Actellic 2% dust as pesticide in feed ingredients: Effects on haematological and serum metabolites in growing rabbits

The study was designed to evaluate the tolerance, survivability, hematological and biochemical indices of weaner rabbits fed diet contaminated with varying levels of Actellic 2% dust. The effects of thepesticide on the clinical state of the animals were also appraised. A uniform diet was compounded from ingredients certified to be apparently pesticide residue-free. This diet was partitioned into 5 sub-diets.The first partition A had no residue, serving as control, while B, C, D, and E had 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04% inclusion of the Actellic 2% dust, respectively. A total of 20 rabbits of mixed breeds and sexeswere used in the experiment. The animals were balanced for breed, sex and weight in a completely randomized design experiment. Four animals each were placed on each treatment diets for 45 days which were preceded by 3 weeks of acclimatization. Blood was collected and analysed at the end of the experiment. Haematological parameters (PCV, WBC, RBC, ESR, platelets, MCV, MCH, MCHC) andbiochemical parameters (urea, serum protein, ALP, SGOT, SGPT, K+) were comparable in all groups and found not to be statistically (p >0.o5) influenced. Whereas heamoglobin, monocyte, eosinophil, Na+ andcreatinine were statistically influenced (P < 0.05). Only one mortality was recorded in treatment group with the highest dose. The results generally showed that weaner rabbits can tolerate the presence ofActellic dust in feed up to 0.03%. At this dose, the Actellic dust does not have much adverse effect on haematological and biochemical parameters. Higher concentration of 0.04% can result in manifestationof toxicity symptoms and sometimes death, such values are rarely naturally present in feeds. However, animals which are able to tolerate high values hardly manifest poor performances

Haematological and blood biochemical indices of West African dwarf goats vaccinated against Pestes des petit ruminants (PPR)

The effect of Pestes des petit ruminants (PPR) vaccine on haemoglobin genotype, haematological andblood biochemical indices of forty randomly selected West African dwarf (WAD) goats were studied.Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), neutrophil (NEU), lymphocyte (LYM),albumin (ALB), total blood protein (TBP), and globulin (GLO) concentrations were evaluated regardingbody weight, sex, location and Peste des petit ruminants vaccine (PPRV) treatment on the traits.Haematological and blood biochemical determinations were performed pre- and 14 days postvaccinationagainst PPR with PPRV. Body weight, sex, location and PPRV had no influence on packedcell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb) but exerted significant (

Effect of Formative Classroom Assessment on Students’ Academic Achievement in Junior Secondary School Basic Science in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria

The research investigated the effect of formative classroom assessment on students’ achievement in junior secondary school Basic science in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study adopted a pre-test, post–test experimental design. The population of the study comprised all the public Junior Secondary School two (JSS II) students out of which 80 students were purposively sampled and used for the study. Basic Science Achievement Test (BSAT) was used for the pre-test and post–test. The instrument was content validated by Basic science teachers who are experts in the subject. The reliability of the BSAT was determined by the test-retest method yielding a reliability co-efficient of 0.70. Data collected were analysed using paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test at 0.05 level of significant. The Findings revealed that formative classroom assessment had effect on the students’ academic achievement in favour of the experimental group; formative classroom assessment was also found to improve the students’ academic achievement as observed in the difference between pre-test and post-test in favour of the post-test; and no significant difference in the scores of male and female exposed to the formative classroom assessment. It was recommended that teaching and learning at the junior secondary school should be improved by regular formative classroom assessment with adequate feedback and remediation for learners to improve their academic achievement. Keywords: Assessment, Formative assessment, Classroom, Academic achievement DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-15-22 Publication date:May 31st 201

Effects of aqueous leaf extract of velvet bean (Mucuna ruriens) on reproductive outcome in adult female Wistar rats

