Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Gross and Histological Studies of the Uterus of Sahel Goat (Capra hircus)

Y. B. Majama, A. M. Wulgo, S. Burah, M. B. Mahre, H. D. Kwari — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sahel goats are regarded as important breeds of goats widely distributed in West Africa and are easily recognized through their reproductive performance and physical appearance. This study aimed to investigate the gross and histological characteristics of 35 uteri of female Sahel goats aged 24 - 42 months, weighing between 30kg - 40kg respectively. The procedure was carried out at the Large Animal Clinic, University of Maiduguri Veterinary Teaching Hospital, following a successful ovariohysterectomy of 35 does at postpartum (days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28). The uterus was then processed for morphological and histological studies at the postgraduate research laboratory, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri. The harvested uterus appeared as large hollow organ, pear-shaped and dark red in colour. The shape and conformation of placentomes differed on postpartum days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. The lumen was observed, showing the presence of dark fluid. Histologically, the luminal epithelium in the caruncular area of the endometrium appeared taller and more folded at postpartum days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28, consisting of simple columnar epithelium. The stroma showed numerous glands that are more tortuous and elongated in shape, with numerous blood vessels and lymphocytes at postpartum days 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. This study observed significant changes in the gross morphology and histological structure of the uterus throughout the postpartum period, including reductions in uterine size, epithelial remodeling, and alterations in glandular and muscular layers.

Temporal Pattern of Elution of Newcastle disease virus (V4 and Komarov strains) Following Haemagglutination of Chicken and Guinea Pig Erythrocytes

A. B. Nabi, A. D. El-Yuguda — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The temporal pattern of elution of V4 and Komarov strains of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) following haemagglutination of chicken and guinea pig red blood cells (RBCs) was investigated at different temperature conditions (4ᵒC, 25ᵒC, 37ᵒC and 45ᵒC). Chicken and guinea pig RBCs were haemagglutinated with V4 and Komarov strains of NDV and the haemagglutinated RBCs were centrifuged at 1,000 rpm for 5 minutes and the packed cells re-suspended in PBS, incubated at different temperatures and time intervals, centrifuged and the supernatants used to haemagglutinate fresh 2.5% suspension of chicken and guinea pig RBCs. The rate of elution of the two NDV strains increased with increase in incubation temperature against either RBC types. Significant elution pattern of the two virus strains were observed between the incubation temperatures of 45ᵒC compared to 4ᵒC and 25ᵒC using chicken RBC and between 45ᵒC and 4ᵒC using guinea pig RBC. Significant differences (≥4 fold rise in HA titre) in elution patterns between the chicken and guinea pig RBCs was only exhibited by the NDV Komarov strain at 37ᵒC and 45ᵒC. Only the chicken RBC showed notable difference in elution pattern between the two viruses at 4ᵒC. Maximum elution was recorded at 90-120 minutes of incubation, for both virus strains using the two RBCs and different incubation temperatures with the exception of NDV V4 at 45ᵒC using chicken RBC. Both virus strains demonstrated least elution at 4ᵒC and maximum elution at 45ᵒC using either RBC type. The 4ᵒC incubation temperature did not exhibit significant (≤4 fold rise in HA titre) elution by either virus strains against the different RBC types. In conclusion, the two NDV strains (Komarov and V4) were observed to elute from haemagglutinated chicken and guinea pig RBCs with increase in temperatures, with optimal elutions demonstrated at 45ᵒC and for 90 – 120 minutes of incubation and least elution at 4ᵒC throughout the period of incubation.

