Sokoto Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Seroprevalence of equine influenza in three southwestern states of Nigeria

2024-06-27T21:13:26+00:00

Equine influenza (EI) virus is one of the most economically significant pathogens causing respiratory disorders in equids. The recent outbreaks of EI in equids in North Western Nigeria showed EI virus is circulating in the Northern part of the country. This study determined the seroprevalence of EI infection in horses from the Southwestern states of Nigeria. One hundred sera samples from horses kept in three South Western states: Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo were screened for antibodies against influenza A nucleoprotein antigen using the direct ELISA method. Positive sera samples were thereafter examined thereafter further examined for haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies to the H3 subtype of the influenza A virus. Antibodies were detected in 60 of the horses (22 Lagos, 8 Ogun and 30 Oyo). Although significantly higher seropositivity was observed in the male horses, seroprevalence of EI was also higher among 11- 15 years, exotic breeds and patrol horses. High seropositivity of horses in the South Western states of Nigeria to EIV infection is an indication that adequate monitoring of horse movement and continuous surveillance of the virus and vaccination should be strongly recommended.

Phytochemical analysis of bioactive compounds in ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera [Lam.]

2024-06-26T21:08:34+00:00

Moringa oleifera is called a miracle plant due to its diverse uses and several medicinal benefits all over the world. There are several bioactive secondary metabolites yet to be discovered. This study was conducted to actuate the biochemical content of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (ELEMO) using Agilent Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Quantitative phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extracts of the leaf revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids and phenols. The GC-MS results of the extract were relevant to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. GC-MS analysis of ELEMO showed the presence of n-hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (33.42), Pentadecanoic acid, 14-methyl-methyl ester (36.23), Ethyl 9,12,15-octadecatrienoate (33.12 and 4-(4-Chlorobenzoyl)-1-cyclohexyl-5-tosylamino-1 H-1,2,3-triazole (31.24). Results from this study may potentiate the discovery of more valuable bioactive components of industrial and pharmaceutical importance.

Comparative evaluation of serum amyloid A concentration in Red Sokoto bucks neutered using different procedures

2024-06-27T20:04:35+00:00

In this study, the changes in concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA) induced by orchidectomy, Burdizzo castration, and in-situ spermatic cord ligation in Red Sokoto bucks were evaluated. Sixteen (16) Red Sokoto bucks, 6 months to one year old and weighing between 11kg and 12 kg, were randomly divided into 4 groups (A-D), each comprising 4 bucks. Bucks in group A were castrated using the Burdizzo method, B in-situ spermatic cord ligation, and C orchidectomy while group D served as control. Blood was collected from each buck, serum was harvested and analyzed for SAA at 0, 4, 8, 12, 15, 20, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours post-castration. Results revealed significant increase (p=0.028) in the levels of SAA in all castrated goats from 4 hours post-castration, reaching peak concentration at 20 hours post-castration with the highest recorded in goats castrated by orchidectomy (63.34 ± 1.49 pg/mL; 120.44 ± 3.74 pg/mL), followed by in-situ spermatic cord ligation (25.08 ± 2.19 pg/mL; 109.77 ± 2.97 pg/mL) and then Burdizzo (61.36 ± 2.63 pg/mL; 87.29 ± 3.92 pg/mL). This was followed by a significant (p=0.041) decrease by 24 hours post-castration and non-significant (p=0.101) fluctuations up to 72 hours post-castration in all castrated bucks. In conclusion, all the castration methods induced changes in serum concentration of SAA, which was less marked in Burdizzo and in-situ spermatic cord ligation compared to orchidectomy.

Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of Salmonella in chicken eggs from farms in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

2024-06-27T20:23:52+00:00

The research was a cross-sectional study conducted from June to December 2021 within Zaria metropolis which aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella isolated from chicken egg shells and their contents. A total of 240 egg samples were collected from farms that operated on either battery cages or deep litter-rearing systems. The samples were transported in ice packs to the Department of Veterinary Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria for laboratory procedures. Salmonella was isolated, identified and confirmed using standard techniques as outlined by the International Organization for Standardization while antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the disc diffusion method as described by Kirby-Bauer. Out of the 240 eggs sampled, 12 Salmonella isolates were confirmed positive by amplifying the genus-specific invA gene. A Salmonella prevalence of 4.6% was calculated to be from the egg shells while 0.4% prevalence was from the egg contents. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that there was resistance by Salmonella isolates to almost all the 14 antimicrobials used across 8 different classes of antibiotics except for Imipenem in which the isolates exhibited absolute susceptibility. A Fisher’s exact test was used to test the association between the variables. There was a significant association (P< 0.0059) between the difference in the prevalence of Salmonella on eggshell and egg content but there was no significant association (P>0.7689) between the battery cage and the deep litter systems of rearing. The study highlights the prevalence and the importance of continuous monitoring and surveillance for pathogenic Salmonellae.

