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

Giardia Infection in Recently Acclimatized Kalahari Red Goats in Nigeria

Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in recently acquired and acclimatized Kalahari Red goats in Nigeria was determined using a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Giardia duodenalis coproantigens were detected in 46.9% of the faecal samples collected from 98 Kalahari Red goats. The highest (58.1%) and lowest rates (38.2%) were recorded in pre-weaned goat kids up to three months of age and adults goats over one year of age respectively. Infection was higher in females (56.8%) and diarrhoeic goats (75.0%) than males (38.9%) and non-diarrhoeic goats (45.7%) respectively. No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the infection rates among age categories, sexes and stool consistencies of the goats. The results of this study showed a high prevalence of Giardia infection in the Kalahari Red goat herd which may imply that they are susceptible to giardiasis if managed under conditions that may facilitate transmission from infected indigenous animals.Key words: ELISA, Giardia, goat, Kalahari Red, Nigeria

Haematological and serum biochemical indices of three different strains of pullets supplemented with Khaya senegalensis stem bark meal as anticoccidial in the diets

The effects of supplementing different levels of Mahogany (khaya senegalensis) stem bark (KSSB) meal in the diet of pullets on some blood parameters was investigated. A total of 360 day-old chicks were arraigned in a 5 x 3 factorial design of 5 dietary levels (Diet 1 served as negative control without supplementation, Diet 2 was supplemented with 100 mg/kg of anticoccidiostat (sulphaquinoxaline) , Diets 3 and 4 were supplemented with 100 and 200mg/kg KSSB respectively at intervals of 21st - 27th, 42nd – 48th and 112th – 118th day, while diet 5 was supplemented with 100mg/kg KSSB which was continuously fed from 1st -118th day) and 3 strains of chickens (Isa Brown, Nera Black and Oba Blue). Results showed (P<0.05) lowered packed cell volume (PCV) and higher white blood cell count in Isa brown and Nera black fed diet 1. Uric acid, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase values were highest (P< 0.05) in pullets fed diets 1 and 5 irrespective of the strain. These results revealed that KSSB at 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg can be included in the diets of pullets at intervals without deleterious effect on the health of the birds. However, continuous usage of KSSB in the diet of the pullets showed some level of toxicity in the blood.Keywords: haematological indices, khaya senegalensis, pullets, biochemical parameter

Effect of supplementing Morinda lucida (Brimstone) leaf meal in the diets on the Performance, Intestinal and Tissue Microbial count of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Morinda lucida leaf meal on growth performance, tissue and gastro-intestinal tract microbial count of broiler chickens. A total of 198 one-day old Marshal Broiler chicks were randomly assigned into six treatments in a 3x2 factorial design of four replicates each. The six dietary treatments consist of the basal diet supplemented at 0, 0.1 and 0.2 g/kg Morinda lucida with or without routine medication. Body weight and feed intake were weighed per replicate on weekly basis for eight weeks while the microbiology assay of the tissue and intestine samples was  determined by total  viable bacterial and total coliform counts at the end of the fourth and eighth week. Addition of M. lucida to the diets significantly (P<0.05) improved weight gain and survivability at the starter phase with or without routine medication. Broiler chickens fed M. lucida in the diet with medication recorded higher feed intake than those without medication. M. lucida inhibited the growth of detected bacteria either at the starter or finisher phase with the exception of Staphylococcus saprophyticus and  Escherichia coli. The total viable bacteria count was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the intestine and tissue of chickens fed M. lucida supplemented diets than chickens fed control diet. Total coliform count in the intestine and tissue of the chickens did not show any significant (P>0.05) difference among all the treatment groups. The study reveals that Morinda lucida was able to  reduce Psuedomonas aeruginosa  Streptococcus spp, Micrococcus spp and Enterobacter spp. activities in the gastrointestinal tract resulting in improved performance.Keywords: broiler chicken, Morinda lucida, microbiological assa

Haematology and serum biochemical profile of Kalahari Red goats reared in the hot-humid south-west Nigeria

