Effect of a velogenic newcastle disease virus on body and organ weights of vaccinated Shika brown cocks

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) produces both gross and histopathologic changes in tissues and organs of infected birds. These lesions may cause increase or decrease in organ sizes especially lymphoid organs leading to immune suppression. Therefore, the effect of a velogenic NDV on the body and organ weights of vaccinated Shika brown (SB) cocks was studied. Forty SB cocks consisting of twenty control and twenty infected cocks were slaughtered at the age of thirty-two weeks after infection with a velogenic NDV. They were weighed before being sacrificed and their internal organs (liver, spleen, thymus, heart, bursa of Fabricius, brain and adrenal glands) were removed and weighed. Sections of these organs were taken and stored in Bouin’s solution for 24 h and lat er sent for histology. The liver, spleen, thymus, heart and adrenal glands of the infected red SB cocks were heavier than those of the control red and white Shika brown cocks and infected white SB cocks. The weight of the spleen and brain of both the control and infected red and white cocks did not vary significantly (P>0.05). The infected red cocks had heavier adrenal glands, heart and liver weight than the control red and infected white cocks. The spleen and brain body weight ratio was similar for both control and infected red and white cocks. The control white cocks had the least thymus body weight ratio. The control white cocks had a higher bursa body weight ratio than the infected red and white cocks and the control red cocks. Only one infected white cock showed perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes and foci of glial cells. The increase in organ weights was seen mostly in the infected red cocks. It is recommended that chickens be routinely vaccinated against Newcastle disease to prevent atrophy of the bursa of Fabricius

Agricultural Budgetary Allocation and Economic Growth in Nigeria: Implications for Agricultural Transformation in Nigeria

This paper was designed to investigate the linkage of Agricultural budgetary allocation and economic growth in Nigeria from an econometric perspective. The results of the analysis showed that in the long run, the relationship between agricultural budgetary allocation and economic growth in Nigeria is positive but not significant and in the short run, the relationship is positive and significant only for two years lagged value of agricultural budgetary allocation. This observed relationship is not unconnected to the low budgetary allocations to agriculture over the years in Nigeria. This implies that there is the need for a significant increase in allocations to agriculture in order to ensure that the agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in the national transformation agenda of Nigeria

Impact of heat stress on follicular size, oestradiol concentration and oestrus expression in Nigerian Zebu cows

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of heat stress on follicular size, oestradiol concentrations and oestrus expression in different seasons on Zebu cows. Twelve (n=12) matured, Zebu cows were utilized for over a year. The year was divided into 3 phases. Ambient temperature, relative humidity and rectal temperature were determined using. Cows were synchronized for oestrus. Ultrasonic follicular studies were carried out daily. Blood samples were collected after administration of a second dose of PFG2α to assess serum concentration of oestradiol. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to determine the concentration of oestradiol. Oestrus activities were monitored by visual observation. Follicle diameters at 24 hr were lower (P< 0.05) in the cold, dry season (6.34± 0.68 mm) than hot dry (8.09±0.52 mm) and the rainy season (8.62±0.9 mm). At 72 hr, follicular diameters were significantly higher P<0.05 in the hot, dry season (17.01±1.41 mm) than cold dry (12.90±1.22 mm) and the rainy season (12.08±0.82 mm). Time to peak of oestradiol concentrations was shorter P<0.05 in the cold, dry season (31.50±5.41 hr), followed by a hot, dry season (35.42±4.25 hr) and then rainy season (52.25±7.08 hr). The amplitude of oestradiol was higher P<0.05 in the cold, dry season (39.13±5.27 pg/mL) than hot dry (19.50±2.52 pg/mL) and rainy seasons (17.63±1.89 pg/mL). Durations of proestrus oestradiol surges were significantly higher P<0.05 in the rainy season (40.88±7.10 hr) followed by a hot, dry season (35.50±7.71 hr) and then cold dry season (24.25±3.27 hr.). The total number of mounting activities for two hr. was higher P<0.05 in the cold, dry season (7.6±0.93/hr) followed by rainy season (6.2±1.28/hr) and then hot dry season (4.4±0.81/hr). In conclusion, the study showed that heat stress affected oestrus expression by lowering the number of mounts per hour, increasing follicular size and reducing oestradiol concentration of these cows

