EFFECT OF TRIDAXPROCUMBENS EXTRACTS ON BLOOD CLOTTING

Objective: The present work has focused on evaluating the effect of tridaxprocumbens on blood clotting.Methods: in the course of our study we have therefore carried out a Hydro ethanol extraction (50/50), Liquid-Solid extraction, and phytochemical screening. Thereafter our study was carried out on nine (09) male and female Wistar type rats aged from 10 to 12 w and weighing between 100 and 200 g. These animals were raised at the laboratory of Biomembranes Laboratory and Cell Signaling from FAST to UAC under standard environmental conditions. Animals have free access to water and food. 09 rats are experienced, divided in three batches of 3 rats each, submitted respectively to the following treatment: fed with distilled water, fed with 100 mg/kg P. C tridax extract procumbens, fed at 300 mg/kg P. C tridax extract procumbens. Evolution of the weight of rats during treatment was measured. After 7 d of treatment, the blood of the rats is taken for an experience of bleeding time, experience of coagulation time, and dosage of some blood parameters (platelet, partial thromboplastin, prothrombin).Results: Phytochemical screening carried out on the leaf and stem powder of Tridaxprocumbens revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, reducing sugar, mucilage, terpene and sterol, but at varying proportions. After 7 d of treatment, evaluation of the effect of the extractions on the body weight of the rats gave interesting conclusions. The weight of the control rats did indeed increase while that of the rats treated with the dose of (100 and 300 mg/kg) dropped. In addition, the effect of the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves and stems of Tridaxprocumbens on the coagulation of blood has been studied in order to verify the alleged property that the said extract can be used to manage bleeding. This was done by examining the effect of the extract on bleeding time, coagulation time, platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin rate. These were carried out using the Duke method and the Lee and White method. In the bleeding time experiment, the mean time without adding the extract was 2.58±0.31 min, while the mean bleeding time after treatment with the extract was 1.61±0.70 min at a dose of 100 mg/kg PC and 1.77±0.69 min at a dose of 300 mg/kg PC, achieving 57% of the decrease in normal bleeding time. Thus the extract significantly lowers the bleeding time.When the extract was used for the coagulation time, it was found that the extract promotes blood clotting. In addition, this study reveals that Tridaxprocumbens significantly influences TCA, TP and platelet count at varying doses.Conclusion: The plant material studied in this study is, therefore, a credible alternative for an effective fight against bleeding and also promotes the coagulation of blood

Use of chips and cassava leaves in finishing guinea (Numida meleagris, L): animal performance, costs of production, Aspect of the carcass and meat quality

peer reviewedThe effect of feed containing cassava leafs and peels was assessed on 126 local guinea fowls animal performance, production costs and meat quality over a period of 28 weeks in humid tropical climate of the South Benin. After 12 weeks of classical feeding, animals were randomly allotted in three groups of 42 for the finishing period: the group 1 received a control diet while, in group 2, 8% and 35 % of cassava leafs and cossets were respectively incorporated, vs. 6 % and 25 % in group 3. At the end of the trial, eighteen guinea fowls per group were slaughtered in order to determine characteristics of the carcass and meat quality. Individual daily feed intake was higher in the control group than in the groups 2 and 3. Animals from control group shown higher growth rate (5.0 g/d) (P<0.05) than in groups 2 and 3. Consequently, feed conversion ratios were similar in the three groups with values of 7.5, 6.7 and 6.9, in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At the end of the trial, animals in control group were heavier than those in groups 2 and 3 (P<0.05). No negative influence of cassava cossets and leaf meals was observed on carcass quality in the experimental diets. Feed costs per kg live weight were reduced by 24.6 and 21.0% in groups 2 and 3, respectively, when compared to control group. Guinea fowl production appears thus more profitable with feed containing cassava leaves and cossets. Consequently, these ingredients could be alternative sources of energy and protein, with emphasis during the finishing period

Phenotypic cha- racterization of pig genetic resources in the departments of Oueme and Plateau in Benin

