Animal Research International

5396 – 5402

Authors: ADEDEJI, Tosin Ademola, POPOOLA, Abimbola Deborah, AMAO, Shola Rasheed, OJUA, Oluwatobi Elijah and OKEDIRAN, Tope Emmanuel

This study evaluated the blood lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein). In the study, 18 chickens each of Naked Neck (NN), Normal Feather (NF), Kuroiler (KR) and their crossbreds were used. They were reared under the same environment and management. Chickens were slaughtered and blood samples were taken at 24 weeks of age, the serum was harvested by centrifugation, and then the total cholesterol (TCH), triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were assayed using an enzymatic kit, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined using the Friedwald equation. The results obtained indicated that genotype significantly differed (p<0.01) in TCH, TG and HDL levels. Sexwisely, males had significantly higher (p<0.01) levels of TCH (96.99 ± 8.78 mg/dL), TG (102.98 ± 11.15 mg/dL) and LDL (52.11 ± 2.12 mg/dL) in all the genotypes than its female counterpart. Furthermore, NN progenies recorded the lowest values in all parameters studied, TCH (61.44 ± 5.09 mg/dL), TG (61.23 ± 19.46 mg/dL), HDL (26.84 ± 4.04 mg/dL) and LDL (32.55 ± 14.10 mg/dL). The TCH and TG were low in both NN and NF chickens but the HDL and LDL were very low in NN birds while the level of cholesterol and fat was high in the pure exotic breed and low in the crossbred progenies. The reported lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations are reflected in their concentrations in blood and protect human beings from atherosclerosis. Therefore, estimation of blood lipid in these birds is recommended for future study.

5415 – 5433

Authors: OFFORBUIKE, Innocent Ikechukwu, EZEONYEJIAKU, Chigozie Damian, OKOYE, Charles Obinwanne and OKEKE, John Joseph

Microplastic pollution is adversely impacting the Amansea section of Ezu River in Anambra State, adversely affecting local aquatic life. This study examined microplastic pollution in the Amansea section of Ezu River, Anambra State. Water and fish samples (Xenomystus nigri, Malapterurus electricus, and Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) were collected from three sections of the river: upstream, midstream, and downstream. The physicochemical parameters of water: temperature, pH, TDS, EC, DO, alkalinity, and TSS, were measured using standard water analysis techniques, while microplastics were extracted and identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Statistical analysis revealed the highest microplastic levels at the upstream section of Ezu River (0.23 ± 0.12), with lower levels at the midstream and downstream sections (0.14 ± 0.16). The fish X. nigri had the highest microplastic load in gills (0.53 ± 0.08) and tissues (0.7 ± 0.04). Different microplastic types prevailed across locations and fish species: upstream water and M. electricus gills contained mostly polyvinyl alcohol, X. nigri gills predominantly had alginic acid sodium salt powder, and P. fulvidraco gills and fish tissues featured polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylamide carboxyl, respectively. Neoprene was notably present in X. nigri tissues. Fish samples (0.41 ± 0.19) were more polluted than water samples (0.17 ± 0.15). These findings highlight the presence of microplastic pollutants in the Ezu River and its potential impact on aquatic organisms. Hence, implementing strict regulations on plastic waste management, raising public awareness, and promoting sustainable practices, continued monitoring and research are recommended as essential and effective mitigation measures.