The aim of this study was to determine the biochemical and haematological profiles of Kalahari Red goats reared in the tropical environment. The Kalahari Red goats were imported into Nigeria from South Africa by the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria. The study was carried out on fifty animals of both sexes. The animals were managed under semi-intensive system where they were allowed to go out and graze on paddocks during some part of the day and brought back to the pens in the evening. The goats were fed with concentrate and grazed on sown pastures of Chloris gayana and Stylosanthes amata. Water was given ad-libitum. The serum biochemical analysis was determined using RandoxR analysis kits. The sex of each animal was noted and recorded. The packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were determined as haematological parameters while total protein, albumin, globulin, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus were determined in serum analysis. The results showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in all the haematological parameters determined across sex. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in total protein and albumin across sex of which the mean values were higher in the female goats. The value of the mean total protein in the female goats was 5.93±0.88 while the value was 5.31±0.23 in the male goats. It can be concluded that sex did not have any influence on the haematology but had association on only the protein component of the serum biochemistry. This result obtained can be used as a reference value for Kalahari Red goats reared in the tropics and under similar nutrition.&nbsp

Leukocyte profile of different breeds of the Nigerian cattle in haemoparasitic infection

An examination of the leukocyte profile of different breeds of cattle was carried out to determine the effects of haemoparasites, sex aand breed on the leukoctes. The effects of haemoparasite, sex and breed on the leukocytes were determined using parasitological methods. A total of 452 cattle comprising of 174 cows and 278 bulls were examined. The breeds included 78 ‘Red Bororo’, 14 ‘Sokoto Gudali’ and 360 ‘White Fulani’. The total white blood cell (WBC) count and differential counts of WBC were determined using Neubauer Chamber and Thin blood smear techniques. Data generated were analysed using Genstat statistical software, with sex, breed and haemparasite species detected as factors. Results showed that 22% of the cattle were infected with haemoparasites while 78% were parasite-free. The parasites were Trypanosoma congolence (4%), Anaplasma centrale (2%), Babesia bovis (14%), A. centrale + B. bovis (1%) and Babesia divergens (1%). Parasite species identified significantly did not influence (P < 0.001) the WBC and the differential counts (neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes and monocytes). Since there is fluctuation of the various fractions of the leukocytes in the course of haemoparasite infection, this may explain for the insignificant influence of the factor (haemoparasite) on the mean values of the leukocytes.Key words: Differential counts, Nigerian cattle breeds, Parasitology

Breed and diurnal effects on leptin and glucose concentrations in tropical cattle

The effects of breed and time of day was evaluated on plasma leptin and glucose concentrations in four breeds of cattle. The breeds were Muturu, White Fulani, Ndama and Muturu x White Fulani cross. Animals had ad-libitum access to feed and water. Each animal was weighed daily and bled by jugular venipuncture using Vacutainer kits for three consecutive days. Plasma leptin was determined using the Millipore Multi-species radioimmunoassay and plasma glucose was determined using the Wako Autokit Glucose technique. Plasma leptin was significantly (P<0.0001) dependent on breed. The Muturu breed had the lowest amount of leptin (3.9 ± 1.8 ng/ml) while the White Fulani breed had the highest level (8.5 ± 3.2 ng/ml). There was a significant correlation between bodyweight andleptin. Leptin level was not affected by time of day. Mean plasma glucose ranged from 42.7 to 54.7 mg/dL and was significantly (P = 0.019)  dependent on cattle breed. Also, time of day had no effect on plasma   glucose concentration. These data indicated that significant breed differences exist in leptin concentrations in tropical cattle. These differences may reflect the disparity in muscularity and adiposity in the breeds.Keywords: adiposity, muscularity, Nigerian taurine bovine, radioimmunoassa

Moringa leaf meal supplementation for sheep: Effect on weight gain, blood serum chemistry and carcass characteristics

