Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Histological Features of Olfactory Bulb Layers in the African Striped Ground Squirrel (Xerus erythropus)

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The diurnal African Striped Ground Squirrel (ASGS) (Xerus erythropus), is a member of the rodent order Rodentia and family Sciuridae. Similar to most other vertebrates, the olfactory bulbs (OB) are located most rostrally in the brain and are an integral component of the brain circuitry system responsible for the sense of smell. In this work, the layers and anatomical characteristics of OB in the ASGS were examined. Six (6) adult ASGS were sourced from villages within Zaria Local Government. They were housed in standard laboratory cages and fed with corn and carrot. Water was given ad libitum. The squirrels were euthanized via the abdomen with an injection of ketamine HCL (80mg/kg BW), followed by transcardial perfusion with10% buffered formalin. Craniotomy was carried out to expose the entire brain and the OB was carefully harvested for histological evaluation. Six layers were visible in the olfactory bulb cortex, working their way inward from the outside in. The cells observed were mitral cells, peri-glomerular, granular, and tufted cells. Interestingly, the glomerular layer was observed to be a single layer cell type which is indicative of a good olfactory acuity. It was concluded that African Striped ground squirrel’s one-layered cell thick glomerular layer is indicative of good olfaction and sense of smell giving the ASGS an advantage for navigation in search for food and protection from predation.

Minerals and Trace Elements Profile of Apparently Healthy Horses in Ibadan Polo Club, Oyo State, Nigeria

S. C. Olaogun, O. O. Esan, R. A. M. Adedokun — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Roles of trace elements and minerals in the overall performance, health and wellbeing of horses cannot be underestimated vis-a-vis deleterious effects on normal functioning of living organisms posed by prolonged exposure to toxic metals. We evaluated the levels of some minerals and trace elements and compared these parameters among different breed, age and gender. Fortysix apparently healthy horses in Ibadan Polo Club, Ibadan, Nigeria were used for the study. Minerals and trace elements analyses were performed using the inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) (Varian Vista Pro®, Varian Medical Systems, Inc., California, USA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Varian 820 MS®, Varian Medical Systems, Inc., California, USA). Student’s T- test was applied to establish differences in the values of minerals and trace elements in relation to breed, gender and age. The results revealed significant differences in the levels of Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Iodine (I) and in the level of Silicon (Si), Chromium (Cr), and Iridium (Ir) in minerals and trace elements respectively with significantly higher values in Sudanese compared to Cross-bred horses. Mg, Fe, I, Cr, and Ir values were significantly higher in Mares compared to Stallion. Values of Fe, I, Si, Mo and Cr were significantly higher in young horses compared to adult horses. Conclusively, significant variations were observed in the minerals and trace elements values regarding breed, sex and age of Horses in Ibadan Polo Club, Nigeria. Provision of regular supplement of minerals lick and trace elements advised especially for Cross-bred, Stallion and adult horses in Ibadan Polo Club.

Phytochemistry, In vitro Anti-Trypanosomal Efficacy and Acute Toxicity of Allium sativum Linn. Bulb Aqueous Extract

A. A. Biu, L. B. Buratai, U. A. Maina, Y. S. Yunus, U. Aliyu, A. A. Kutigi — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Allium sativum Linn. is a bulbos perennial plant of the Family Liliaceae has been reported as having potential medicinal properties. This study was on the phytochemistry, in vitro anti-trypanosomal efficacy and acute toxicity of Allium sativum Linn bulb aqueous extract using standard procedures. Qualitative phytochemistry indicated high scores (+++) for reducing sugars, moderate scores (++) for alkaloids, steriods and carbohydrates with low scores (+) for tannins, flavonoids and saponins. The median lethal dose of the aqueous extract in albino rats was determined to be 2400 mg/kg body weight following intraperitoneal administration. The albino rats exhibited weakness, lordosis, starry hair coat, awkward posture, loss of apetite. All the albino rats died within 24 hours. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in mean parasites count (x106) on exposure in vitro to all the graded extract concentrations compared with the normal, and parasite count also decreased with time post-inoculation. Similarly, a positive correlation existed between extract concentrations and inhibition rates of the parasites post-inoculation. In conclusion, the aqueous extract of Allium sativum has in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity.