5443 – 5452

Authors: MADUWUBA, Maryjoy Chidinma

The bacteriological and physicochemical quality of crude oil-polluted soil undergoing laboratory-scale bioremediation was evaluated. Soil samples were collected from an abandoned oil field in the Gio community, Ogoni land, Nigeria. Four different bioremediations experimental setups comprised of the polluted soil only (A), polluted soil with bacterial consortium (B), polluted soil with NPK fertilizer (C) and polluted soil with cow dung (D) were employed in the degradation of crude oil-derived hydrocarbons present in the soil and monitored for 40 days. During treatment, there was an increase in total culturable heterotrophic bacterial count (TCHBC) and total culturable hydrocarbon utilising bacterial count (TCHUBC), especially in the test treatment (B) which experienced about 22.2% increase in TCHUBC. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) concentration reduced over treatment time by 33.8, 62.3, 61.49, and 40.25% respectively, for Samples A, B, C and D. Overall, pH reduced from highly acidic tending towards neutral pH. There was also an overall reduction in the percentage of moisture and phosphate concentration. There was an initial increase in nitrate concentration at day 20 for all samples but a decline in concentration at day 40. There was a 71% reduction in TOC in Sample A, 83% reduction in Sample B, and 79 and 24% reduction in samples C and D. This study has demonstrated the effectiveness of each treatment approach in the degradation of hydrocarbons, especially the use of indigenous bacterial consortium from polluted soil. The role of bacterial consortium in bioremediation proves their ability to clean hydrocarbon-impacted systems for environmental restoration.

5459 – 5466

Authors: ADEGBENRO, Muyiwa, AYENI, Akinlolu Oluwafemi,AKINTOMIDE, Aanuoluwapo Adeyemi, ATANSUYI, Adewale Johnson, KENNEDY, Oluwatosin Ohotuowo and AGBEDE, Johnson Oluwasola

This study investigated black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) as a replacement for fish meal on growth performance and economy of production of broiler chickens. Black soldier fly larvae were processed, dried and milled. 250 Cobb 500 breed day-old chicks were randomly allotted at 50 chicks per treatment (five) in a Completely Randomized Design. The BSFLM was used to replace fish meal at graded levels 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and designated diets I, II, III, IV and V, and diets and water were fed to the chickens ad libitum. The result showed that the feed intake was significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the dietary treatments. The highest feed intake (5069.10 ± 43.42 g/bird) was recorded in bird-fed Diet I, while the lowest feed intake (4855.93 ± 130.69 g/bird) was recorded in bird-fed Diet IV. The highest final weight (2000.00 ± 50.00 g) and best feed conversion ratio (2.52 ± 0.13) were recorded in birds fed diets I and III, respectively. The highest dressed and eviscerated weights (91.19 ± 23.85 and 76.51 ± 10.59%) were recorded in birds fed Diet IV and III, respectively. The highest net profit/bird (N3208.48) was recorded in bird-fed Diet V. The percentage of net profit/bird increased as the level of BSLM inclusion increased. It is concluded within the limit of this study that replacing FM with BSLM will reduce the high cost of finished feed, thereby increasing farmers' profit and making animal protein available to the populace.

5475 – 5485

Authors: ADEYEYE, Aderonke Adebukola, IBHAZE, Gladys Abiemwense and FAJEMISIN, Adebowale Noah

A study was conducted using twenty-one (21) West African Dwarf (WAD) goats with an average weight of 10.50 ± 0.36 kg to evaluate the nutrient intake, weight gain, and nitrogen balance of WAD goats fed microbial-treated Bambara nutshell diets. The chemical and mineral compositions of the diets were also determined. The goats were allotted to seven dietary treatments, replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The Bambara nutshells were sterilized for 15 minutes, inoculated with 25, 50, and 75 ml of each Pleurotus pulmonaris and Aspergillus niger, incubated for 7 days and air dried. The treated Bambara nutshell was incorporated into the diets at the rate of 0ml (Diet A), 25 ml P. pulmonaris (Diet B), 50 ml P. pulmonaris (Diet C), (Diet D), 75 ml P. pulmonaris (Diet E), 25 ml A. niger (Diet F) 50 ml A. niger and (Diet G) 75 ml A. niger respectively. The experimental period lasted for 56 days excluding 2 weeks of adaptation. Results showed that the proximate compositions were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by the treatment except for crude protein (CP). Diet F had the highest dry matter (DM) values (94.77%) and CP (20.33%) while Diet C had the least (92.33%) DM and Diet G (19.16%) had the least CP. Goats fed Diet D had the highest daily weight gain (107.14 g/day), and best feed/gain ratio of 6.20. Conclusively, microbial treatment of Bambara nutshell will help in the conversion of these wastes to better quality ruminant feed for better performance.