This study was conducted to assess growth performance, serum chemistry and carcass characteristics of West African Dwarf sheep fed varying levels of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) as concentrate diets. Eighteen growing sheep of varying live weights (9 – 17kg) were divided into three groups that comprised six animals each, and balanced for live weight. Each group was fed one of three experimental diets containing 0% (control diet), 5% and 10% MLM, respectively, for 37 days after a 21--day quarantine period in a completely randomized design; each animal being considered a replicate. There were no treatment effects on live weight gain (P>0.05) and serum chemistry except on alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase where highest values (20.33 and 128.33 IU/L, respectively) were recorded in the control-diet sheep. Apart from Urea, values of blood chemistry were within normal reference range for clinically healthy animals. However, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in dressing percentage, breast muscle and liver weight, with highest values of 94.42% (in 10% MLM), 1.68 % (in 5% MLM), and 1.84 % (in 5% MLM), respectively. Thus, inclusion of up to 10% MLM in concentrate diet may not cause any major health disorders in West African dwarf sheep while supplementation at 5% level may improve carcass quality.Keywords: Sheep, Moringa, blood biochemistry and carcass characteristic

Assessment of Tick Infestation and its Effects on Growth of Extensively Managed Cattle in Ogun State, Nigeria

One hundred and twenty cattle of ages of <1 year and < 3 years old were used to study the effects of tick infestation on linear body measurements, haemoparasites, and rectal temperature. Twenty cattle herds, each from 6 Local Government Areas (LGA) of Ogun State, namely Yewa South, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ipokia, Yewa North, Imeko-Afon and Odeda LGAs were used. Estimation of total tick infestation per animal was done by collecting ticks manually from half of the body of the cattle and multiplying by two. Height at withers, heart girth and body length of the sampled animals were measured in centimetres (using measuring tape) to determine the growth performance of the animals. The data generated were subjected to One-Way Analysis of Variance. Also, correlation and regression analyses were carried out to determine relationships among variables. The results indicated that the mean occurrence of tick infested cattle was 45.42%. The least occurrence (35.00%) was observed in Odeda LGA in the derived savannah vegetation, while the highest occurrence (58.83%) was recorded in Yewa South LGA. Tick infestation rate was more pronounced in July and decreased progressively towards December. Older animals (2-3 years) were more susceptible to tick infestation than the younger ones. Prevalence of tick species identified in order of frequency was Rhipicephalus spp (34.02%), Boophilus spp (31.58%), Ambylomma spp (31.285), and Hyalomma spp (3.12%). Linear body measurements of cattle in this study showed that heart girth, height at withers and body length increased (P>0.05) with tick infestation. Also, rectal temperature and level of haemoparasites decreased (P<0.05) with tick infestation. Babesia and Anaplasma were the tick-borne parasites found in blood of infested cattle. It was concluded that, cattle reared in Ogun State are prone to tick infestation due to the enabling prevailing vegetation and climatic conditions.Keywords:  Ticks, Haemoparasites, Cattle, Growth, Ogun State

Survey of disease status of chickens in some poultry farms in south-west Nigeria

A survey of health status of chickens in poultry farms in some local government areas (LGA) of Ogun State was carried out to determine the common chicken disease. Structured interview guides were administered through stratified and random sampling in six LGAs of Ogun state, viz. Odeda, Ewekoro, Ifo, Obafemi-Owode, Abeokuta South and Abeokuta North LGA, respectively. A total of 80 respondents who were the owners of the Poultry Farms were successfully interviewed and data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics to establish prevalent chicken diseases, and Chi-square analysis to determine associations between socio-economic characteristics of respondents and disease status of their flock. Coccidiosis was the major cause of ill-health in flocks. Significant relationships were established as follows: access to extension services and flock size (p=0.001), extension services and feeding of birds (p=0.001), extension services and shelter (p=0.003), extension services and healthcare (p=0.006), extension services and total sick (p=0.001), extension services and action on sick (p=0.044), access to veterinary services and flock size (p=0.003), veterinary services and feeding (p=<0.001), veterinary services and sheltering (p<0.001), veterinary services and healthcare (p<0.001), veterinary services and action on sick birds (p<0.001). It was concluded that socio-economic characteristics of farmers in the study area could influence health status of chickens.Key words: Disease surveillance, poultry management, socio-economic characteristics