L’élevage porcin est très pratiqué au Sud-Bénin et implique une diversité de races ou de populations. L’objectif de l’étude était de caractériser les différents porcs sur le plan morphométrique et phénotypique. Ainsi, les données phéno- typiques ont été collectées sur 149 porcs, dont 14 améliorés, 91 croisés et 44 locaux. Les porcs de type génétique local ont présenté des mesures morpho- logiques significativement inférieures (p < 0,05) à celles des porcs améliorés et des animaux issus des croisements entre les porcs améliorés et les porcs locaux. Les poils des porcs locaux étaient significativement plus courts (p < 0,05) que ceux des porcs améliorés et des croisés. La couleur de la robe a varié d’un type génétique à l’autre. La couleur la plus rencontrée a été le blanc uniforme, suivi du noir uniforme chez tous les types génétiques. Le profil de la tête était plus rectiligne chez les porcs locaux, et plus concave chez les porcs améliorés et chez les croisés. Les oreilles dressées étaient moins observées chez les croisés. Elles étaient orientées vers l’avant chez les porcs améliorés et chez les croisés alors qu’elles étaient dressées et orientées vers l’arrière chez les porcs locaux. La queue en tire-bouchon a été significativement (p < 0,05) plus présente chez les porcs améliorés que chez les porcs croisés, et elle a été plus présente chez ces derniers que chez les porcs locaux. La ligne dorsale droite a été davantage observée chez les porcs locaux et chez les croisés que chez les porcs amélio- rés chez lesquels la ligne était plus creuse. Les porcs croisés ont présenté une grande similarité avec les porcs améliorés

Diet supplement effect based on cottonseed meal and Vitellaria paradoxa leaves on Borgou cows performance in rainy season

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of supplementing lactating cows with cottonseed meal and Vitellaria paradoxa leaves in the rainy season on milk yield and content, cows daily weight gain and profitability. The experimental design was 3 × 3 Latin square with 5 repetitions. Fifteen Borgou cows were offered three diets: grazing on natural pasture, grazing on pasture plus 1.5 kg of cottonseed meal supplement and grazing on natural pasture plus 500 g of Vitellaria paradoxa leaves. Daily milk yield was 946.58 g, 1690.07 g and 1176.89 g for the control, cottonseed meal and Vitellaria paradoxa leaves group respectively. Cows supplemented with cottonseed meal produce significantly (p < 0.05) more milk than the others. The mean values were 15.12%, 0.35%, 5.92% and 4.13% respectively for total solid, ash, fat and protein content. Vitellaria paradoxa leaves significantly (p < 0.05) increase total solid level and ash as well as ash with cottonseed meal. Furthermore, calves daily weight gain (DWG) was significantly different. A net return analysis shows that cottonseed meal and Vitellaria paradoxa leaves supplementation in rainy season was profitable even if Vitellaria paradoxa leaves were more beneficial

Reproductive phenology stages and their contributions to seed production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) in Sudanian savanna region of Benin, West Africa

peer reviewedFlowering pattern, reproductive stage period (flowering, peg production, pod production and seed maturation) and efficiency of each stage for mature fruit production of two Arachis pintoi ecotypes (CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744) were investigated in West Africa. Plants were sown in a randomized complete block design with four replicates per ecotype. Data collected over 3 years were analyzed with ANOVA. First flowers appeared on average 26 and 45 d after sowing for CIAT 17434 and CIAT 18744, respectively. Pegs began to extend about 8 and 18 d after anthesis; pod initiation about 22 and 40 d after anthesis and seed fully matured about 85 and 120 d after anthesis, respectively. CIAT 17434 produced (2269 flowers/plant) significantly (p≤0.05) more flower than CIAT 18744 (761 flowers/plant) during 7 months flowering. Conversely, flower efficiency for peg production was significantly (p≤0.05) higher for CIAT 18744 (8.14%) than for CIAT 17434 (4.02%). From 85 to 97% of pegs produced pods for both ecotypes. This research showed clearly that the principal constraint for effective seed production in particular ecological conditions of West Africa was the quite low efficiency of flowers for pegs production

Comparison of local Guinea fowl (Meleagris numida) production characteristics in experimental station and rural area in soudano-guinean zone of Bénin

A survey on the production characteristics of guinea fowl (Meleagris numida) was carried out in the Borgou department located in the soudano-guinean zone North-Est of Benin. Chicks and reproductive groups were kept either on station under improved management conditions or in rural environment. In rural environment, the birds were divided in two groups. The birds pertaining to the first group were treated against parasitic diseases, whereas those in the second one (control group) received no treatment. Under station conditions, the feed conversion ratio and the daily weight gain were 8.8 and 5.7 g/day respectively. Mean body weight at six months of age were 1151g and 1085g for males and females, respectively. Sexual maturity was reached at 36 weeks of age. For mature hens kept on station, laying rate and the mean egg weight were 37.2% (65% at the peak) and 41.1g respectively. Smothering, stress and pricking were the major constraints to the cloistering of guinea fowl. In rural environment, the mean hatchability rate was 70%. Mortality rate and adult body weight were not significantly different between groups. Mortality rate observed in the rural environment was 50% for both treated or untreated birds. Apart from the parasitic affections, the main causes of mortality were the rain, the predators, the cold and the fragility of chicks. The mean body weight at six months of age is higher for the birds raised under village conditions in comparison to the birds kept on station

