Aspects of the growth and reproductive characteristics of Labeo coubie (Ruppell 1832) in Upper Benue River, Nigeria

Labio coubie is an ecologically and economically important fish of River Benue, thus the length-weight relationship, condition factor and fecundity of the fish were investigated in order to provide information essential for its sustainable management. Fish specimens were collected monthly from sampling stations at Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State between September, 2017 and February, 2019. A total of 849 specimens were collected and their standard length, body weight and fecundity measured. Regression analysis of the length-weight relationship produced positive allometric growth coefficient, the values of regression coefficient (b) in males, females and combined sexes were 4.02, 3.52 and 3.34, respectively. Condition factor obtained ranged from 2.35-3.38 (mean=2.54±0.22), 2.36-2.78 (mean=2.52±0.11) and 2.36-3.00 (mean=2.53±0.14) for males, females and combined sexes, respectively. Fish condition factor was generally not significantly different (p˃0.05) between seasons. The fecundity of L. coubie ranged between 33,331eggs and 596,250 eggs (mean 78,017±165,667eggs). The mean values of condition factor showed that L. coubie was in a good state of wellbeing in the habitat during the period of study. These results confirm the suitability of upper River Benue for survival of Labeo coubie. There is however need for a systematic closed fishing regime to be employed in order to make way for sustainable growth of L. coubie fisheries in the river

Role of Women in Fisheries and Aquaculture in Kano State, Nigeria

This review examines the participation and roles of women within the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Kano state, looking at their direct involvement in fishing and fish production as well as their indirect association with related activities (Marketing and distribution, processing, administration, management and public sectorial work, research, education and training).Women represent approximately 20% of Kano state population and 40% of the labor force. More than, 1000, people were fully engaged in fisheries activities in 2010. Studies have shown that of all the various fishing a sector, participation of women was highest in fish processing (approximately 30%) followed by inland aquaculture. Although there is limited data on women’s roles in the Kano fisheries sector as a whole, women are known to play only a very minor role in fish capture in southern part of Nigeria. This participation is usually in the form of small scale activities on lakes or as support to sea going spouses. Where women are employed in the aquaculture sector (5%), they are mainly involved in hatchery and live food units. Women also play an important role in administration, fisheries research, education and training as reflected by the numbers of female graduates employed in such fields. The marketing of fresh products for local markets was found to be predominantly carried out by men. Women are also temporarily and permanently involved in activities such as fish vaccination and the construction and manufacture of nets. Women play a key and vital role in the Fisheries value chain in Nigeria especially when we look at their involvement in the marine, artisanal and Aquaculture sub-sector of the Fisheries. The women who constitute the greater percentage of the fish mongers/ processors represent the first segment of the fish market chain; buying fresh fish directly from the fishermen; the fish is either sold fresh by the women, or processed by smoking. Keywords: Women, Aquaculture, Fisheries, Kano State, Nigeria

Preliminary assessment of black soldier fly ( Hermetia illucens ) larval meal in the diet of African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ): impact on growth, body index, and hematological parameters

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens ) larval meal (BSF) in practical diets of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus ). Four diets were formulated to contain levels of fishmeal replacement at 0, 25, 50, and 100% with BSF. A total of 360 fingerlings (2.67 ± 0.0 g/fish) were randomly distributed into 12 tanks (30‐L capacity) containing 30 fish each and fed with the respective diet to apparent satiation. After 6 weeks of feeding, growth performance and nutrient utilization indices of the groups fed 25 and 50% BSF diets were not significantly different (p  > .05) from the group fed the fishmeal‐based control diet. However, further increase in the replacement of fishmeal with BSF (100%) led to a significant (p   .05) compared with the control group. From the current study, it was clear that fishmeal could be replaced with BSF up to 50% without affecting the growth performance, nutrient utilization, survival, and welfare of C. gariepinus fingerlings

