Aspects of reproductive biology of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis (Gunther) in Zaria Dam, Nigeria

Studies were conducted on some aspects of the reproductive biology of Hyperopisus bebe occidentalis in Zaria dam. Fish were captured by using nets of various mesh sizes for 24 months. Sex ratio of female to male was 1:1.08. Fully matured gonads were observed from July to October (rainy season). Fish with spent gonads were found from December to February, virgin or immature gonads (stage I and II) were found in February to May, with the peak in March in female fish and January in male. The estimated fecundity ranged from 2025 to 4192 eggs per female with mean of 2822.4 ~c SD 781.43 eggs that had standard length range of 24.20cm to 35.50cm. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) ranged from 1.63% to 3.31%. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.873, p>0.05) between the weight of the fish and fecundity and insignificant correlation (r=0.497, p<0.05) between the standard length and fecundity

Patency and Clinico-Haematological Pathologies Sequel to Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma evansi Induced Infections in Yankasa Sheep I

Trypanosomosis remains one of the most deadly protozoan diseases that pose a significant impact on livestock health in the tropics. Sixteen (16) rams aged between 24 to 30 months and weighed between 22-25kg were acclimatized under standard animal housing&nbsp; conditions. Twelve (12) of the sheep deemed fit and healthy were randomly divided into four groups (I, II, III, and IV) of three sheep each. Each sheep in groups I and II was inoculated intravenously with 2 mL containing 2 X 106 trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma evansi, respectively. While group III, each sheep received 2 mL containing 2 X 106 mixed inoculums of T. brucei and T. evansi (50% each by volume of the infective inoculums). Sheep in group IV served as the non-infected control. Post-infection animals were monitored for 14 weeks for parasitaemia, clinical signs, and haematological pathologies. The patent infection became evident in groups I, II, and III between 5-21 days post-infection with average patency of 7, 20, and 8.5 days respectively. The infection was characterized by intermittent pyrexia with a significant decrease (p&lt; 0.001) in mean weekly packed cell volume (PCV),&nbsp; haemoglobin concentration (Hb), live weight gain, plasma protein, which significantly decreased (p&lt; 0.001) in all the infected groups. Pearson’s correlation (r) indicates a strong positive correlation (r= 0.991) between parasitaemia and pyrexia, and principal component analysis (PCA) biplot increased the predictabilities of these two indices as the major precursors in the progression of the trypanosomes pathogenesis in sheep. Keywords: Trypanosomosis; Patency; Clinico-haematological pathologies; Trypanosoma brucei; Trypanosoma evansi; Yankasa shee

Ectoparasites and intestinal helminths of speckled pigeon (Columba guinea Hartlaub and Finsch 1870) in Zaria, Nigeria.

A total of 30 (20 males and 10 females) Speckled Pigeons trapped from the wild in Zaria and its environs, Nigeria, were examined for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths, to determine the prevalence, intensity and mean intensity of infestation and infection. The plumages of the birds were brushed onto a white sheet of paper placed in a tray for the collection of ectoparasites, while the gastrointestinal tracts of the birds were examined for helminths. Eighteen (60.0%) of the birds were infested by three species of ectoparasites. The ectoparasites comprised of lice: 17 (56.7%) Menopon gallinae Linnaeus 1758, 18 (60.0%) Columbicola columbae Linnaeus 1758 and flies: 9 (30.0%) Pseudolynchia canariensis Macquart 1840. Single, double and triple infestations were found in 1(3.3%), 8(26.7%) and 9(30.0%) respectively, though the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The sex-specific infestation rate was 12(60.0%) in males and 6(60.0%) in females. Seventeen (56.7%) birds were infected by helminths represented by four species of cestodes recovered from the gastrointestinal tract. The cestodes were represented by Raillietina tetragona Molin, 1858 1(3.3%), Raillietina cesticillus Molin, 1858 8(26.7%), Amoebotaenia cuneata Linstow, 1872 4(13.3%) and Hymenolepis carioca Magalhaes, 1898 4(13.3%). Single infection was the only infection type observed. The sex-specific rate of infection was 11(55.0%) in males and 6(60.0%) in females. This study portrays the Speckled Pigeons as a probable definitive host of some ectoparasites and helminths. Keywords: Ectoparasites, Gastrointestinal helminths, Prevalence, Speckled Pigeon, Columba guinea, Zaria, Nigeri

Microbiota of gills and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolates from Clarias gariepinus in different holding facilities

