Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Ogun state, Nigeria

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle faeces in Ogun state, Nigeria was determined by a commercially produced enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Out of a total of 200 samples, 37.5% were positive for Cryptosporidium coproantigens. The highest rate of infection (78.1%) was observed in calves up to 3 months of age while adult cattle over 4 years of age had the lowest rate of infection (25.0%). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the infection rates of the different age groups of cattle sampled. There was however no significant difference (p>0.05) between the infection rates in males (41.2%) and females (33.6%). Furthermore, the infection rate in diarrhoeic cattle (43.2%) was not significantly higher (p>0.05) than in non-diarrhoeic cattle (32.4%). The result of the study showed that the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis is high in cattle in southwestern part of Nigeria with calves being at the highest risk.Keywords: Cattle, Cryptosporidium, ELISA,Ogun state Nigeria

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium species coproantigens on a University teaching farm in Nigeria

This study was carried out to assess the potential of animals, used for teaching and research, as a source of Cryptosporidium infection for students and staff of a University in Nigeria. Faecal samples from 185 animals reared on the teaching and research farm were collected and examined for Cryptosporidium spp. antigens by the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From all the samples evaluated, 35.7% (66/185) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. antigens with an infection rate of 30.6% (15/49), 40.7% (22/54), 43.9% (18/41) and 26.8% (11/41) for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs respectively. The rate of infection was significantly higher (p<0.05) in pre-weaned animals (63.6%) than in the post-weaned (23.6%) and adult (29.1%) animals. The infection rates, 54.8% and 42.3%, for diarrhoeic and female animals were significantly higher (p<0.05) than in non-diarrhoeic and male animals respectively. The presence of coproantigens of Cryptosporidium spp. observed in stool samples of ruminants and pigs suggests that these animals may be considered as a potential reservoir of this protozoa, that is able to contaminate the environment, infect other domestic and wild animals and in some cases humans.Keywords: Cryptosporidium, ELISA, Nigeria, Pigs, Ruminant

Prevalence of strongylids of pigs in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of strongyles infecting pigs in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Faecal samples were collected from 209 pigs which wereinitially screened by centrifugal sedimentation technique. Faeces positive nematode eggs were then cultured using a modified Baermann's technique. Out of the 36.8% (77/209) infected pigs, 84.4%, 58.4%, 57.1%, 19.5% and 6.5% were for Hyostrongylus rubidus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi and Dictyocaulus viviparus respectively. Mixed infection with various nematode species accounted for 94.8% of the prevalence. The infection rate in piglets (43.7%) was higher than in weaners and adults without any significant differences. Similarly no significant differences were observed between diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic pigs. The results of this study thus showed the economic importance of strongylid nematode infections in intensively reared pigs in Ogun state. Regular screening to ascertain worm load and species involved will facilitate appropriate control and prevention strategies.Keywords: Coproculture, Nigeria, Pigs, Strongyle

Effects of Lippia multiflora leaf extract on the semen of Wistar rat

To investigate the effect of Lippia multiflora (Verbanaceae) on the reproductive activity of male Wistar rats, three groups (A,B and C) of rats were treated with 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg/day of Lippia multiflora leaves extract respectively for 28 days while 5ml/kg of distilled water was given to the control group D. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and sperm characteristics, histology of the testes and epididymis were assessed. Lippia multiflora leaf extract caused a significant reduction (P<0.05) in sperm motility, a statistically significant dose dependent reduction in the sperm count and a significant (P<0.05) dose dependent increase in morphological abnormalities of the spermatozoa of the treated rats. Histopathological evaluation of the testis and epididymis revealed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis of the germinal epithelia cell of the seminiferous tubules, spermiostasis and complete epididymal aspermia. Lippia multiflora leaf extract has significant anti-spermatogenic effects on adult male Wistar rats which could impair reproductive activities in these rats.Keywords: extract, Lippia multiflora, rats, sperm

Evaluation of the toxic effect of aqueous extract of the bark of Morinda morindoides root in male Wistar rats

The toxic effect of the aqueous extract of the bark of the root of Morinda morindoides was studied in 24 sexually matured, male Wistar rats weighing between 150-200g. The rats were randomly divided into four groups (I-IV). Rats in groups I, II and III received 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and I,600 mg/kg of 50mg/ml of the aqueous extract respectively once daily for 28 days while the control group (Group IV) was given distilled water (5ml/kg) once daily for 28 days after which the rats were euthanized. Following euthanasia, about 3 ml of blood was collected and was divided into 1.5ml each for haematology and serum chemistry. In addition, samples of the kidney, liver, heart, lungs and spleen were also harvested for histopathology. Haematological and serum biochemical values were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean and were analyzed using One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. Lesions observed in histopathology were scored as mild, moderate or severe. Results were considered statistically significant at 95% confidence interval (P<0.05). In this study, there was no significant difference in the haematological parameters, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase between the treated groups and the control. Histopathologically, the extract caused mild, diffuse degeneration of the liver, mild tubular nephrosis; mononuclear cellular infiltration in the heart and mild hypoplasia of the lymphoid nodules in the spleen of rats to which 1,600 mg/kg of the extract was administered. It was therefore concluded that aqueous extract of the root of Morinda morindoides may produce subchronic toxicity at the dosage of 1600mg/kg.Keywords: Toxicity, Haematology, Serum, Biochemistry, Histopathology, Morinda morindoides