Microbial Contaminants in Fresh and Extended Turkey Semen and their Sensitivity to Antibiotics

Microorganisms that inhabit the avian cloaca usually contaminate poultry semen which could easily spread throughout an entire flock. This study was conducted to determine the presence of microbial contaminants in turkey semen and evaluate their antibiotic sensitivity. Semen was collected from each tom, pooled and then divided into two aliquots A and B. Aliquot A was immediately  evaluated for microbial contaminants and antibiotic sensitivity while aliquot B, was extended and preserved for 24 hours at 40 C and thereafter microbial culture, identification and antibiotic sensitivity were conducted. Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacteria species and a fungal organism Candida albican were isolated and identified in both aliquots. All the identified organisms were sensitive to pefloxacin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, while Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis and Corynebacteria species were resistant to Ampicillin-cloxacillin, cefuroxime, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. Escherichia coli was only resistant to co-trimoxazole, ofloxacin and nalidixic acid. The study concludes that, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus foecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Corynebacteria species and Candida albican were found to be turkey semen contaminants and were resistant to penicillin and streptomycin combination in turkey semen extender but sensitive to pefloxacin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. Key words: Microbial contaminants, turkey semen, extender, antibiotic sensitivit

Pelvic and Testicular Biometry of Sahel Goats in Maiduguri, Nigeria

This study was carried out to document the pelvic and testicular biometric characteristics of Sahel goats. Record of body weight, body condition score, height at withers, scrotal length, scrotal circumference and external pelvic circumference were obtained from 400 male and 600 female Sahel goats. All the goats were approximately 1.5 years old and weighing 14 to 18 kg, with body condition score of 3 or 4 (scale of 1-5). The mean bodyweight of Sahel bucks was 15.12 ± 1.10 kg while that of Sahel does was 13.22 ± 1.12 kg, height at withers in bucks and does were 52.22 ± 1.20 cm, and 48.13 ± 1.23 cm respectively. The scrotal length and circumference in Sahel bucks were 11.39 ± 1.12 cm and 17.95 ± 1.21 cm respectively. The external pelvic circumference in Sahel does was 55.13 ± 1.16 cm. There was significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between the body weight and body condition score in bucks (r=0.52) and in does (r=0.42). It was observed that there was weak but positive correlation between the body weight and height at withers (r=0.34), in bucks and in does (r=0.25; P < 0.5). A low but significant positive correlation was found between the body weight and scrotal circumference r=0.28, (P < 0.05) in bucks. There was a high and significant positive correlation between the scrotal length and scrotal circumference r=0.66, (P < 0.05). The external pelvic circumference in Sahel does was also significantly positively correlated with body weight r=0.40, (P < 0.05) and with the body condition score r= 0.33, (P < 0.05). The information obtained from this study can be used for breed -specific morphometric characterization of indigenous Sahel goats. Keywords: Biometry; Pelvic circumference; Sahel goat; Testicular parameter

Management of Dystocia Due to Uterine Torsion in a Murah Buffalo Using Schafer’s Technique

Uterine torsion is considered an obstetrical emergency and should be corrected as soon as it is diagnosed. It occurs frequentlyin buffaloes as compared to other species of animals, mainly due to their peculiar anatomy and physiology. This case reportdescribes the occurrence of uterine torsion in a pregnant pluriparous buffalo. The buffalo was presented with history of persistentstraining for over 6 hours. The cervix was fully dilated and obstetrical examination revealed dystocia due to a left sided uterinetorsion. Hematological results revealed a normal PCV but with an accompanying macrocytosis. There was also neutrophilia,eosinophilia as well as lymphopenia as well as hypocalcium and hypomagnesemia. The dystocia was corrected using theSchafer’s technique. This involved the placing of the free end of a wooden plank on the left flank while the other free end,having an assistant standing on it rested on the ground. Rolling the buffalo twice with this arrangement corrected the anomaly. Keywords: Buffalo; Dystocia; Obstetrical Emergency; Reproduction; Schafer’s Technique; Uterine Torsio