EVALUATION OF SELECTED LEAVES OF TREES AND FOLIAGE OF SHRUBS AS FODDER IN RUMINANT PRODUCTION

The potentials of selected leaves of trees and foliage of shrubs as fodder in ruminant production systemwere evaluated using chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility as indices. Theselected trees were Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Leucaena leucocephala, Moringa oleifera, Gliricidiasepium, Pterocarpus santalinoides, and Millettia grifoniana, and shrubs were Stylosanthes scabra,Tephrosia bracteolata and Lablab purpureus. The results showed that the chemical compositions ofleaves of trees and foliage of shrubs varied significantly (p<0.05) among species. The crude protein(CP) content of the tree leaves ranged from 15.20 to 25.43% for Pterocarpus santalinoides and Moringaoleifera leaves, respectively, while CP in foliage of shrubs ranged from 21.63 and 26.67% forStylosanthes scabra, and Lablab purpureus, respectively. The in vitro dry matter digestibilities of theseleaves also varied significantly (p<0.05) with the selected trees ranging from 40.80 to 74.75% for Millettiagrifoniana and Gliricidia sepium, respectively while shrubs ranged from 50.35 to 61.24% for Stylosanthesscabra, and Lablab purpureus, respectively. Results indicated that these forages are highlydigestible and their inherent nutrients are higher than the range recommended for maintenance inruminant production. These fodders can be fed as supplements to low protein forage and can alleviatefeed shortages experienced for ruminants in dry season

EFFECTS OF FEED RESTRICTION AND REALIMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE AND NITROGEN UTILISATION IN GROWING WEST AFRICAN DWARF RAMS

The effects of feed restriction on the performance of growing West African Dwarf sheep were determined in twenty four (24) growing West African dwarf (WAD) rams with average weight of 8.9 ± 0.59kg. The twenty-four WAD rams were allotted to three treatments of eight rams per treatment and balanced for weight in a Completely Randomized Design. Animals in group C which represents the control were fed with dried Panicum maximum ad libitum and concentrate supplement while group two (R1) and group three (R2) were fed with P. maximum without concentrate supplementation for one and two months, respectively. Thereafter, two months of realimentation followed the restriction. Data were taken on the feed intake, weight gain and digestibility. Results obtained on average daily gain showed significant difference (P < 0.05) whereby sheep on R2 group recorded the lowest value (50.7g/day) during restriction. Digestible organic matter intake (g/Kg 0.75 d-1) for sheep on the C group was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than R1 group, but not significantly (P > 0.05) different from R2 group. The Crude protein intake was highest in the control (49.9g/day). Rumen amino acid of the control animals (4.1) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than R1 (2.1) and R2 (3.5) groups. Nitrogen intake (g/day) was significant and higher in the C group (8.0) compared to the two restricted groups R1 and R2. During realimentation period, average daily weight gain (g/day) was highest (P < 0.05) for animals in the control (57.5) and least in R2 (34.5). The feed conversion ratio ranged from 8.3 (C) to 14.3 (R2) while the total weight gain (kg) ranged from 2.1 (R2) to 3.5 (C). Similarly, the CP intake (g/day) was higher in the control group compared to those in R1 and R2 groups. However, the dietary amino acid recorded in R2 differ significantly (P < 0.05) from R1 and C groups. During the realimentation period, nitrogen intake for rams in R1 (8.8g/day) and R2 (10.1g/day) groups doubled the values obtained during the restriction period. It was concluded that rams should be restricted for one month because they gained more weight than those restricted for two months.Â

Newbouldia laevis leaves extract: Nutritive value, Phytochemical constituent and effect on growth performance and faecal egg count reduction in West African Dwarf rams raised semi intensively