Gill is a key respiratory and excretory organ in fish as it provides oxygen need for survival and excretes waste products. However, gills can be infected with pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria leading to increasing fish morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to isolate, estimate and identify bacteria on the gills of Clarias gariepinus reared in different holding facilities. The susceptibility patterns of the bacteria were also studied using 10 antibiotics commonly used in pisciculture in Nigeria. A total of 84 bacteria belonging to 12 genera were isolated from the gills of 75 Clarias gariepinus. Gram-negative bacteria isolated included Salmonella species (3.6%), Pseudomonas species (7.1%), Aeromonas species (2.4%), Escherichia coli (13.1%), Proteus species (11.9%) Klebsiella species (3.6%), Citrobacter species (4.8%), and Shigella species (3.6%). Gram-positive Corynebacterium species (3.6 %), Staphylococcus species (20.3%), Bacillus species (19.0%) and Streptococcus species (7.1%) were also isolated. The result showed varying bacteria species when considering the different holding facilities. Greater than 50 % of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated were resistant to 5 and 6 different antibiotics respectively while greater than 80 % of all the bacteria were resistant to ≥ 3 antibiotics. The presence of these bacteria in fish predict subsequent impediment in pisciculture and may lead to socioeconomic losses, environmental contaminations and high public health risk. This study calls for concern and an urgent intervention on antibiotic stewardship among fish farmers. Keywords: Antibiotics resistance, Clarias gariepinus, Fish farms, Gills microbiota, Kaduna stat

Sex ratio, gonadal development and fecundity of the grunt, Pomadasys jubelini (Cuvier, 1830) in the new Calabar-Bonny River, Nigeria

The sex ratio, gonadosomatic index, stages of gonadal development and fecundity of the grunt, Pomadasys jubelini in the New Calabar-Bonny River were investigated. P. jubelini had a sex ratio of 1: 2.1 (male to female). Gonadosomatic index ranged from 0.33 to 7.29% with a mean of 2.89+0.08%. High gonadosomatic indices were recorded from September to October, which indicates the production period of the fish. Two stages; maturing and mature were observed for male fish while quiescent, maturing and mature were observed for female fish. Fecundity ranged from 9,085 to 37,926 eggs and a mean of 25,852+432 eggs. This is an indication that P. jubelini has low fecundity. Fecundity-body weight and fecundity-body length were positively correlated. Fecundity-weight relationship was Log F=0.1243+2.74 Log W (r=0.950). Fecundity-length relationship was Log F=0.0247 + Log 1.779 log L=(r=0.114), Fecundity was more related to weight than length. P. jubelini begins spawning during the rainy season in marine and estuarine environments. During this period large number of fingerlings and juveniles are in abundance. The results of this study will assist in increasing the knowledge of the reproductive biology of P. jubelini which is relevant in aquaculture development of the species.Keywords: Fecundity, gonadal development, gonadosomatic index, New Calabar-Bonny River, Pomadasys jubelin

Clinicopathological and Microscopic Features of Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma evansi Induced Infections in Sheep II

The present study elucidates further on clinical, gross, and microscopic pathologies induced by single or mixed infections with&nbsp; Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma brucei in sheep. Briefly, the experimental animals were divided into four groups of three&nbsp; animals each. Animals in each group were either infected with T. brucei, T. evansi, mixed (T. brucei and T. evansi), or noninfected. Animals were observed for clinical, gross, and microscopic pathologies for 98 days (14 weeks). The clinical pathologies observed included loss of body condition, pale ocular mucus membrane, rough hair coat, scrotal oedema, scrotal degeneration, emaciation, and death. At necropsy, macroscopic or gross lesions included very pale and anaemic carcass composition, congested and pneumonic lungs with severe haemorrhages, serous atrophy of intestinal and body fats, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and hepatomegaly. Microscopic lesions observed in the testes, spleen, liver, lungs, lymphoid, heart, and brain tissues of infected sheep were varied and included swollen kidney with renal tubular degeneration, the proliferation of lymphocytes at the germinal centers of the spleen, degeneration of the bronchioles, severe testicular degeneration with a reduction in the number of spermatogenic cell layers,&nbsp; degenerated Leydig and Sertoli cells with loss of sperm reserves in the seminiferous lumen, congested liver with sinusoidal spaces and the proliferation of monocytes and lymphocytes. The results indicate that trypanosomosis due to experimental T. brucei, T. evansi, or mixed infections may be an important cause of various grades of tissue and organ pathologies in sheep in trypanosome-endemic areas. Keywords: Trypanosomosis; Clinico-pathological and microscopic features; Trypanosoma brucei; Trypanosoma evansi; Mixed&nbsp; infections; Shee

Growth performance of fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus fed fermented seed of Senna obtusifolia (Linn)