The safety of Kigelia africana on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background: Kigelia africana, belongs to the family of Bignoniaceae. It has been used commonly in folk medicine to energise and improve fertility in both males and females. Decoctions of Kigelia africana are taken as abortifacients. Therefore, there is need to scientifically substantiate and validate these claims. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effect of Kigelia africana on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methodology: Twenty female adult Sprague-Dawley rats divided into 4 groups (N=5) were used. Rats were mated on proestrus with males of proven fertility. Spermatocytes in the vaginal smear confirmed pregnancy. Kigelia africana was given at 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg bodyweight daily from the 1st to 20th day of pregnancy while control rats received distilled water. Rats were anaesthetized with ketamine on day 20 of pregnancy and a ventral laparotomy was performed. Foetuses were removed and parameters taken. The uterus was excised and assayed for antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde, an index of lipid peroxidation. Result: Significant increases were observed in crown-rump length, tail length and litter size.  Superoxide dismutase activities increased significantly while significant reductions were recorded in malondialdehyde levels. In addition, uterine weights increased in the treated groups compared with the control. Conclusion: Kigelia africana is uterothrophic and is safe with no deleterious effect on pregnancy and the foetuses in Sprague-Dawley rats. Keywords: Kigelia africana, pregnancy, malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase

Radiological and related chemical health impact assessments of uranium in pipe borne water from some waterworks in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

The common purifying technique of water for public (human) consumption in Nigeria is by chlorination which only eliminates the microbial contaminants, but the radioactive contaminants remain unaffected. There had been no serious radiological and related chemical health impact assessments of pipe borne water in the country. Water samples were collected from five waterworks across Lagos Metropolis and a single crystal NaI (Tl) detector was used to determine the activity concentration of 238U radionuclide in the water. The radiological health impact assessment determined includes annual effective dose rates and risk of incurring cancer. Using activity concentrations obtained and the relation from United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the chemical health impact such as life average daily dose (LADD) and hazard quotient (HQ) due to ingestion of 238U in water were determined and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The mean 238U activity concentrations were 15.3±4.1 Bql-1, 14.6±5.2 Bql-1, 9.7±2.0 Bql-1, 11.0±2.9 Bql-1 and 11.3±1.8 Bql-1 for Agege, Shomolu, Iju, Saka and Amuwo respectively. The least mean effective dose, 0.3±0.1 mSvy-1 was obtained in Iju while the highest, 0.5±0.2 mSvy-1 was obtained in Agege and Shomolu. The least mass concentration of 174.2±35.7μgl-1 was obtained in Iju and the highest of 274.9±73.3 μgl-1 was obtained in Agege. The highest mean cancer mortality and morbidity risks, (0.6±0.2) x10-3 and (0.9±0.2) x10-3 respectively were obtained in Agege. The activity concentrations of radionuclide in the water were low hence the morbidity and mortality risks in the study were low when compared to the world average value of 1.0x10-3. The result showed high radioactivity and chemical levels therefore caution and control should be taken to avoid any health crisis later in future.Keywords: uranium impact assessment, pipe born water, water works, Lagos metropolis, Nigeri

The effects of increasing FAME biodiesel content on combustion characteristics and HC emissions in high-EGR low temperature combustion

An experimental study was performed on a single-cylinder high-speed direct-injection diesel research engine to determine the effects of increasing biodiesel content on the combustion characteristics and HC emissions during high-EGR low temperature combustion operation. Two test points, a moderately dilute low-load condition and a high-EGR medium-load condition, were examined at a constant speed of 1500 rpm with a fixed input fuel energy content and start of injection timing. The results show the two operating conditions to have very different sensitivities to the fuel’s biodiesel content and, as a result, to demonstrate contrasting behaviour with respect to the variation of HC emissions with blend composition. For the low load, medium dilution case, ignition delay, combustion phasing and combustion duration are essentially independent of biofuel content while HC emissions are reduced with respect to the base diesel. For the high-EGR, medium load condition, ignition delay is reduced and combustion phasing advances with increasing levels of biofuel content. HC emissions increase with increasing biofuel content. Crank-angle aligned HC measurements indicate the significance of the piston/wall crevice volume as an HC source in high-EGR LTC.<p