performance, carcass, organs, eggs and meat qualities were collected and subjected to ANOVA at 0.05. Results revealed that feed consumption was lowest (2,701g) in D1 and highest (2,800g) in D2, carcass weight varied from 100 - 100.67g, thigh weight (12.66 - 13.58g) and breast weight was highest (40.41g) in D3. Liver weight was lowest (3.25g) in D1, kidney was largest (0.91g) in D3 whereas, the heart, gizzard and spleen weights ranged from 1.00 - 1.16g, 3.08 - 3.50g and 0.04 - 0.08g, respectively. In the eggs, crude protein (10.94%), crude fat (6.71%), ash (1.36%), high-density lipoprotein (96.12mg/100g) and low-density lipoprotein (120.67mg/100g) were highest in D1. Total cholesterol (364.08mg/100g) and triglycerides (147.27mg/100g) were least in D1 and the caloric value varied from 1.46 -1.47kcal/g. In the meat, crude protein (17.14%) and energy value (1.96kcal/g) were best in D2 but, crude fat (12.62%), ash (2.85%) and carbohydrates(1.31%) were superior in D3. In both eggs and meat, no crude fibre (0.0%) was detected. In any case, all the parameter values were within the normal ranges given in healthy Japanese quails at similar age. Consequently,addition of M. oleifera leaf meal at 1.0% to Japanese quail diets might not depress performance, affect carcass quality, cause organs dysfunctions but may improve nutritional quality of the eggs and meat

Analyses of swine tissue samples for evidence of African swine fever in pig producing states of Nigeria

This paper reports the current situation of African swine fever (ASF) that devastated the pig production enterprise of Nigeria. The disease was confirmed through laboratory tests in 18 States of Nigeria covering of the southeast, southwest, southsouth and central states of the country. The samples were derived from the various submissions made by state veterinary authorities to the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom. The staff of the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom also collected a few others, during field investigations. Tests performed for antibody detection of ASFV were indirect ELISA and Immunoblotting assays according to standard protocols of the Office of International Epizootics. The suspect tissues were also tested for ASFV genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, while DNA extraction was performed using guanidinum thiocyanate method as well as immunoflourescence technique. A total of 530 serum samples were collected and tested from cross section of pigs from 23 states of the Federation, covering a large segment of the swine producing states of the country. Overall prevalence rate as determined by indirect ELISA test and immunoblotting assay is 34.3%. Prevalence was higher in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe and Kebbi states. Most of the tissue samples tested were positive for ASF virus using a combination of direct immunoflourescence and polymerase chain reaction. Emphasis is dwelt on the epidemiology and the practical problems associated with control of the disease. Our capacity to control ASF in the coming years depends largely on careful consideration of this report with proper partnership between government, pig farmers and veterinarians. Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(2) 2006: 70-7

Diagnosis of canine rabies by the direct fluorescent antibody technique in Plateau State, Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol. 29 (2) 2008: pp. 20-2

A quantitative evaluation of damage in normal appearing white matter in patients with multiple sclerosis using diffusion tensor MR imaging at 3 T

The white matter (WM) of the brain is damaged in multiple sclerosis (MS), even in areas that appear normal on standard MR imaging. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the damage of normal appearing white matter (NAWM) in patients with MS. In our study, 84 MS patients and 42 healthy adults underwent a routine brain MRI, including also diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). All studies were performed on a 3 T MRI scanner. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were obtained. The DTI parameters of NAWM were correlated with expanded disability status scales (EDSS) scores. Our results showed statistically significant differences in FA and ADC values between MS plaques and the symmetrical NAWM, as also between NAWM and the respective white matter in controls. The ADC values of the NAWM correlated with the EDSS scores. The present study demonstrated damage of the NAWM in MS patients, using DTI in 3.0 T. DTI may be used in the detection of subtle damage of the white matter

Impact of sperm DNA chromatin in the clinic

The paternal contribution to fertilization and embryogenesis is frequently overlooked as the spermatozoon is often considered to be a silent vessel whose only function is to safely deliver the paternal genome to the maternal oocyte. In this article, we hope to demonstrate that this perception is far from the truth. Typically, infertile men have been unable to conceive naturally (or through regular IVF), and therefore, a perturbation of the genetic integrity of sperm heads in infertile males has been under-considered. The advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) however has led to very successful treatment of male factor infertility and subsequent widespread use in IVF clinics worldwide. Until recently, little concern has been raised about the genetic quality of sperm in ICSI patients or the impact genetic aberrations could have on fertility and embryogenesis. This review highlights the importance of chromatin packaging in the sperm nucleus as essential for the establishment and maintenance of a viable pregnancy