Food resources unconventional use for poultry production in Africa: nutritional values and constraints

Numerous works are related to the use of unconventional feed resources, and particularly to Mucuna Spp., in poultry diet. This review aims at describing the context of their use, their nutritional values and the constraints related to their upgrading, before considering the effects of the various methods of treatment on the reduction of the toxic substances that they could contain and on their chemical compositions. The methods of treatment are very variable and their standardisation should allow using them in rural area. Those feed could thus constitute an alternative to costly conventional feed usually used in poultry production

Impact of row spacing and nitrogen fertilization on the yield and quality of Brachiaria ruziziensis seeds in humid subtropical climates

peer reviewedL'expérimentation conduite au nord du Bénin a comparé (pendant 3 ans) 3 écartements entre les lignes (20, 40 et 80 cm) de Brachiaria ruziziensis et 4 niveaux de fertilisation azotée (0, 50, 100 et 200 unités N/ha). Le rendement en semences varie de 26 à 114 kg/ha, la fertilité des diaspores de 45 à 93 %. Au vu des résultats, l’installation des plants à un écartement de 40 cm est recommandée. L’influence de la fertilisation sur le rendement et la qualité des semences est variable suivant l'année de mesure : un apport de 50 kg N/ha les 2 premières années de culture (et de 100 kg en troisième année) donne les meilleurs résultats pour la production semencière. Une récolte de fourrage de qualité médiocre est envisageable après celle des semences mais en veillant à fertiliser correctement la culture.Influence of row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer on Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain and Evrard) Crins seed production and quality in a tropical subhumid climate Row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer had influenced in various way seed yield and quality. A 3-year experiment was conducted on ferruginous soils of subhumid zone of West Africa to evaluate the influence of 3 row spacings (20, 40 and 80 cm) and 4 nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg Nha-1) on Brachiaria ruziziensis (Germain and Evrard) Crins (commun type) seed production, quality and dry matter production. Rainfall recorded during experiment was between 1050 and 1210 mm/year. Plots were allocated in a completely randomised block design with 4 replications per treatment. The results show that seed yield, seed fertility, diaspore and caryopsis weight varied between 26 and 114 kgha-1, 45 and 93 %, 327 and 601 mg and 219 and 475 mg, respectively. Effects of row spacing and N levels were variable through years. During the first experiment year, 20 and 40 cm row width produced significantly (p F200 > F0 (p F50 > F200 > F0 (p < 0.05). Row spacing had no influence on seed fertility and seed germination. N fertilizer had significantly influenced seed fertility, diaspore weight and germination but had no effect on caryopsis weight or germination rate. It can be concluded that spacing row of 40 cm would be recommended. N fertilizer input at the rate of 50 kgha-1 is necessary during the establishment year. In the second and third years, 50 and 100 kg of Nha-1 should be applied, respectively, for optimum seed yield and quality

Guinea fowl rearing constraints and flock composition under traditional management in Borgou Department, Benin

peer reviewedA survey was conducted in Borgou department (northern Benin) to characterize Guinea fowl production systems in rural areas. A questionnaire was administered to 70 Guinea fowl keepers in order to collect information about Guinea fowl management and husbandry practices in the region. This activity was practised according to traditional management in Benin where free range is the most common system of rearing. Birds scavenged during the day while at night, keets and surrogate hens were housed in poor, cramped coops whereas adult Guinea fowls roosted on trees. No rational feeding system was practised. Guinea fowls gleaned grass seeds, vegetable leaves, insects, worms, bones and eggshells. Poultry received a supplement consisting of cereals and their by-products, e.g. sorghum (30.4%), maize (25.0%), rice (14.3%), maize bran (7.1%), kitchen waste (5.4%), sorghum bran (3.6%), millet (1.8%) and complete food (1.8%). Adult body weight was 1121.3±100.2g at 6 months and maximum growth rate of 10.2g/day was reached at four months. Point-of-lay was between 7 and 9 months. Local hens were used to incubate Guinea fowl eggs, and hatchability was 72.9%. The survey revealed that Guinea fowl productivity is low because of high keet mortality. Average keet mortality registered from 0 to 6 months was 48% (range 3 to 100%). Moreover, 74% of interviewed farmers reported that keet mortality constituted the major constraint to Guinea fowl rearing. Others reported constraints, included keet weakness, poor quality of eggs, egg losses hidden under brush, keets predation, poor housing and infestations. The size of the keet populations varied over the year with the highest proportion in June-July while the proportion of growers increased from September to January