Studies on the Trypanocidal and Haematological Effects of Cassia sieberiana DC (Caesalpinaceae) Stem Bark Aqueous Extract in Trypanosoma brucei Infected Albino Rats

¹BIU, A.A., ²BURATAI, L.B., ²MARK, V.A., ²SAMSON, Y., ¹MOHAMMED, A., ¹PAUL, B.T., ³FASUYI, F.H.,⁴BADAU, J.S., ⁵SAIDU, A.M., ⁶COMFORT, Y. AND ⁷MALANG, S.K.

¹Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

³National Biotechnology Development Agency, Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁶Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.

⁷Department of Veterinary Parasitology & Entomology, University of Abuja, Nigeria.

E-mail: biuvet@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Studies on the trypanocidal efficacy and the haematological effects of Cassia sieberiana DC (Caesalpinaceae) stem bark aqueous extract on Trypanosoma brucei infected albino rats was conducted in Maiduguri, Nigeria. There was a progressive increase in parasite count In vivo in the infected untreated (negative control) and infected extract treated groups of rats as from the 2^nd day post inoculation, but became significant (p<0.05) on the 8^th day in these groups, while the rats infected and treated with diminazene aceturate (positive control) showed disappearance in parasites in their systemic circulation from the 12^th day post treatment. Complete cessation of motility of parasites was observed In vitro 10 minutes post inoculation with the concentrations of 1mg/10ml and 2 mg/10ml of Cassia sieberiana stem bark aqueous extract respectively. At the concentration of 4 mg/10ml, the motility count was zero at 5 minutes. Motility was observed in parasites in the micro titre well used as control but ceased after 30 minutes. The haematological parameters of the rats treated with graded doses of the stem bark aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana had significant (p<0.05) decrease in PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC, while the diminazene aceturate (Veriben^®) treated albino rats had insignificant (p>0.05) decrease when compared to the rats in the control group. This study has indicated a decrease in mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC%) with a significant (p<0.05) increase in mean cell volume values of extract treated albino rats compared with the normal and positive control groups.Theextract had suppressive effect on monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils counts of extract treated rats when compared to the differential leucocytic counts of the control group. There was insignificant (p>0.05) increase in monocytes, lymphocytes and eosinophils, and a decrease in neutrophils count in albino rats treated with diminazene aceturate when compared to the differential leucocytic count of the albino rats in the control group. This study has revealed the toxic effect of aqueous extract of Cassia sieberiana stem bark on the haematology of albino rats and its In vitro trypanocidal activity on Trypanosoma brucei.   

Women Participation in Fish Marketing as a Source of Economic Empowerment and Poverty Reduction in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State – Nigeria

ANITA, D.A AND WACHAP, E.D.

Home and Rural Economic Department

College of Agriculture Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: juliusnyameh@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The study attempts to asses women perception in fish marketing as a source of economic empowerment and poverty reduction in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba state in Nigeria. Seven (7) political wards were randomly selected with ten (10) fish marketers selected from each ward. A total of seventy (70) structured questionnaires were administered among the selected fish marketers through random sampling techniques. The result shows that majority of the fist marketers are youths (38.57%, 28.57% and 4.30%) respectively. Similarly, all the respondents are females (100%), most of the women involved in the survey are married women (42.86%) while the rest were single, divorced and widows (28.5%, 18.57% and 10%) respectively. The sampled population has 42.86% primary school leavers only 20% of the sampled size has not attended formal education. Most of them 42.86% were engaged in marketing of smoked fish while 7.14% were involved in marketing of live fish. Half of the respondents (50%) get their capital for operation through the local community bank while 7.14% do not have access to any form of loan except gift through friends and relations. It was therefore, concluded that women participation in fish marketing is a potential economic activity in the area that need to be motivated and encouraged by engaging especially the single women and ladies by providing them with a viable source of capital in form of loans from perhaps commercial banks in the area at a less interest rate. This when done will empower the women economically and it will reduced and/or eradicate poverty to a tolerable level among the inhabitants particularly the women fold.

A Histological and Histochemical Study of the Cerebral Cortex Following Acute Lead Poisoning in Wistar Rats

NWAKANMA A.A¹, IDAGUKO A.², NWOZOR C.M³, OFOEGO U.C¹, OKAFOR I.J¹, IBEMENUGA E¹.

¹Anatomy Department, Anambra State University, Uli Campus, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

²Anatomy Department, Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, Nigeria. 