Optimal nutrition, a key to addressing reproductive performance in Nigerian local turkey toms

The Nigerian local turkey has the potential to augment the supply of poultry protein in the country and across the region. However, the fecundity of the breed is low due to neglect and lack of improvement. This work is therefore aimed at shedding some light in some reproductive indices of the local turkey under optimum nutrition. A group of fifteen toms and nine hens were used in this study. The males were grouped into three groups of five and placed on varying levels of protein, 12% CP, 16% CP and 20% CP for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Semen samples were collected and analysed twice weekly for thirteen weeks. Ejaculate volume, semen concentration, semen PH, gross and individual motilities, live and dead sperm and sperm morphology were investigated and recorded. Data were summarized as mean ± SEM (Standard Error of the Mean). The toms in groups 3 had significantly (P < 0.05) higher ejaculate volume 0.29 ± 0.03 mls and semen concentration7.766 ± 0.612 x109 than groups 1 and 2. The fertilizing ability, which was assessed through in vivo and in vitro sperm penetration assays revealed significantly higher number of sperm penetration holes (P < 0.05) in Groups 2 and 3, 160.97 ± 8.084 and 172.83 ± 7.647 (in vivo); 187.96 ± 8.121 and 189.16 ± 6.446 (in vitro) respectively. The local turkey toms could parallel their exotic counterpart under optimum environment, without the need for genetic hybridization and that 20% CP had more positive influence on the semen quality and fertilizing ability of indigenous Nigerian turkey toms followed by 16% CP with 12% CP exerting the least positive influence.Keywords: Artificial Insemination, Crude protein, Reproduction, Semen, Turkey tom

Technical Efficiency-Food Security Nexus in Kaduna State, Nigeria: A Case Study of Poultry Egg Farmers

This study analysed the technical efficiency of poultry egg production for sustainable food security in the study area using primary data. The data were analysed using stochastic frontier, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) food security measurement, and correlation analysis to determine the relationship between technical efficiency and food security. The result of the study revealed that the poultry egg farmers had a very low technical efficiency of 23%, which implies that the poultry egg farmers have a chance of improving their technical efficiency by 77% using their available resource efficiently. The result also revealed that few of the households (10%) were food secure while most of them (90%) were food insecure at different levels of food insecurity. The result of the study further indicated a direct relationship between technical efficiency and food security at 1% level of probability, implying that as average productivity increases, food security increases. The policy implication is that food security among the poultry egg farmers is linked with improving their farm efficiency. If food security is to be ensured among the poultry egg farmers, their farming activities must be efficient. The study recommended that the poor food security status of the poultry egg farmers be improved by addressing their low level of technical efficiency through ensuring the efficient utilization of their available resources. This calls for emphasis on extension activities to focus on training poultry egg farmers on improved production management practices

Effect of graded levels and sources of protein on scrotal circumference and semen profile of Yankasa rams

The effect of graded levels and sources of protein on scrotal circumference and semen profile in Yankasa rams were investigated in a 96 day study. Twenty Yankasa rams aged 18-24months and weighing 21-30 kg with clinically normal genitalia were divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D) of 5 rams each. All animals were fed Digitaria hay as a basal diet ad libitum and supplemented with the formulated ration at 2% of their respective live-weights. Iso caloric rations (10.50 MJ/kg DM ME) were formulated using non-conventional protein source (maize offal and dry layer litter) to contain 12.11% CP, 14.96% CP, and 17.94% CP and fed to groups A, B and C respectively. Another ration was formulated using conventional protein source (maize, wheat bran, groundnut cake, bone meal, vitamin premix and salt) to contain 12.26% CP and fed to group D (control group). Semen was collected every two weeks with the aid of a battery powered electroejaculator and then evaluated. Rams on 12.11% CP had significantly higher scrotal circumference than those on 17.11% C. and control. Significantly higher (P<0.05) semen volume was recorded for group B when compared with control group, but other groups showed no significant difference in volume of semen (P>0.05). Rams fed 14.96% CP diet had significantly higher semen concentration when compared with rams on 17.94% CP and control (P<0.01). Percentage gross motility, sperm morphology, sperm output and sperm viability were not influenced by level and source of protein (P>0.05). Thus, it is evident from this study that dry layer litter and maize offal compete favorably with conventional protein sources in improving scrotal circumference and semen concentration of Yankasa rams.Keywords: Dry layer litter, protein, rams, semen, scrotal circumference