From ancient times in many parts of the world, herbal medications have been used for the treatment of various ailments. Mucuna pruriens is a leguminous plant that has various medicinal purposes. Literature reports state that it enhances normal fertility, healthy sperm and ova, proper functioning of the reproductive organs and appropriate genital secretions. This present study was done to study the effects of the aqueous leaf extract of M. pruriens on reproductive outcome in adult female Wistar rats. Twenty-four adult Wistar rats were used for this research. These animals were randomly divided into four groups of six (6) rats each. The animals were weighed before commencement and during the period of the experiment. All animals received water and feed ad libitum. Group A served as control. Groups B and C received 500mg and 1500mg/kg bodyweight of extract respectively for 10days before mating. Group D comprised of the male animals used for mating the females. After littering, the pups were counted and weighed. The statistical apparatus used for analyzing the data was IBM/SPSS version 20 and the method employed was ANOVA. Results were taken to be statistically significant when P&lt;0.05. Group B showed no significant increase (P&gt;0.05) in bodyweight change of dams as well as in pup weight. Group C on the other hand showed a significant increase (P&lt;0.05) both in the bodyweight change of dams but not in pup weight. A dose dependent increase in reproductive outcome and pregnancy success rate was observed in animals of group B and C. Findings from this study indicate that Mucuna pruriens has pro-fertility potential. It is therefore safe to administer extract in experimental animals to enhance their reproductive ability.Keyword: Mucuna pruriens, reproductive outcome, fertility, litter siz

Comparative studies on the cardiovascular system in the wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Agama Lizard (Agama agama)

This paper is a comparative investigation on the cardiovascular system in the Wistar rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Agama lizard (Agama agama).The structural development of the heart differs from the two chambered heart of the fish, to the three chambered heart of the lizard and four chambered heart of the rat. This difference in structure also affects their mode of blood circulation. The purpose of this study was to determine if the anatomical structure of the heart of mammal (Wistar rat) and reptile (Agama lizard) differs and affects their mode of blood circulation and muscular activities. Five adult Wistar rats and Five Agama lizards were used for this Study. Result showed differences in the anatomical structure of the heart of the mammal (Wistar rat) and reptile (Agama lizard) as well as their erythrocytes and mode of blood circulation. This difference in the structure of the heart of these vertebrates explains why the lizards interrupt their movement when compared to the rat.Keywords: Heart, Wistar rats and Agama lizar

Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Mucuna Pruriens (Linn.) on the weight and histology of the testis and epididymis in adult male Wistar rats

Mucuna pruriens, a leguminous plant common to Africa and Asia has been used for managing infertility in males, disorder of the nervous system, and also as an aphrodisiac. This study was aimed at investigating the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Mucuna pruriens on the weight of the animals, reproductive organs (testis and epididymis) and histology of the testis and epididymis. Twenty- five adult male Wistar rats weighing above 200g were randomized into five (5) groups consisting five (5) rats each. Group A received 1ml sterile water via oral route to compensate for stress of administration incurred in the treated groups. Group B1 and B2 received 500mg/kg body weight via oral route for 4 and 8 weeks respectively and group C1 and C2 received 1500mg/kg body weight of extract via oral route daily for 4 and 8 respectively. The extract did not cause any significant change in the body weight of the animals. A significant decrease (P&lt;0.05) was also observed in the testis of rats in groups C2 while a significant increase (P&lt;0.05) was observed in the right epididymis of rats in group B2 and C1 and left epididymis of rats in group B2. Histological findings revealed distortion of the sequential arrangement of spermatogenic cells in the seminiferous tubule epithelium, absence of spermatozoa and immature sperm cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubule lumen. Scanty spermatozoa were observed in the epididymal lumen of rats in groups B1 and C2. Findings from this study indicated that Mucuna pruriens had an anti-fertility effect on adult male Wistar rat. Data was analyzed using SPSS/IBM statistical package version 20 and the statistical method employed was ANOVA.Key word: Mucuna pruriens, weight, testis and epididymi