Expression Profiles of IFN- γ, IL-2 and IL-1β Genes in Village Chickens Naturally Infected with Chicken Anaemia Virus

Y. M. Shettima, H. I. Gambo, M. U. Sajo, M. B. Abubakar, A. D. El-Yuguda — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The cytokines IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-1β play crucial roles in the immune response against viral infections in chickens. Conventional PCR was conducted using primers that can specifically detect chicken anaemia virus (CAV). The expression levels of these cytokines in 100 village chicken that were naturally infected with CAV were investigated using Reverse Transcriptase Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Tissue samples (thymus, liver, bursa of Fabricius and spleen) were collected from the village chicken in Nigeria and the tissues from each bird were pooled and subsequently subjected toRT-qPCR to determine the expression levels of IFN- γ, IL-2 and IL-1βgenes using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and 28S as housekeeping genes. The results showed that IFN-ɤ, IL-1β, and IL-2 cytokines had 43.3-, 77.2-, and 85.0- absolute increases, respectively. These findings underscore the interplay of cytokines in orchestrating effective immune responses, offering insights for improving disease management strategies against CAV in chickens.

Concurrent Infections of Poultry with Chicken Infectious Anaemia and Infectious Bursal Disease Viruses in Maiduguri, Nigeria: A Seroprevalence Study

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Chicken infectious anaemia virus (CAV) and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) are significant pathogens causing severe economic losses in the global poultry industry. In this study, serum samples from village chickens, broilers, layers, ducks, turkeys and geese in Maiduguri were tested for CAV and IBDV antibodies using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Among the 944 serum samples tested, 309 (32.7%) were seropositive for concurrent CAV and IBDV antibodies. The species distribution showed 29.9% (120/401) village chickens, 23.1% (12/52) layers, 46% (144/313) broilers, 21.3% (27/127) turkeys, 3.4% (1/29) ducks, and 22.7% (5/22) geese were positive for both CAV and IBDV antibodies. The sex distribution of the mixed CAV and IBDV seropositive samples showed an overall seroprevalence rates of 36.6% and 25.7% among males and females respectively. This study highlights the widespread presence of CAV and IBDV infections among poultry species in Maiduguri. Further research is needed to evaluate the economic impact and the cost-effectiveness of control measures.

Suspected Brucellosis in Two Sokoto Gudali Bulls

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In the process of daily routine operation at the Funtua abattoir, Katsina State, two adult Sokoto Gudali bulls were presented for slaughter. Close investigation during ante mortem examination revealed the bulls with swellings on their carpal joints. Further enquiry revealed long standing history of abortion and retained placenta in their herds. A decision to delay slaughter of the bulls was made till after the day’s activities. A decision was also made to collect blood without EDTA and hygroma fluid from the affected joints for screening of brucellosis at the Bacterial Zoonoses Laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The results from the serologicaltest indicated that the two bulls have evidence Brucella antibodies. Slaughter of the bulls was carried out and the knees of the bulls condemned. The State Veterinary Services was then alerted for necessary action. Presence of hygroma may be considered as evidence of brucellosis in the herd. The owners were advised not to breed such animals in future.

Post-mortem Diagnosis of Small Colon Polythene-fecalith Impaction-induced Colic in a 5-year-old Local Stallion (Equus ferus caballus)

S. E. Abalaka, J. S. Akinbobola, S. Z. Tags, S. O. Okaiyeto — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A necropsy was performed on a 5-year-old local stallion (Equus ferus caballus) weighing about 290 kg stabled adjacent to a household waste dump site. The horse was reportedly restless and anorexic with constipation some 72 hours before death. Other signs before death included pyrexia, bruxism, hyperpnoea, congested mucous membranes, and enlarged abdomen. The stallion had hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and congested lungs with ecchymotic haemorrhage on the coronary fat of the heart. There was congestion of the serosal surface of the anterior one-third of the small intestine with enlarged caecum containing granular semi-solid materials. Also, the small colon was progressively ballooned until it became wholly obstructed by an oval-shaped polythene-fecalith mass weighing about 300 g and at a point about 35 cm to the anal opening. The finding led to a definitive diagnosis of polythene-fecalith impaction of the small colon-induced colic in the horse. This has highlighted the dangers associated with inadequate nutrition, unsanitary stabling of horses and lack of exercise in the pathogenesis of some colic conditions in horses.