The effects of replacing soybean meal with graded levels of fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meals (SOSM) on the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus were investigated. Five isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isocaloric (25.7% NFE) diets were formulated in which fermented replaced soybean meal (SBM) at 0% (SOSM0), 25% (SOSM25), 50% (SOSM50), 75% (SOSM75) and 100% (SOSM100) inclusion levels and a commercial feed (CmF) as the second control. Three hundred and sixty (360) fingerlings of (Clarias gariepinus) mean weight (2.85±0.01g) were stocked at (20) fish per tank volume in triplicate groups per treatment and fed 3% body weight twice a day of the experimental diets for 180 days. The feeding rate was adjusted after weighing. The water qualities were within range recommended for Clarias gariepinus. There were no significant differences (p&gt; 0.05) in growth performance and nutrient utilization between the control groups and those fed the fermented SOSM diets at 25%. The commercial, 0% and 25% groups had the highest mean weight gain (279 to 280 g), significantly (P&lt;0.05) superior to the groups that received the, 50%, 75% while the group that received 100% SOSM diet had the poorest mean weight gain (132.72g). Feed conversion ratios (FCR) of all treatments ranged from (1.75 to 2.18). These values increased slightly by increasing levels of fermented SOSM from 50 to 100%. The best FCR, 1.75± 0.02, recorded for fish fed 25% fermented SOSM indicated a superior level of utilization of the SOSM diet by the fish. There was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) in the protein intake among the group of fish fed 0 and 25%, but significant difference (P&lt;0.05) occur in fish fed 50, 75 and 100% fermented SOSM respectively. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) exhibited significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in all treatments except in the control diets that were not statistically different (P&gt;0.05) from the fish fed the 25% fermented SOSM. The PER values increased among the experimental fish with respect to the quantity of total feed intake. There were no significant differences (P&gt;0.05) in apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) among treatments CmF, 0% and 25%. The ANPU was highest in fish fed 0% fermented SOSM (91.6±0.04) while fish fed 75 and 100 % fermented SOSM in diets were 71.4±0.02 and 73.4±0.03 were the least. There was a significant (P&lt;0.05) difference in the effect of the inclusion levels of fermented (SOSM) on final body carcass composition among treatments. This study showed that soybean meal can be substituted with fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal up to 25% level in Clarias gariepinus diets without any negative effects on the growth and feed efficiency.Keywords: Growth; fermented Senna obtusifolia (Linn); Clarias gariepinus fingerling

Haematology of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed different dietary levels of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal

This study evaluated the haematological parameters of Heterobranchus longifilis fingerlings fed different dietary levels of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal. Five hundred (500) H. longifilis fingerlings of mean weight 6.56g ± 0.47 were randomly distributed into treatment tanks and fed twice a day at 3% body weight for 36 weeks. Experimental diets were compounded with each diet containing 10% (SW10), 20% (SW20), 30% (SW30) and 40% (SW40) inclusion of L. leucocephala leaf meal whereas fishmeal based diet (SWC) and commercial diet (SWCF) served as control. The determination of haematological parameters followed standard procedures. Results obtained showed that SWC and SWCF were significantly high (P&lt;0.05) for packed cell volume (PCV) while SW30 and SW40 were significantly (P&lt;0.05) the least in terms of red blood cell (RBC). The Haemoglobin (HB) concentration for SWC, SWCF and SW20 was higher than the rest of the treatments. White blood cell (WBC) count was significantly higher (P&lt;0.05) for SW30 and SW40. MCH, MCV and MCHC values in all the treatments were not significantly different (P&gt;0.05). The haematological result revealed that fish fed diet containing 20% L. leucocephala leaf meal inclusion level did not adversely affect the blood parameters of H. longifilis fingerlings.  Key Words: Blood parameters, nutrition, leaf meal, plant protein, Leucaena leucocephala, Heterobranchus longifili

Occurrence and risk factors associated with Eimeria species infections in Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias species

Eimeria infection can cause a serious health risk to fish in the wild and especially to the fish production enterprise. Eimeria species are a group of protozoan parasites common in many fish farming systems with little information available on the occurrence, impact, and risks associated with the infection in fish populations. This study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence and risk factors associated with Eimeria species infections in three hundred and seventy-six Clarias gariepinus and Heteroclarias species from some selected fish farms in Kaduna state, Nigeria. Using direct smear techniques, oocysts were recovered from the mucous and intestinal content of the fish. Data on the risk factors were obtained by administering a well-structured questionnaire to the fish farmers. An overall prevalence of 30.3 % was obtained for the apicomplexan parasite of the genus Eimeria. The monthly prevalence of Eimeria species infection among fish was highest in October and the lowest in July. Some risk factors were significantly (p &lt;0.05) associated with fishes in the univariate model. Sex of fish, level of formal education of farmers, feeding of fish with dead poultry and fish, and the number of ponds in a fish farm were the significant risk factors in the multivariate model. This finding indicates that Eimeria species infection is endemic and of great concern among the fish population, thereby posing significant health problems. There is a need for improved fish management practices and biosecurity protocols