5495 – 5502

Authors: EKERE, Samuel Okezie, EZEMA, Arinzechukwu Stephen, NJOKU, Adachi Lovelyn, ANYA, Okelu Kenneth, OBIDIKE, Ikechukwu Reginald and IHEDIOHA, John Ikechukwu

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effects of graded levels of Curcuma longa (turmeric) powder on the kits sired by dosed male and female rabbits. Twenty rabbits (16 does and 4 bucks) 7 months of age were used for this experiment. The does and bucks were assigned to four groups (A – D) of 4 does to 1 buck per group. Groups A, B and C received 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of turmeric powder reconstituted in distilled water. Group D (control) received 1 ml of distilled water. Dosing was done per os daily for 30 days before the buck in each group was allowed to cohabit with the dose of the corresponding group. Gestational length, litter body weights (at birth), litter size and crown-rump lengths were all measured. There were no significant variations (p>0.05) in the gestation length of does and litter body weight in all the groups. The mean litter size in Group B does was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of Group D does. The crown-rump length of pups from does in all the turmeric-treated groups (A, B and C) were however significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of pups from Group D. The results of this study showed that at 500 mg/kg of turmeric powder, the dose had improved reproductive performance than when given at a higher dosage (1000 mg/kg) of turmeric powder per os.

5518 – 5528

Authors: AGBAYE, Folorunso Peter and ALABA, Olufemi

A study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidative effects of Aloe barbadensis leaf methanolic extract (ABLME) on the quality and spermatozoa fertilising potential of extended goat semen. 100 g of fresh A. barbadensis leaves were washed, chopped, dried, ground and extracted with 95.0% methanol (ABLME). The ABLME was added to egg yolk + sodium citrate (EYSC) diluent at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g/L and used to extend the goat semen. The extended semen samples were stored at 4oC and were evaluated at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours post storage. All treatments were replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. Spermatozoa progressive motility (SPM), spermatozoa liveability (SPL), normal spermatozoa (NSP), acrosome integrity (ACI), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), secondary morphological abnormalities (SMA) and microbial load (CFU/mL) were evaluated and analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Significant reduction in microbial load was observed in samples with 2.0 g/L ABLME (6.83 ± 4.80%) compared to control (27.50 ± 3.20%) at 48 hours. Reduced SMA was recorded for 2.00 g/L ABLME (9.00 ± 0.90%) compared to control (13.67 ± 1.00%). Methanolic extract (2.00 g/L) of A. barbadensis included in egg yolk + sodium citrate diluent gave antibacterial activity to extended buck semen for up to 48 hours.

5548 – 5552

Authors: NDAMS, Samuel Shehu, DARE, Theophilus Aderemi and ELAIGWU, Sunday

A 28-day experiment was conducted to examine the effect of additive ginger meal (GM) as a phytobiotic in the diets of broiler chickens in terms of feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). 96 four-weeks-old broiler chickens were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments each replicated thrice (eight birds per replicate). Four experimental diets were formulated with the control (D1) without GM (0%). Bird’s group on diets D2, D3 and D4 were fed with GM supplemented at 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% levels respectively. The FI of birds fed a 0.2% GM-supplemented diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to birds fed 0, 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets The BWG of birds fed a 0.2% GM-supplemented diet was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to those on 0, 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets. The BWG of birds fed 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets were similar (p>0.05) but significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to control. The FCR of birds fed 0.2% GM-supplemented was statistically better (p<0.05) compared to those fed 0, 0.1 and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets. The FCR of birds fed 0.1% and 0.3% GM-supplemented diets were similar (p>0.05) but significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to the control diet. Feed cost (N) per kg gain increases with increased levels of GM supplementation in the diets. It is concluded that the feeding of broiler finisher chickens with GM supplemented at 0.2% improves performance and can be a viable alternative to antibiotic feed additives in the diets of broiler finisher chickens.