³Physiology Department, Anambra State University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: corneliusnwozor@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The effect of acute lead poisoning on the cerebral cortex of wistar rat was investigated. Twenty adult wistar rats weighing 200-220g were randomly divided into four groups designated A, B, C and D with five rats in each group. Group A served as control and received food and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Groups B, C and D were given food and water contaminated with 100ppm, 1000ppm and 5000ppm of lead acetate respectively ad libitum for 21days. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed using chloroform anesthesia. The whole brains were fixed in formol saline; cerebral cortex was then dissected and processed for routine H and E staining and Nissl substance using cresyl fast violet method. Results showed dose dependent weight loss (P<0.05). Histologically, the cerebral cortex of group B rats showed hypertrophied cells, group C showed vacuolations around cells with few cells at various stages of cell death while group D showed hypertrophied cells with many cells at various stages of cell death. There was also dose dependent chromatolysis in the treatment groups stained for Nissl substance when compared with the control. These results revealed that the toxic effect of lead exposure is dose dependent.

Seasonal Effect of a Comparative Study on Growth and Reproductive Performance of Three Breeds of Rabbit

¹OKIYI, P.C. AND ²EDOH, H.C.

¹National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Abia State University, Umuahia Location, Abia State, Nigeria.

E-mail: okiyipatrickc@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The experiment was carried out to find out the effect of season on growth and reproduction of rabbits in Nigeria. The rabbits used in this experiment consist of ten (10) Does and three (3) Bucks from each breed of rabbits. The three breeds used were New Zealand White, Chinchilla and California. Water and concentrate were readily available ad libitum with forage like guinea grass-Panicum maximum and elephant grass- Pennisetum purpurem which was supplied two (2) to three (3) times a week for fiber requirement. The experiment lasted for five (5) months; between November to March, at the peak of the dry season. One way classification and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with equal replication; while the Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test was used to compare mean among the three breeds of rabbits, as described by Steel and Torrie (1960). Results showed that there were significant difference (P<0.05) in number of kids born alive, litter birth weight and doe weight change between kindling and weaning. It further shows that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the other characteristics. The result of the study showed that New Zealand White kindled more kids alive than either of the two breeds. The change in does weight at kindling and weaning also showed that New Zealand White was heaviest than either of the two breeds (p<0.05). Chinchilla delivered the heaviest kids among the breeds tested (P<0.05).

Effect of Moisture at Tillage on Bulk Density and Soil Strength

¹SHITTU, K.A., ¹OYEDELE, D.J., ²BABATUNDE, K.M. AND ADELEKUN, M.F

¹Department of Soil Science and Land Resources Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

²Department of Agricultural Technology, The Polytechnic Ibadan, Saki Campus, Oyo State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: mbabatundekayode@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at investigating the changes in bulk density and soil strength in response to soil moisture contents at tillage and to manage the soil in relation to soil conservation. The experimental units were ploughed at different moisture content ranging from 19% MCI to 13% MC4 except control plots which were sprayed with systematic herbicide.  The soil ranged between sandy loams to loamy sand in the profile. The experiment was carried out at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (OAUT & R.F), Ile-Ife in 2011. The experimental field was 0.6ha and was laid out in a modified randomized complete block design RCBD. For the first cropping session, cone index was significantly lowest for MC2 treatment 1.35kg/cm² followed by MC3 treatment 1.32kg/cm² at 0-5 cm soil depth, no tillage which had the highest value 1.84kg/cm². At 5-10cm soil depth, MC3 had significantly lowest cone index 1.57 kg/cm² also no significant difference was also recorded for the bulk densities of the two seasons considered. However, there was a significant difference among the treatments for initial bulk density considered. MC3 had the highest bulk density value 1.48a glcm³ followed by MC1, 1.44ab glcm³ and MC4 1.43ab glcm³, the least value was recorded for MC2, 1.32b glcm³.

Comparative Study of the Fecundity and Growth Rate of Three Breeds of Rabbit-(New-Zealand White, Chinchilla and California)

¹OKIYI, P.C., ²IHUKWUMERE F.C. AND ³KANU, C.N.

^1,2&3National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.

E-mail:okiyipatrickc@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The growth and reproductive performance of three breeds of rabbits: New-Zealand white, Chinchilla and California were compared at the peak of dry season, using 15 does and 3 bucks, 1 – 3 years old with live weight ranging from 1.5 – 2.5kg. Balanced compounded growers concentrate, chicken pelleted diet, forage and water were available ad libitum. Characteristics considered in the study for comparison were conception rate, gestation length, number kindled alive, number of still birth, litter birth weight, weight at 8 and 12 weeks, weight of Doe between kindling and weaning. Results show that there were differences in number of kids kindled alive, litter birth weight and weight of Doe between kindling and  weaning (P<0.05), but there were no differences in the other characteristics. The New-Zealand white delivered more kids alive than either of the two breeds. The change in doe weight at kindling and weaning also shows that New-Zealand white was heaviest than either of the two breeds (P<0.05). Chinchilla delivered heaviest kids among the breeds tested (P<0.05).  

Antibiotic Residues in Poultry Slaughtered in Monday Market in Maiduguri City of Borno State, Nigeria.

SEWOND, B., AYI, A.S. AND MUSA, B.

