Sex Comparison of White Fulani Cattle Blood Profile in Southwestern Nigeria

Sexual dimorphism has been established in the brain regions of farm animals and poultry, but for their blood, reports do not agree as to differences at the same age. While some reports show no differences except for pregnant and lactating females, others indicate otherwise. This study was carried out to investigate the blood of white Fulani breed of cattle in southwestern Nigeria if there could be differences at same mature age (4yr). A total of 100 cattle were used consisting of 50 bulls and 50 cows. Full haematology was investigated using the Vet AutoHaemoanalyser machine. Some serum metabolites were also investigated including total Protein, Albumin and total cholesterol. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (AOVA). The results show that white blood cell count (WBC) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in females (17.23±1.08) than in males (12.25±0.77). Mean Corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) also showed sex differences with females having higher and significant (P<0.05) average value (33.8±0.19) than males (32.6±0.24). The results from Serum analysis show that bulls (with 37.8±0.54) have higher and significant (P<0.05) Albumin values than cows (34.9±0.29). Though the results obtained in this study fall within normal ranges for this species, it however does not indicate any specific sex effect for this breed.Keywords: cattle, blood, se

A Fischery Closing Proposal in Ayamé's Dam in Order to a Rational Management (Ivory Coast)

The exploitation of 10 main commercial fish species of Ayamé man-made lake, Ivory Coast, is discussed and their reproductive cycles are analyzed. Two proposals are made for rational stock management, based on the protection of the breeding seasons of the major species, particularly Sarotherodon melanotheron, which forms more than 50% of the landed biomass. The first proposal is to declare a three-month universal closed season from March to May, coinciding with the sexual maturation peak of Sarotherodon melanotheron as well as with a period of intense fishing activity. The second proposal, which takes into account the lake's two-compartment morphology, and the duration of the breeding season of Sarotherodon melanotheron, is to proclaim alternating closed seasons in the two compartments throughout that three-months breeding season

Bacteria and digestive enzymes in the alimentary tract of the giant African land snails, Archarchatina marginata and Achatina achatina

A study was carried out to investigate the bacteria flora in the gut of the Giant African Land Snails (GALS), Archarchatina marginata and Achatina achatina. Microflora cultures from snail gut contents were prepared to isolate and identify microorganisms within the snail digestive tract. Enzyme assays were carried out on a few of the microorganisms to determine the presence and level of enzymatic activities. Results showed that a wide range of bacteria inhabit the alimentary tract of GALS. Bacteria isolates from the stomach (Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas syringae) and mouth regions (Aeroccus viridians and Azobacter chroococcum) in the two species of GALS effectively digested starch, cellulose and casein. However, Bacillus species from the stomach region in A. achatina exhibited the highest enzymatic activities for cellulase (10.00 μmol/min/ml at 18 h), protease (23.97 μmol/min/ml at 18 h) and amylase (9.56 μmol/min/ml at 24 h) during incubation. Consequently, results from the present study confirmed that amylolytic, cellulolytic and proteolytic bacteria within the digestive tract of the two species of GALS do aid in the snail's digestive processes.Keywords: Microorganisms, snail gut, enzyme activity and Giant African Land Snail

Effect of Egg Weight on Hatching Weight and Incubation Period in Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata)

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of egg weight on hatching weight and incubation period in Giant African land snail. A total of 30 Archachatina marginata eggs comprising of four weight range categories (1.24-1.55, 1.56-2.14, 2.15-2.83 and 2.84-3.20 g) were obtained from Dams of different body weight ranges ( 100g-150g, 151-200g, 201- 250g) from Snail Physiology Research Unit of the College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Eggs were incubated, after which both incubation period and hatching weight after hatching were monitored. Results obtained showed that egg weight group had significant effect (P<0.001) on hatching weight. Egg weight with weight range of 2.84-3.20 had the highest hatching weight, followed by 2.15-2.14 while other two (1.24-1.55 and 1.56-2.14 g) were not significantly different from each other. Furthermore, egg weight had no significant effect (P>0.05) on incubation period. Positive significant correlation was obtained between egg weight and hatching weight, and also dam weight and hatching weight. It was concluded that egg weight had effect on hatching weight of eggs. It was also discovered that egg weight had no meaningful effect on incubation period.Keywords: Egg weight, Incubation period, Hatching weight, Archachatina marginat

Prevalence and distribution of Wuchereria bancrofti in Ose Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is one of the neglected tropical diseases endemic in Nigeria. Epidemiological studies were conducted to determine the prevalence, distribution and clinical signs of the disease in three communities of Ose LGA, Ondo State from October 2014 to January 2015. One thousand and ninety consented participants enrolled for the study. 100 μl of blood from finger-prick, were tested using the Binax Now® Immunochromatographic Test (ICT) which detects Wuchereria bancrofti antigens. Physical observations were conducted for clinical signs of LF in addition to demographic parameters. Chi-square test was used to establish statistical significance of relationship between variables (p<0.05) using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19.0. Of the 1,090 blood specimens examined, 291 (27%) were positive for infection with W. bancrofti. Analysis of the infection across the communities revealed a significant (p<0.05) relationship in the distribution of the infection. Further analysis of results showed that 108 (27%) out of the 394 males were positive and 183 (26%) of 696 females were positive for LF. However, the distribution of infection among the sexes were not significant (p>0.05). Infection among age-groups was higher in the 36-45 age-group (36%) and varied among the other age-groups but with no significant difference (p>0.05). Infection was significantly (p<0.05) higher among the public servants with 34% than the other groups and the least among students (15%). Clinical manifestations found in the study were hydrocele (0.3%) and leg lymphoedema (0.7%). Detection of W. bancrofti antigens indicates that an entomological study has is recommended to determine the transmitting vector and advocate an effective control.Keywords: lymphatic filariasis, immunochromatographic test (ICT), distribution, prevalence, Ose LG