Sonographic Changes during Postpartum Uterine Involution in Sahel Goats (Capra hircus)

Y. B. Majama, M. Zakariah, K. A. Sanda, S. O. Asuku, M. M. Bukar, H. D. Kwari — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The use of ultrasonography as diagnostic tool is crucial in animal reproduction especially in pregnancy diagnosis and can be useful in the assessment of postpartum uterine involution. Uterine involution in does has been described using macroscopic and histological examination post-mortem. The present study was carried out to determine the time of uterine involution in live Sahel goats by measuring the uterine diameter using ultrasonography. A total of 35 non-pregnant does were estrus synchronized using 2 intramuscular injection cloprostenol (250μg/kg) at 11 days interval. All the does that came into estrus after the second treatment were allowed to run free with five bucks. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography and the does were monitored until
successful parturition. It was found that the diameter of the uterus decreased from 88.6-118 mm on day 1 postpartum to 80.8-88.6 mm, 55.3-80.8, 45.6-55.3, 39.0-45.6 mm and 24.0-39.0 mm diameters on days 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 postpartum respectively. In conclusion, postpartum uterine involution in Sahel does was completed by day 28 postpartum. This finding suggests that breeding of Sahel does can be considered after 28 days postpartum, particularly, in circumstances where suckling of the kids is not practicable or desired.

Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic Effects of Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Boswellia dalzielii H. in Wistar Rats

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The modulatory potentials of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii H. on diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility was investigated in rats. Antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in castor oil induced model using 25 inbreed, overnight fasted rats
divided into five groups (A-E). Intestinal motility was determined using Charcoal transit time in 25 overnight fasted rats divided equally into five groups (A-E). Graded doses of the plant extract (100,200 and 400mg/kg respectively) were given to groups B, C and D, while group A served as vehicle control (VEH) (distilled water) and group E served as Atropine control(0.1mg/kg). Antispasmodic activity of the plant extract was determined with 3cm piece of isolated rat ileum incubated in a thermostatically regulated organ bath. The set-up allows for in vitro assessment of intestinal motility with atropine and acetylcholine as standard drugs for cholinergic muscarinic receptor potentials. The ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielli H significantly (P<0.0001) and dose dependently reduced castor oil induced diarrhea and activated charcoal transit time in rats. The plant extract significantly (P<0.05) and dose dependently inhibited acetylcholine induced contractility of isolated ileac segments of rats when compared to controls. The ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii H causes delay in gastrointestinal contractions via the inhibition of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in rats.

Effect of Short-Term Road Transportation on Vital Parameters, Haematology, Enzymatic Antioxidants and Cortisol Level of Healthy Dogs (Canis Familiaris)

F. H. Olaifa, P. M. Ibiniyi, T. O. Omobowale, B. S. Okediran — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The study aims at determining the effect of short-term road transportation on vital parameters, haematology, enzymatic antioxidants and cortisol level of healthy dogs. Ten apparently healthy dogs weighing 8-12 kg, comprising of both sexes (3 females and 2 males), aged between 6 to 8 months were used as experimental animals. Measurements of the vital parameters and blood sample collection for hemato-biochemical parameters were taken before and immediately after short-term transportation. Rectal temperature (RT) value of 37.8ºC ± 0.3 recorded before transport was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the value of 39.6ºC ± 0.1 recorded after transport, similarly, the heart rate (HR) values of 80 ± 2.8 beats per minute before transport was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the value of 121 ± 8.9 beats per minute recorded after the transport. There were no significant (P > 0.05) changes in the haematological indices before and after transportation. The activity of SOD reduced significantly (P < 0.05) from 140 ± 10 U/mg to 129.8 ± 12.6 U/mg. Cortisol level increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 18.7 ± 3.7 pg/ml before transport to 23.1 ± 4.5 pg/ml. In conclusion, short-term transportation induced stress in dogs by increasing rectal temperature, heart rate and cortisol level. The dogs were also subjected to oxidative stress.

Comparative Analysis of Newcastle Disease Virus Shedding from Naturally Infected Breeds of Poultry in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Newcastle Disease (ND) has been considered as a threat to poultry industry worldwide. Despite different strategies aimed at controlling ND in Nigeria, the severe form of the disease continues to occur even in vaccinated poultry farms. The disease is
transmitted primarily through contact with infected or carrier birds. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) shedding through either cloacal or oropharyngeal route play a critical role in the spread of NDV. However, there is paucity of information on the comparative contribution of these routes to NDV shedding. In this study, a total of 256 swab samples were collected from cloacal (n = 128) and oropharyngeal (n = 128) routes from broilers, layers, village chickens, ducks and turkeys that were naturally exposed to NDV. Haemagglutination (HA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests were carried out to detect the presence of the virus. The results of NDV shedding from cloacal and oropharyngeal routes were compared. The result showed a higher prevalence (42.2%) of NDV shedding from cloacal route when compared with oropharyngeal route (26.6%). In addition, village chickens showed a higher prevalence (43.8%) of NDV shedding when compared with all other breeds sampled. Furthermore, birds at 6 weeks shed higher NDV (66.6%) than the birds of other ages. Therefore, the result of this study showed that the prevalence of NDV shedding was higher in village chickens via cloacal route. There is a need to quantify the amount of NDV shedding in both cloacal and oropharyngeal routes from these breeds of poultry so as to evaluate the viral infective dose.

Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Imported Frozen Fish Sold in Damaturu and Maiduguri Fish Markets, Nigeria

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Heavy metals bioaccumulation in fish constitute an issue of public health concerns. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in the head and muscle tissues of imported frozen fish as well as health risk to man. A total of 30 frozen fish were sampled from different fish markets in Damaturu and Maiduguri in Yobe and Borno States, Nigeria respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The highest mean concentration levels (0.60 ± 0.32 mg/kg and 0.06 ± 0.10 mg/kg) of Pb and Cd were found in the head and the lowest (0.09 ± 0.02 and 0.01 ± 0.00) in the muscle tissues respectively. The mean concentration levels of Pb (0.60 ± 0.32 mg/kg) and Cd (0.06 ± 0.10 mg/kg) in fish markets A and D exceed the maximum allowable limits of 0.50 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg respectively. Fish markets had statistically significant (p < 0.05) effect on the concentration levels of Pb among the sampled fish. The assessment of potential health risk; estimated daily intake, the target cancer rate, target hazard quotient and hazard index values obtained were below the threshold, indicating consumption of head and muscle of imported frozen fish sold in the study areas is safe and hazardless. However, because of their non-degradable nature and tendency to accumulate in tissues and organs, we recommended that heavy metals contamination in imported frozen fish should be monitored regularly, and packages should contain concentration labels before releasing it into the market value chain.

Fetal Wastages Among Food-producing Animals Slaughtered at Maiduguri Abattoir: Prevalence, Causes and Economic Implications

S.M. Jajere, S. Mohammed, D. Jidda, E.T. Emmanuel — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This study aimed to explore the occurrence of fetal wastage and its economic implications using a seven-year (2014 – 2020) retrospective Maiduguri abattoir records. A semi-structured questionnaire was also administered to butchers on the reasons for slaughtering of pregnant animals. Economic losses were also estimated. Of the 287563 female animals slaughtered during the study period, 53 797 (18.7%) fetal wastages were recorded with species-specific prevalences of 12% (n=10137), 9.5% (n=33458), 17.4% (n=13442) and 28.3% (n=26760) for calves, camel calves, lambs, and kids respectively. There was statistically significant association (p< 0.05) between season, species of slaughtered food-producing animals and the occurrence of fetal wastage. About N2.889 billion ($3,675,771), N985.5 million ($1,253,884.5), N1.277 billion ($1,624,344) and N762.660 million ($971,120.4) for cattle, camel, sheep and goat respectively were lost, that could have accrued if the fetuses have survived and reached market value as adults. Additionally, 1 213 380 kg of beef, 397 485 kg of camel meat, 357 560 kg of mutton and 564 368.4 kg of chevon valued at N3, 640,140,000 ($4,610,844), N1, 192,455,000 ($1,510,443), N1, 251,460,000 ($1,609,020) and N1, 975,289,400 ($2,539,657.8) respectively were also lost. Majority of the factors leading to the slaughter of pregnant food-producing animals were disease conditions, economic hardship, ignorance of the pregnancy status of the animal and feed scarcity during dry season. Therefore, it is imperative to reduce this practice through proper screening test, advocacy and public enlightenment campaigns for the need of pregnancy status assessment using an affordable, user-friendly rapid test kits at farms, livestock markets and abattoirs.

Antibiotic Residues in fresh Chicken, Fish and Beef Meat samples in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Prudent use of antibiotics in animal industry is essential for treatment of diseases and preventive measure. However, uncontrolled use of these agents in large amounts and consistently could result in the formation of antibiotic residues in muscle and organs of animal. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of antibiotic residue in fresh meats in Maiduguri. A crosssectional study was conducted from September 2022 to December 2022 to determine the antibiotic residue in 3 sources of meat samples. A total of 150 fresh meat samples (chicken, fish and beef) were collected from different sale points Maiduguri, and analyzed using a Premi® Test kit (R-Biopharm AG, Germany), a microbial screening commercial test kit for the detection of antibiotic residues. The results showed an overall antibiotic residue of 127/150 (84.7%) meat samples were positive for antibiotic residues. High antibiotic residues were found in Chicken meats 47/50 (94%), followed by fish 43/50 (86%), and beef 37/50 (74%). The results in this study show the presence of antibiotic residues in meat. Therefore, it is recommended that effective legislation on antibiotic use in animals should be enforced.