Validation of the polysemen admixture on viability and acrosomal morphology of boar spermatozoa

Semen were collected using artificial vagina (AV), from 5 large white boars aged 2-2.5 years twice a week for 16 weeks in each of the two seasons, early rainy (ER) and late rainy (LR) seasons, to determine the effects of multiple semen pool admixture on the viability and acrosomal morphology. The semen qualities studied were sperm motility, live sperm and sperm concentration, while the acrosomal parameters includes normal apical ridge (NAR), damaged apical ridge (DAR), missing apical ridge (MAR) and loose apical ridge (LAC). There were no significant (P>0.05) seasonal effects. Three-boar semen admixture gave the highest percentage NAR, motility, live sperm concentration and least DAR and LAC, although these were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the 2-boar semen admixture. The result of this study suggests that 3-boar semen admixture is most suitable for use in artificial insemination program

Frequency Of Isolation Of Salmonella From Commercial Poultry Feeds And Their Anti-Microbial Resistance Profiles, Imo State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of isolation of salmonella and their microbial resistance profiles across different commercial poultry feeds sold in Imo State, Nigeria. Thirty-six bulk feed samples were colleted from 154 bag across different feed types and brands which included Guinea (GF), Top (TF), Vital (VF), Extra (EF), Animal care (AF) and livestock (LF) feeds. The salmonella isolated were tested against 14 anti-microbial drugs using the disc diffusion method. Bacterial load enumeration of the samples indicated a range of <30 colony forming unit (CFU) to overgrowth at 104 serial dilutions. Eight feed samples (22.2%) which cuts across the entire feed brands expect EF were positive for salmonella. The highest prevalence of 28.8% and 25.0% were recorded for LF and TF respectively, while VF, GF and AF had 11.1 and 10.0% respectively. Salmonella isolates showed high rates of resistance (51-100%) against nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, tetracycline and ceftriazole, while moderate rates (31-50%) were recorded for chloramphenicol, oxfloxacin and cotrimoxazole. Low resistance rates (1-30%) were on the other hand recorded against ciprofloxacin and amoxycillin clavulanate (Augumentine), whereas zero resistance was demonstrated against pefloxacin, gentamycin, streptomycin and nalidixic. Commercial feeds form important channels for the dissemination of multi-drug resistant salmonella in Imo State, Nigeria

Blood chemistry and relative organ weights of rabbits fed neem leaf meal based diets

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of neem leaf meal (NLM) based diets on blood and relative organ weight characteristics of rabbits. In the first experiment, 36 rabbit bucks aged 7 to 8 months were distributed into four dietary groups, T1 , T2 T3 and T4 of 9 rabbits using completely randomized design. Each group was replicated 3 times with 3 rabbits per replicate. Rabbits in T1 group were fed diet that contained 0% NLM while those in T2 T3 and T4 groups were fed diets that contained NLM at 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively for 112 days. In the second experiment, 36 rabbit does were used and experimental procedures were laid out as described in experiment 1. Blood samples for analysis, live weight and organ weights were collected from each replicate and data obtained analysed statistically. Higher (p&lt;0.05) kidney weight was obtained for rabbit does on diets T2 T3 and T4 . Bucks on diet T2 recorded significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher pancreas weight than those on diet T1 diet. No significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on haematological parameters was observed among all treatments except for MCV and neutrophils which were significantly (p&lt;0.05) decreased in the groups fed diets T2 and T4 and diets T1 and T3 groups respectively than others. Rabbit bucks and does on diet T1 recorded significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher serum cholesterol values than those on the other diets. Serum glucose value of rabbits on diet T4 was significantly (p&lt;0.05) different from those on the other diets. Serum ALP value of rabbits on diet T1 differed significantly (p&lt;0.05) from those on the other 3 diets with the exception of bucks on diet T4 that had similar value with those on diet T1 . Addition of neem leaf meal in rabbit diets increased serum AST and ALT values but the differences were not significant (p&gt;0.05). It was therefore concluded that up to 5% of neem leaf meal can be included in the diet of pubertal rabbits without any deleterious effects on their organs and blood characteristics.Keywords: Rabbits, neem leaf meal, haematology, serum biochemistry, organ

Egg Production Potentials of Muscovy Ducks (Cairina moschata) Raised Under Three Management Systems in the Humid Tropics

Egg production potentials of Muscovy duck was evaluated in three management systems; semi-intensive management system (SI), intensive management system with wallow (IW) and intensive management system without wallow (IO). Sixty female Muscovy ducks were divided into three groups of 20 each on weight equalization basis. The groups were randomly assigned to three management systems in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. Each group was replicated and raised in deep litter compartments. Ducks in IW and IO were fed ad libitum while those in SI were fed same quantity and quality of feed on a restricted basis [morning (07.00 &#8211; 08.00hours) and evening (16.00 &#8211; 18.00hours)]. Ducks in intensive management systems came into lay significantly (P&lt;0.05) earlier, (IO, 203 days and IW, 207 days) than ducks in semi-intensive management system (248 days). Eggs from ducks in IO and IW were significantly (P&lt;0.05) heavier (76.35 and 76.27g, respectively) than eggs from those in SI. Clutch sizes were significantly (P&lt;0.05) larger IO and IW (19 and 18.73 eggs, respectively) than SI (16.23 eggs). There was however, no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) between ducks in IO and IW in all the parameters measured. Ducks in the intensive management systems (IO and IW) appear to exhibit better egg laying potentials than those on Semi intensive management system

Effect of Feeding Sun Dried Cocoyam (Xanthosoma Sagittifolium) Corm Meal on the Performance of Starter Broilers

The effects of different levels of cocoyam corm meal on performance of starter broilers were determined in a 28-day feeding trial. Five diets containing cocoyam corm meal at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels and labeled T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively were formulated and fed to one hundred and fifty (150) starter broilers (Hybro strain) in a completely randomized design experiment in which each treatment group was replicated thrice. Each replicate contained 10 birds. Birds fed T3, T4 and T5 diets had significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower daily weight gain than the control group T1 and T2 group birds that were similar (p&gt;0.05). Feed intake values of the birds on 5, 10 and 15% cocoyam corm meal were significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower than that of T1 and T5 birds. Feed conversion ratio of birds on T1 and T2 were significantly lower and better than that of T3, T4 and T5 dietary group. Analysis of the results revealed that starter broilers could tolerate up to 20% level of inclusion of cocoyam corm meal without serious deleterious effects on their performance. The significance of this research finding is that sun drying alone can achieve the incorporation of cocoyam corm meal to the tone of 20% in broiler starter ration. Keywords: Broiler chicks, nutrition, cocoyam corm meal, maiz