Testicular morphometry and sperm reserves of local turkey toms fed varying levels of protein in the diet

The morphometry and sperm reserves of the testis, epididymis and vas deferens of three groups (n=5/ group) of sexually active adult local turkey toms fed isocaloric diet with varying levels (12 %, 16 %, 20 %) of protein were studied for sixteen weeks. The weights of the toms before treatment were between 3.5 – 4.5 kg, while at the end of the experiment the mean ± SD live weight were 5.29 ± 0.65, 5.39 ± 0.45 and 5.63 ± 0.49 kg for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean ± SD weights of the paired tunics, testis, epididymis and vas deferens, respectively, were 0.41 ± 0.11 g, 8.27 ± 2.37 g, 0.28 ± 0. 07 g and 0.36 ± 0.11 g (group 1): 0.43 ± 0.02 g, 8.50 ± 0.65 g, 0.33 ± 0.11 g and 0.40 ± 0.11 g (group 2) and: 0.49 ± 0.16 g, 9.83 ± 3.08 g, 0.40 ± 0.13 g and 0.50 ± 0.18 g, (group 3). The mean ± SD lengths of the testes were: 3.72 ± 0.34 cm, 4.40 ± 0.47 cm and 4.48 ± 1.14 cm; the epididymis: 3.12 ± 0.56 cm, 3.17 ± 0.67cm and 3.48 ± 0.49 cm, and the vas deferens: 17.27 ± 1.10 cm, 17.33 ± 0.93 cm and 17.49 ± 1.10 cm, for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Mostly, the parameters of the left organs were greater than those of the right. The mean ± SD weight of the testes positively correlated with that of the epididymis in all the groups (r = 0.72, 0.65 and 0.87 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively) and the vas deferens (r = 0.54, 0.72 and 0.75 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively). The gonadal sperm reserves were 0.19 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml, 0.21 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml and 0.21 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean ± SD extragonadal sperm reserves were, epididymis: 0.08 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml, 0.12 ± 0.01 x 109 cells/ml, 0.18 ± 0.00 x 109 cells/ml, and vas deferens: 2.00 ± 0.13 x 109 cells/ml, 2.82 ± 0.50 x 109 cells/ml and 3.75 ± 0.60 x 109 cells/ml for the three groups respectively. The vas deferens had about 88 %, of the extragonadal sperm reserve in group 1 and 90 % in groups 2 and 3. Sperm reserve was positively correlated to body weight and to the length of the testis. The results suggest, therefore, that morphometry and sperm reserves were better in turkey toms fed 16 % and 20 % than 12 % protein diets.Keywords: Crude protein, Fertility, Morphometry, Reproduction, Sperm reserves, Turkey to

Melatonin and garlic cytoprotective-ameliorative effects on dibutyl phthalate intoxication on sperm DNA and testicular biomakers of rabbits