Department of Animal Health and Production

College of Agriculture, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria.

E-mail: willilove2000@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Wrong used of antibiotics have the tendency or inclination to deposit some residues in the tissues of animals for human consumption. This research was undertaken to look into the importance and presence of antibiotic residues in poultry meat in Maiduguri. One hundred and fifty-five samples of poultry meat were collected from various poultry slaughter units. Five grams of each sample was subjected to thin layer chromatography for detection of antibiotic residues. The samples were crushed and squeezed in 5ml of ethanol. They were clarified by centrifuging the solvent and evaporated completely using water bath. They were later loaded and run on silica gel plates and developed by putting in developing tank containing 50ml of methanol and acetone. This was lastly put in the iodine tank for chromatography to be developed for observation. The results showed that 21 (13.54%) of the samples were positive for oxytetracycline while 3 (1.93%) of them were positive for procaine penicillin. In conclusion, antibiotic residues are common in hybrid birds; proper attention should be given to the breed in terms of management. It is recommended that the use of antibiotics should follow withdrawal period in relation to marketing period. Proper professionals should be employed to handle the administration of antibiotics to birds.

Impacts of Some Heavy Metals on the Population of Micro-Organisms in the Soil of Maiganga Coal Mining Area, Gombe-Nigeria

¹ADAMU, S.J., ²UMAR, A.T. AND ²MAHMOUD, A.B.

¹Department of Geography, Gombe State University, Tudunwada, Gombe State, Nigeria.

²Department of Biological Sciences, Gombe State University, Tudunwada, Gombe State, Nigeria.

 E-mail: sanidaddy@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The number of bacterial and fungal colony forming unit (CFU) were determined in soils of Maiganga Coal mining area using a plate dilution technique on Thorton agar at dilution factor 10^-3 and 10^-4. Samples of soils were collected from farms in the areas: Farms: Coal mine: as well as residential areas which serve as the control site. Two sets of data were collected for the research: at the beginning of the rainy season (April/May 2012): and at the peak of rainy season (August/September 2012). The number of colony forming unit in the soils of the first sample were generally lower with the highest recorded at the residential area, farmlands and coal mined areas respectively. While the number of colony forming unit in the soils of the second sample were higher, also with the highest number of colony at the residential area followed by coal mined and farming areas respectively for bacterial count. While for the fungal count the highest number of colony were recorded at the residential, farmlands and coal mined areas respectively. The research concluded that for the future: investigation of soil microbial community structure and their activities should be done together; this would give more reliable and accurate information about the toxic effects of heavy metals on soil for either farming, mining or housing purposes.

Environmental Effects of Chemical Fertilizer Production in Nigeria

Environmental Effects of Chemical Fertilizer Production in Nigeria

UCHE OKEKE

Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Anambra State University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria

E-mail: victorokeke67@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The production of chemical fertilizers increases agricultural productivity but it have many environmental effects. These environmental effects take places in natural environment. These environmental effects result in green-house effect, acidification of soil and water ecosystems, and gaseous pollution of the air. Statistical methods are deplored to show the increase in consumption of fertilizers in Nigeria. The water related environment costs are change in quantity and quality of water as a consequence of human activities, contamination with biological and chemical wastes and water related diseases such as malaria, typhoid and cholera. Soil related environmental costs are altering soil constituents. Air related environmental costs are altering the air composition whereas the biological human related environmental costs are the altering of living conditions.

Economic Analysis of Marketing Locally Milled Rice at Micro Scale in Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria

OJUMU, SEGUN AND ADEYELU, ADEGOKE

Department of Agricultural Extension and Management

Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.

Email: segojum@yahoo.com, adegokeadeyelu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Nigeria is a major producer, importer and consumer of rice in Africa. The country produces and mills about 60% of the quantity of rice being consumed by its citizens. Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River State is a significant producer of paddy rice in the South-South Zone and major supplier of same to the popular Abakaliki Small Scale Rice Mills. The study examined the profitability of marketing locally milled rice at micro scale level in the Local Government Area. Five villages were purposively sampled for the study due to the high population of rice traders/marketers within them. They were Bansara, Ebung, Ekwaro, Down Ibil and Ishiaya. The study depended mainly on primary data which were collected through structured questionnaires, oral interviews, personal observations and the use of a weighing scale. A total number of fifty (50) questionnaires were administered to rice traders who were randomly selected from the five (5) villages and ten (10) respondents from each village. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgeting analysis, profitability analysis and marketing efficiency measures. The results of the study revealed that the majority of rice traders were male, literate and within economically productive age bracket. An average net income of N2726.5 per 100kg paddy rice was obtained for rice traders with an average rate of return of 0.35 and a gross ratio of 0.73. The marketing efficiency measure showed that rice traders had a marketing efficiency index of 1.38. The major challenges of the rice traders were insufficient supply of paddy rice and lack of access to credit.