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Newbouldia laevis leaf extract on growth performance and faecal egg count of West African Dwarf sheep. A total of twenty four growing West African Dwarf rams between 12-15 months old and of balanced weight were used for the experiment. The rams were allotted to three treatment groups containing 8 animals per group, each group were drenched with Newbouldia laevis leaves extract at the rate of 0, 30, and 60 mgkg-1 of their body weight (BW) for three consecutive days in a week for 14 weeks. Data were collected on weekly performance and faecal egg count of experimental rams. The Newbouldia laevis leaves extract contained 55% moisture, 5.68% crude protein, 5.61% crude fat, 10.54% crude fibre, 2.15% total ash, 21.02% NFE and 20.22% NDF. It also had 0.00015 %, 0.00229 %, 39.2 %, 2.5 %, 0.00296 %, 2.92 %, 0.00286%, 0.00163%, 0.624%, 0.00044% and 0.00001 % of flavonoid, terpenoid, tannin, alkaloid, phytic acid, trypsin inhibitor, phenol, antioxidants, carotenoid, oxalate and cyanide, respectively. Animals drenched at 60 mg kg -1body weight (BW) had the highest growth performance curve followed by those drenched at 30 mg kg -1 BW with animals on 0 mg kg -1 BW being the lowest. Irrespective of the level of drenching of the extract, the faecal egg count did not follow a particular trend. Hence, Newboudia laevis leaf extract had no effect on the faecal egg count of the WAD sheep raised semi intensively but have the capability of improving the growth rate of sheep.Keywords: Newbouldia laevis, Performance characteristics and faecal egg count

Gastrointestinal duplications in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Gastrointestinal duplications are rare congenital malformations that commonly present within the first year of life. When they present in older age groups, diagnosis is often difficult. This difficulty derives from the lack of specific clinical features attributable to these lesions. Objectives: To document the challenges posed to surgeons by gastrointestinal duplications in different parts of the world and to report our experience in its management in Ile-lfe, Nigeria. Design: A retrospective study. It involved a study of the clinical records of all patients diagnosed to have gastrointestinal duplication in our hospital. Setting: A Paediatric and General Surgical unit, University of Ile-Ife Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Results: Five patients were diagnosed to have gastrointestinal duplications over the period of the study. The age, ranged from 28 days to 52 years. There were four males and one female. One patient presented within the first month of life. The others presented after the age of one year. There were two gastric, two ileal and one rectal duplication. All had the cystic variety of duplication. Three of the patients had excision, one had mucosal stripping and one had internal drainage of the duplication. The outcome was satisfactory in all of them. Conclusion: Duplications tend to present at a much older-age group in our environment. Early diagnosis therefore depends on a high index of suspicion and every surgeon operating in the abdomen must be familiar with the management of this condition. (East African Medical Journal: 2002 79(3): 134-136

Performance Evaluation and HaematologicalParameters of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Diet Containing Graded Level of Raw and Fermented Malted Sorghum Sprout.

Malted Sorghum Sprout (MSP) is a byproduct of sorghum malting process which has attracted great interest as an alternative feedstuff in the ruminant feeding. The study evaluated the performance characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed diets containing graded levels of raw and fermented MSP (RMSP and FMSP) incorporated into the concentrate diet at 0%, 25% and 50% respectively to formulate six experimental diets. A total of twenty four WAD goats were randomly allotted to six dietary treatments for 12 weeksusing 2×3 factorial layout in completely randomized design of four (4) buck per treatment. Data were collected on growth performance. Results showed that main effect of processing methods significantly (p<0.05) influenced the feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Significant (p<0.05) interaction effect were obtained in average daily weight gain (ADWG, g/day), metabolic weight gain (g/day W0.75), total dry matter intake (g/day) and FCR. Animals fed diet containing 50% FMSP recorded the highest ADWG (30.51g/day) and the best FCR (7.89). The MSP inclusion levels significantly (p<0.05) influenced white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes, basophil and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration across the dietary treatments. The monocytes and eosinophil counts were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by the processing methods. Animal fed FMSP based diet recorded higher monocytes (2.17%) and eosinophil (3.00%) compared to those on other diets. Interaction effect of the processing methods and MSP inclusion level significantly (p<0.05) influenced all the haematological parameters except the neutrophil and mean corpuscular haemoglobin. WBC increased significantly (p<0.05) across the dietary treatments (14.10-21.60× 03/l) and were at normal levels expected of healthy goats. The study concluded that fermented malted sorghum sprout could be used up to 50% in WAD goats' diet without any adverse effect on the performance of the animals.Keywords: Malted Sorghum Sprout, Fermentation, Performance and Haematolog