The study investigated the cytoprotective and ameliorative effects of melatonin and Allium sativum (garlic) on dibutyl phthalate (DBP)-induced oxidative stress, its impact on sperm DNA integrity and testicular oxidative stress biomarkers. Forty two rabbit bucks were randomly divided into 7 groups of 6 bucks each labeled as A, B, C, D, E, F and G: The treatment were as follows: A (served as negative control, received olive oil for 16 weeks); B (served as positive control, exposed to DBP for 16 weeks, no treatment); C (given melatonin for 8 weeks, thereafter DBP for 8 weeks); D (administered garlic for 8 weeks, thereafter DBP for 8 weeks); E (exposed to DBP for 8 weeks, thereafter melatonin for 8 week); F (exposed to DBP for 8 weeks, thereafter garlic for 8 weeks); and G (exposed to DBP for 8 weeks, thereafter melatonin + garlic for 8 weeks). Ejaculated semen was collected on the last day (112th) using artificialv vagina for rabbit and pooled for each group was used for sperm DNA fragmentation index (SDFI) determination, rabbits were sacrificed and the testes harvested for determination of superoxide dismutase activity, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde concentration. Results showed a significant increase (P = 0.0018) in the mean SDFI in group B (78.20 ± 4.72), compared to other groups. A significant increase (P ≤ 0.0001) in superoxide dismutase activity, increase reduced glutathione concentration and decrease malondialdehyde concentrations in the treatment groups compared to the DBP exposed group without treatment (group B) were observed. Melatonin and garlic demonstrated cytoprotective and ameliorative effects against DBP-induced oxidative stress in rabbit bucks. Keywords: Dibutyl phthalate, Garlic, Melatonin, Sperm DNA, Testicular biomarker

Mapping of beef cattle value chain actors in selected states of North-West Zone, Nigeria

This study was aimed at mapping of the various actors of the beef cattle value chain and their functional roles. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of the respondents. A sample size of 576 value chain actors consisting of 120 beef cattle farmers, 60 beef cattle traders, 36 butchers, 60 raw beef marketers, 60 processed beef marketers and 240 consumers. The study made use of primary data which were obtained through the use of a computer-aided personal interview (CAPI) version of survey instrument rather than a paper-based questionnaire. Data were collected on production, marketing and consumption components of beef cattle value chain activities. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The results revealed that beef cattle value chain actors do not perform only one primary value chain activity but perform other value chain activities as secondary activities. This multiplicity of functions carried out by some of the beef cattle value chain actors implies that the beef cattle value chain is not a linear and straightforward chain where each actor is specialized in one activity. It can be concluded that beef cattle value chain activities involve a complex interrelationship in the activities carried out by the different actors in the physical flow of beef from farm to fork. It is therefore recommended that government should intervene in the area of linking actors in the value chain to prospective markets in order for the actors to benefit from the various activities

Anti-oxidative influence of butylated hydroxytoluene on chilled semen of Red Sokoto bucks and consequential conception rates in does

The anti-oxidative influence of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in three extenders on chilled semen of red Sokoto bucks and conception rates in does was evaluated. Twenty matured red Sokoto bucks were selected for this study. Two ejaculates were collected from each buck per week for a period of 4 weeks. Semen was collected from bucks using a battery-operated electro-ejaculator for semen analyses. Volume, colour, gross motility, concentration and percentage live spermatozoa were examined. A total of 10 ejaculates were further collected weekly from 10 selected bucks from the previous twenty good semen quality for 8 weeks. Semen was extended in tris egg-yolk (TEY), citrate egg-yolk (CEY) and tris-coconut water (TCW) extenders in test tubes, containing BHT antioxidant to obtain 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM/mL BHT. Sperm characteristics were determined at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours of storage. Twenty multiparous does divided into 3 groups (A, B and C), of 7, 7 and 6 does respectively. These does received 250 μg cloprostenol intramuscularly, twice, 11 days apart and insemination was conducted 48 hours after. Groups A, B and C were inseminated with semen stored for 72 hours containing 1.0 mM/mL of BHT extended in TEY, 1.0 mM/mL of BHT extended in CEY and 0.5 mM/mL of BHT extended in TCW respectively. Ultrasonography was used for pregnancy diagnoses 47 days after artificial insemination. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that semen of red Sokoto bucks stored in tris egg yolk + 1.0 mM/mL BHT and chilled for 72 hours had better semen quality and conception rates