Assessment of processed rock phosphate as source of inorganic phosphorus and substitute for bone meal in broiler diets

A feeding trial was conducted for six weeks to assess the optimum replacement value of processed rock phosphate (PRP) for bone meal and as a source of inorganic phosphorus in maize-cotton seed meal based diets. A total of 144 day old Anack 80 strain broiler chicks were used. Triplicate groups of 12 birds were randomly placed on 4 diets containing 0. 1.8, 2.8 and 5.64% PRP which contributed 0, 0.16, 0.25 and 0.5% inorganic phosphorus in the diets respectively.Results showed PRP levels in diets had no significant (P>0.05) effect cm weight gain, growth rate and feed intake at 0 - 4 weeks. When 2.8% PRP replaced 2% of bone meal, feed efficiency was not significantly different from those birds fed 3% bone meal in control diet. Inclusion of 5.64% PRP significantly (P<0.01) depressed feed efficiency more than other treatment groups during the period. Addition of 5.64% PRP supported higher growth rate than other treatment group during 5 - 6 weeks, but this was not significantly different from birds fed on control and 2.8% PRP diets. Feed efficiency was significantly (P>0.01) lowest in the group fed on 1.8% PRP diet. Weight gain, growth rate and feed intake were not significantly (P<0.01) affected by treatments during 0 - 6 weeks.It was concluded that 5.64% PRP which supplied 0.5% inorganic phosphorus supported optimum performance in broiled birds replacing 100% bone meal in control diet and caused growth that was equivalent to the group fed on 3% bone meal in control diet.Keywords: Processed Rock Phosphate, Substitute. Inorganic Phosphorus, Bone Meal

A comparative sstudy of the physical and chemical characteristics of guinea fowl and domestic chicken eggs

No Abstract

Changes in Serum Transaminases with Haart Administration in Women of Reproductive Age in Benin, Nigeria

This study is aimed at establishing the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT)of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive reproductive aged women both in the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles, using serum. A hundred women aged between 18-40 years (mean=29years) were considered with fifty seronegative women of same age group as controls. The study was prospective and carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), a tertiary institution that has bed compliment of over 700 patients and serves as a referral center for many states in the country of Nigeria. The subjects were recruited before the commencement of HAART and monitored for nine months at three months interval after the initiation of therapy. The transaminases were measured in both the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle using their serum. Infection by HIV was observed to have led to significant elevations in ASTin both the follicular and luteal phases while the ALT was significantly elevated in the follicular phase and decreased in the luteal phase. With HAART administration, significant decreases were observed in all phases from the third month to the end of study. HAART lowered the AST and ALT which were elevated by HIV infection. HAART led to a significant decrease in the levels of AST and ALT which were elevated by HIV infection against hepatotoxicity as suggested by some researches showing that the sex hormones might have great influence on the effect of HAART.Keywords: Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), HIV, Follicular phase, Luteal phas