BODY WEIGHT AND MORPHOMETRICS OF FRIZZLE FEATHERED AND PLYMOUTH ROCK BREEDS AND THEIR F1 AND F2 CROSBRED

The study was conducted at the Poultry Research Center (PRC) of the Faculty of Agriculture, DSUST, Ozoro, to evaluate body weight (BWT) and body morphometrics (BM) of Frizzle feathered (FF) chicken and Plymouth Rock (PR) breed and their F1 and F2 crossbred. One hundred and sixty-eight (165) sexually matured FF chickens were reared on deep litter system. It comprises of one 150 FF chicken and 15 PR cock and was bred (natural). The first cross was between FF and PR cock produced 50 % indigenous (I) and 50 % exotic (E) in first filial generation. The second cross was an inter se mating of the heterozygous FF from the F1 generation. The second cross produced offspring that were 25 % I and 75 % E. The pure breed was used to bred F1 and F2 generations. The BM include: body weight (BWT), comb length (CL), Beak length (BKL), Head length (HL), Neck length (NL), Wing length (WL), Keel length (KL), Breast Girth (BG), Thigh length (THL), Shank length (SL), and Toe length (TOL). The results revealed that generation had significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on all variables. Results showed that Pure FF of F1 was higher than the parent value. It was concluded that crossbred offspring of F1 and F2 generations were observed to be superior in all the traits of BM than the purebred lines. Therefore, the mating system of crossbreeding and selection should be adopted to enhance genetic improvement strategies of the crossbred lines over many generations

Effect of the Microclimatic Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on the Productivity Performance of Rabbit

Temperature-humidity index (THI) is a useful and easy way to assess the risk to heat stress. This index combines effects of environmental temperature and relative humidity. This study was conducted to determine the temperature-humidity index and to assess its effects on breeding does’ productivity potential at the rabbit house of the University of Benin Teaching and Research Farm. Data on microclimatic factors of ambient temperature (TEMP) and relative humidity (RH) of the rabbit house were obtained on monthly bases for 1 year. The year was divided into four seasons: late dry (January to March), early rain (April to June), late rain (July to September), and early dry (October to December). Temperature-humidity index was calculated using the ambient temperature and relative humidity values obtained on monthly and seasonal bases. The estimated values for TEMP were 34.78 ± 0.17, 33.41 ± 0.22, 31.17 ± 0.22, and 33.55 ± 0.19°C for late dry, early rain, late rain, and early dry seasons, respectively (p < 0.05), and the corresponding RH values were 56.89 ± 0.17, 57.23 ± 0.16, 59.03 ± 0.25, and 57.17 ± 0.20% (p < 0.05). The highest and lowest THI values were reported in late dry (32.03 ± 0.14) and in late rain (29.03 ± 0.19) (p < 0.05), in agreement with the higher and lower thermal stress in these seasons. In relation to the productivity of does, percentage conception rate ranged from 0 to 20% in late dry vs. from 52 to 56% in late rain. In conclusion, the most favorable season was late rain with the lowest THI and the highest productivity potential parameters

Test Length and Sample Size for Item-Difficulty Parameter Estimation in Item Response Theory

The study investigated test lengths and sample sizes in the accurate and stable estimation of item-difficulty parameter in the Item Response Theory (IRT) One Parameter Logistic Model (1PLM). Real data of students that sat for the June/July 2015 Economics Multiple-Choice Examinations in Edo State was obtained from the National Examinations Council (NECO), Nigeria. The statistical population of examinees were 5,158 and the test length 60. Sample sizes of 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 were randomly drawn from the population with replacement; these samples were each paired with test lengths of 10, 20, 30 and 50.all amounting to 20 statistical conditions (5 sample sizes× 4 test lengths)The parameter estimates were generated using the eirt - Item Response Theory Assistant for Excel. The generated item-difficulty parameter using the entire population was assumed to be the true parameter value against which others were compared, using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) as an evaluative criteria. The acceptable RMSE was ≤ 0.33. Conclusion reached was that for an accurate item-difficulty parameter estimate in the 1PLM at least a test length of 10 and sample size of 1000 is required. Key words: Test-Length, Sample-Size, IRT, Difficulty-Parameter, Logistic Model. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-30-08 Publication date:October 31st 201

Livestock-Environment Interaction: Issues and options in Nigeria

The demand, production and consumption of livestock products are growing faster than the increase in world population. This development has led to pollution problem caused by the increasing amount of animal waste. The complaints and health threats of animal waste pollution to our environment is on the increase. In some cases, the damage has been spectacular and even tragic. In Nigeria, there is absence of true figures of waste produced but the environmental consequences and hazards are enormous and obvious. It is now glaring therefore that haphazard livestock management is synonymous with hazardous environment and hazardous economy and society. An objective, consistent and continuous maintained environment-livestock management is the only answer to our problem of environmental protection for us today and our children tomorrow