Thermoregulation in periparturient rabbit does and their neonatal kits with different litter sizes during West African winter

The study evaluated the changes in body temperatures and hematological parameters in periparturient rabbit does and the dynamics of body surface temperature in neonatal rabbit kits during West African winter. The variables were measured in 21 rabbits, comprising periparturient (n = 12) and dry (n = 9) does, and after kindling, the kits were grouped based on litter size, into small (4 kits per litter; n = 24) and large (5-7 kits per litter; n = 34) litter. Results revealed that all body temperatures of the does were lower (p < 0.05) during gestation compared with lactation period or dry does in all hours of the day, and the PCV was significantly higher in lactating than dry does. At birth, small litter kits had higher (p < 0.05) body weight and morning body surface temperature than the large litter kits. The large litter kits showed distinct (p < 0.05) diurnal variation in body surface temperature from birth, while diurnal variation in the small litter kits was absent (P > 0.05) in the first three days after birth. It was concluded that pregnant rabbits and large litter kits may have poor thermoregulation during West African winter, and thus, the need for special protective housing to improve productivity.

Metabolic adjustments in neonatal dwarf and normal-sized goat kids: Relationship between serum metabolites and body size

The relationship between body size and metabolism of goats remains poorly studied. The study evaluated the neonatal metabolic adjustments and elucidated the relationship between serum metabolites and body size in 39 single-born dwarf and normal-sized goat kids. Body weight, length and height of kids were recorded at birth and blood samples were collected from the dwarf and normal-sized (Red Sokoto and Sahel) goats on Days 0 (birth), 3, 10 and 20, postnatal. Also, the body mass index (BMI) was calculated and the concentration of metabolic markers was determined. Results revealed that values of BMI, body weight, length and height were lowest (P < 0.01) in the dwarf, followed by values in Red Sokoto kids, while the Sahel kids had the highest (P < 0.01) values. Conversely, the concentration of triglyceride at birth was highest (P < 0.05) in the dwarf, moderate in Red Sokoto and lowest in Sahel goats. Similarly, the Sahel goat kids had the lowest neonatal (P < 0.05) concentration of serum cholesterol. Neonatal concentrations of serum albumin and urea were higher in Sahel than Red Sokoto (P < 0.05) and the dwarf (P > 0.05) goats. Concentration of serum albumin was lower (P < 0.05) at birth, but significantly increased later, while values of serum urea concentration were higher (P < 0.05) at birth, but significantly decreased in subsequent postnatal days. Unlike the BMI, birth weight showed significant negative (P < 0.05) correlation with the concentration of most serum metabolites, especially triglyceride, which showed negative correlation at birth and in subsequent postnatal days. We concluded that dwarfism or small body size is associated with high serum triglyceride in single-born neonatal goats, and this is probably due to the accumulation of body energy reserve in the form of body fat to compensate for lower body tissue mass.

Comparative effect of dietary supplements on the performance and severity of experimental Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens

The effect of the dietary supplements, sugarcane molasses (prebiotic), Antox® (probiotic) and Enflorax® (synbiotic), on gut health, performance and severity of infection with Eimeria tenella in broiler chickens was evaluated in this study. Ninety-day-old broiler chicks were divided into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F). Groups B to F were challenged with Eimeria tenella (2.0 × 10⁴ oocysts/chick). Groups C, D and E were supplemented from day old with prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic, respectively, while F was administered amprolium. Groups A and B served as negative and positive controls, respectively. Feed intake and performance parameters were assessed weekly for each group. After infection clinical signs, morbidity and mortality rates were monitored alongside oocyst output, gross and microscopic caecal lesions. Infected chickens exhibited clinical signs 4 days post infection (dpi) with 100% morbidity in all infected groups. Infected groups showed significant (P < 0.05) drop in feed intake and weight gain from 3 to 5 weeks of age. Feed conversion ratio was highest in B but lower in the supplemented groups. Oocyst output in faeces were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the supplemented groups compared with B. Macroscopic lesion scores 7 dpi were significantly lower in the supplemented groups compared with B, though group F had the lowest mean score. Histopathological examination of caeca tissues showed milder lesions in the supplemented groups. In conclusion, the supplements prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic ameliorated the consequences of caecal coccidiosis in broiler chickens and therefore recommended for use in broiler production.

Postnatal hypoglycemia and blood glucose concentrations in neonatal tropical goat kids

This study aimed to evaluate the influences of breed, sex, litter size, and birth weight on the incidence of postnatal hypoglycemia and blood glucose concentrations in neonatal tropical goats. A total of 160 neonatal goat kids belonging to Red Sokoto (n = 98), Sahel (n = 40), and West African Dwarf (n = 22) breeds, were categorized after birth based on glycemic status, sex, litter size, and birth weights (high or low). Blood samples were collected on postnatal days 0, 1, 2, 3, 10, and 20 to determine blood glucose concentrations. Results revealed that the incidence of hypoglycemia at birth among neonatal goat kids was 22.5% (36/160) and was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the Sahel breed kids, twin kids, and kids born with low birth weights. After 24 hours, all hypoglycemic kids became normoglycemic but maintained lower (P < 0.05) blood glucose levels than those that were normoglycemic at birth, until day 10, when both groups had comparable blood glucose levels. In all groups, blood glucose concentrations increased significantly 24 hours postnatal, and kids with high birth weights had significantly higher values than those with low birth weights, while the buck kids had higher values than the doelings. There was a negative correlation (r = -0.31; P < 0.0003) between the blood glucose concentration of dams and those of their kids. In conclusion, the incidence of hypoglycemia in tropical goat kids was markedly influenced by breed, birth weight, and litter size. Furthermore, the hypoglycemic kids maintained lower blood glucose concentrations until day 10 postnatal, suggesting the need for relevant nutritional provisions for hypoglycemic kids during this critical period.