HATA, COST - 231, EGLI and ILORIN - A PERFORMANCE ASSESMENT

Information carried through the wireless medium are subject to impairments due to several events along the route of transmission, leading to path losses. For effective network planning therefore, these events and their effects on radio propagation need to be known and accounted for.  In this work, we studied the radio propagation profile, along selected routes in Ilorin, Kwara State due to transmissions from the NTA, Ilorin, the Harmony FM and the University of Ilorin FM transmitters. Each of the routes are divided into segments, as seen, in the figures. The measurements were made, using the N9432C Agilent spectrum analyzer. Analysis, of obtained data, showed that the nature of the environment, affects radio propagation. Even within the same route and all other conditions the same, the models’ relative performances vary, from one segment to the other. The performances of the models corroborate the notion that empirical models are environment-specific

EFFECT OF FEEDING UREA-MAIZE STOVER DIETS ON MINERAL BALANCE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) BUCKS

Twelve West African dwarf (WAD)bucks, with average weight of 10.50 kg were monitored during a -98 day feeding experiment to investigate the mineral balance of goats fed urea-maize stover diets during the dry season. The bucks were randomized into four dietary treatments of three animals per group balanced for body weight. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the four diets containing 0, 5, 7.5 and 10% inclusion levels of urea and 60% maize stovers. Feed, faecal, urinary and blood samples were collected and analysed. Data were analyzed using oneway analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. Results showed that mineral intake by bucks decreased (P<0.05) with increase in dietary urea. The highest value of mineral retention was recorded for goats on the control diet. The inadequacy of some minerals in experimental diets may require supplementation when urea-maize stover diet is fed

Effects of Molasses and Storage Period on the Chemical, Microbial and Fermentation Characteristics of Guinea Grass - Cassava Leaves Silage

The study was conducted to determine the effects of molasses and storage periods on the chemical composition, microbial and fermentation characteristics of silage produced from guinea grass and cassava leaves mixture. Guinea grass was harvested at 2 months regrowth from an established pasture and cassava tops collected immediately after root harvest consisting of only the tops with the green stem and its leaf canopy. The forages were wilted and thoroughly mixed in the ratio of 70:30 (guinea grass: cassava leaves); mixed with molasses at the rate of 0, 2, 4 and 6 % and ensiled for 30 and 60 days respectively for fermentation. The DM, CP, NDF, HCN and tannin contents of the ensiled guinea grass and cassava leaves significantly reduced as the level of molasses addition and storage period increased. The acetic acid fermentation was high in the 0, 2, 4 and 6% molasses addition with values ranging from 40.2 to 42.4 g/kg DM while the lactic acid content was only 18.4 to 30.3 g/kg DM at the 0% molasses addition. However, lactic acid fermentation increased significantly as both the storage periods and molasses addition increased from 0 to 60 days. The highest bacterial count (8.4 log cfu/g) was recorded at the 0% molasses addition and this significantly reduced as molasses addition increased from 0 to 6% and as the ensiling periods elongate from 0 to 60 days. However, a sharp decline in fungi count was observed with increase in the percentage of molasses added. The bacteria isolated from the silage were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus spp., Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus buchneri. It is concluded that ensiling mixture of guinea grass and cassava leaves with molasses increased lactic acid and suppressed the production of acetic and butyric acids with drastic reduction in microbial load.Keywords: Guinea grass, cassava, storage period, molasses, fermentation, chemical compositio

PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMICAL INDICES OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF BUCKS FED ELEPHANT GRASS (Pennisetum purpureum) SUPPLEMENTED WITH UREA-MAIZE STOVER DIETS

Twelve (12) West African dwarf (WAD) bucks, averaging 10.50 kg in weight were monitored during a-98 day feeding experiment to investigate the performance (feed intake, change in body weight and linear body parameters) and haematology and serum biochemistry when fed Elephant grass supplemented with Urea COAST JOURNAL OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCEMaize stover (UMS) diets during the dry season. The bucks were randomized into four diet treatments three bucks per treatment balanced for body weight. Each group was assigned randomly to one of the four diet treatments containing Elephant grass + UMS at 0, 3, 4.5 and 6% levels of urea inclusion. Feed intake and weight changes were monitored while blood samples were collected and analysed. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyse the data, in a completely randomized design. Results indicated that the voluntary Dry Matter Intake (DMI) by bucks decreased (P0.05) for bucks on control diet compared to others. Hematological and serum biochemical parameters of goats fed experimental diets showed no significant (p>0.05) difference across treatments except in serum total protein, blood urea and sodium, where dietary treatments had signicant (P<0.05) inuence