Thermoregulatory, oxidative stress and lipid responses in prepartum ewes administered with L-carnosine during the hot-dry season

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of L-carnosine administration to prepartum ewes on oxidative status, lipid profile and thermoregulatory responses in the tropics during the hot-dry season. Twenty pregnant ewes were allotted each into two groups of treated and untreated ewes. The untreated ewes received orally 10 mL of water, while treated ewes were administered orally with L-carnosine (100 mg/kg) daily during the last 3 weeks of gestation. Blood samples were obtained during pre-gestation on day 0, gestation days 136 and 143 and after lambing. Dry-bulb temperatures (DBTs) of the pen were measured once per week at 06:00, 14:00 and 18:00 h as well as the thermoregulatory responses of the ewes. Birth weights of the lambs were determined 2-3 h postpartum. The DBT (37.33 ± 1.20 °C) and temperature-humidity index (85.24 ± 1.91) were above the thermoneutral zone. The results revealed no significant effect of L-carnosine on thermoregulatory responses of ewes and on the live-birth weight of their lambs. Malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane and triglyceride concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) in treated ewes than in untreated ewes, but superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were higher (P < 0.05) in treated ewes compared to untreated ewes. In conclusion, L-carnosine reduced lipo-peroxidative products and augmented antioxidant enzyme activities in prepartum ewes under hot-dry conditions.

Influences of breed, sex and age on seasonal changes in haematological variables of tropical goat kids

Abstract. The influences of breed, sex and age on seasonal changes in haematological variables of kids (1–4 months old) belonging to Red Sokoto (n  =  60) and Sahel (n  =  60) goats were studied at the peaks of the cold-dry, hot-dry and rainy seasons in a West Africa Guinea savanna climate. The results showed that, during the hot-dry season, Sahel goat kids had significantly higher (P  <  0.05) packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) count but lower (P  <  0.05) mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and total leucocyte count than Red Sokoto kids. Similarly, younger kids of both breed had significantly higher (P  <  0.05) PCV and RBC but lower MCV, MCH and MCHC compared with the older kids during the hot-dry season. Younger kids (1–2 months) of both breeds exhibited significantly (P  <  0.05) high PCV and RBC but low MCH and MCHC during the hot-dry season as compared with the cold-dry and rainy seasons, with the magnitude of the change being greater in Sahel kids. More remarkable seasonal fluctuations in haematological parameters were observed in buck kids than doe kids of both breeds. Multivariate analysis revealed a clear distinction between the change in haematological parameters during the cold-dry as compared with the hot-dry and rainy seasons, with MCV having the strongest discriminating power (0.91*). In conclusion, breed, age and sex variations in haematological variables of goats were more pronounced in the hot-dry season, during which the seasonal changes were more dramatic in kids of Sahel goats, as well as in younger and male kids of both breeds. These findings may be useful in the management of tropical goat kids in different seasons.

In vivo ameliorative effects of methanol leaf extract of Lawsonia inermis Linn on experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection in Wistar rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of Lawsonia inermis Linn used traditionally against trypanosomosis. Twenty-five adult Wistar rats of both sex were individually infected intraperitoneally (IP) with 10⁶Trypanosoma congolense per ml of blood. Following establishment of infection, the rats were randomly divided into five groups of 5 rats each. Rats in groups I, II, and III were treated with 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract, respectively, while rats in groups IV and V were treated with 3.5 mg/kg and 2 ml/kg of diminazene aceturate (DM) once and physiological buffered saline, respectively. All treatments except DM were given orally for 7 days IP. The antitrypanosomal effect of the plant was assessed by observing the level of parasitaemia daily, packed cell volume (PCV) weekly, erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on day 21. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, triterpenes, steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced levels of parasitaemia at 250 mg/kg. PCV was higher (P > 0.05) in extract treated groups but significantly higher (P < 0.05) in group II at week 2 when compared to group V. Rats in group II had significantly lower values of EOF and MDA when compared with groups IV and V. Thus, the leaf of L. inermis has in addition to an antitrypanosomal effect against T. congolense in rats, an attenuating effect on the trypanosomosis pathology probably mediated via protection of the erythrocyte membrane against trypanosome-induced oxidative damage to the erythrocytes.

Performance Indices and Physiological Changes in Pearl Guinea Fowls (Numida Meleagris) Supplemented with Molasses through Drinking Water

Abstract. The study was aimed at evaluating the performance indices and physiologic changes in pearl guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) supplemented with molasses through drinking water. A total of thirty-two (n=32) day-old pearl guinea fowls raised to 12-week-old were used for the study. The fowls were randomly allocated to two groups (control and experimental) of 16 fowls each, with each having two replicates. Experimental fowls were given 5 mL molasses per litre of drinking water for 8 weeks, while control fowls were given only drinking water. Performance indices which include: feed consumption, water intake and percentage weight gain were measured. Rectal temperature was measured and blood samples were collected to evaluate the changes in haematological parameters, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations.  Results revealed that the molasses-treated fowls had significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage weight gain, blood total protein, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume compared to control. However, the feed consumptionwas significantly lower (P<0.05) in the molasses-treated fowls compared to control. In both groups, rectal temperature increased significantly (P<0.05) during the afternoon hours and was lower (P<0.05) in molasses-treated fowls than control during the evening hours. There was no significant difference in other haematological parameters, serum glucose, T4 and T3 betweengroups. In conclusion, molasses supplementation decreased feed consumption, improved body weight gain and enhanced nutritional status and erythropoiesis in guinea fowls.