Growth performance of three Nigerian breeds of sheep fed different types of hay

2024-06-27T20:23:57+00:00

It was hypothesised that hay type will affect feed intake and growth with significant interactions between breeds of sheep. Ten rams aged between 18 and 24 months and weighing 24.70, 25.50 and 24.75 each of Balami, Uda and Yankasa indigenous breeds of sheep in a complete randomised design with a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement were used. The rams were fed Brachiaria decumbens or Digitaria smutsii hay supplemented with concentrate at 1 % of their body weight. The trial lasted 90 days after 14 days adjustment period to the diets. Individual animal basal and supplementary concentrate feed intakes were recorded daily and liveweights were measured fortnightly. Data were analysed using SAS. Results of breed effect showed that Balami and Uda had significantly (P<0.05) higher values for most of the parameters measured while the effect of hay showed that rams fed Digitaria smutsii hay had significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake and weight gain than their counterparts fed Brachiaria decumbens hay. The interaction effect also revealed that Balami had significantly (P<0.05) higher weight gain and feed conversion ratio while Yankasa had the lowest (P>0.05). It is therefore concluded from this study that feeding D. smutsii hay to rams gave better results than feeding B. decumbens hay. Hence, it is recommended that feeding D. smutsii hay can be effectively used in a feedlot production system for growing rams during a 90-day feedlot period. Furthermore, the detected interaction effect of hay type level with breed permits working choices of improving the ability to grow rams.

Seroprevalence of infectious bronchitis in chickens in three south-western states of Nigeria

2024-06-27T20:37:00+00:00

Infectious Bronchitis (IB) is a viral respiratory disease of chickens that is associated with huge economic losses. This study was designed to investigate its seroprevalence in unvaccinated exotic and indigenous chickens in some States of South-western Nigeria. Sera samples (n=750) were obtained from unvaccinated, intensively reared, exotic chickens (n=450) and unvaccinated extensively reared indigenous chickens (n=300) from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States. The antibodies to the IB virus were detected in serum utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and an independent t-test were used to analyze the data. On average, 81.1% were seropositive to IB virus, distributed as 78.0%, 86.8%, and 78.4% in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo States, respectively. Seroprevalence was high in both exotic (82.4%) and indigenous (79.0%) chickens, while mean antibody titres were significantly higher in exotic (49.74 ± 2.50 and 43.25 ± 4.64) than in indigenous chickens (24.71 ± 2.02 and 31.85 ± 2.24) in Lagos and Oyo states, respectively. Indigenous chickens raised in south-western Nigeria are likely exposed to infectious bronchitis virus in the environment and the presence of the antibodies in these chickens is an indicator of the endemicity of the virus. This also identifies a possible role for indigenous chickens in the dissemination of the virus. There is a need for continuous surveillance, improved vaccination, and stricter biosecurity measures in poultry production for optimal control of infectious bronchitis in Nigeria.

Testicular pathology in albino rats administered graded doses of ethanol leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus

2024-06-27T20:52:39+00:00

Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemoprotective properties. This study investigated if increased doses of C. citratus ethanol extract can cause any serious adverse effect (gross, histological, hormonal, and/or inflammatory responses) on the testes of male albino rats. The sixty albino rats used in this study were randomly assigned into four groups of 15 each: 1/CENT each allowed free access to potable water, 2/CET2, 3/CET5, and 4/CET10 rats were each administered 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg b.w dose of C. citratus, respectively. At two-weeks intervals, the rats were examined for signs and lesions, serum samples were collected on days 0, 14 and 28 post-treatment and assayed for testosterone, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. On days 14 and 28 post treatment, gross and microscopic lesions were not observed in the testis of groups 2/CET2 and 3/CET5. Grossly, the testis of group 4/CET10 appeared reduced in size, with translucency of the visceral and parietal coats of the tunica vaginalis, while the histopathologic changes were degeneration of spermatogenic cells and fibrinous exudates expanding the intertubular spaces. Groups 2/CET2 and 3/CET5 testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of 4/CET10. These findings suggest that degeneration of spermatogenic cells and fibrinous exudates expanding the intertubular spaces, and decreased reproductive hormone levels are diagnostic features of C. citratus toxicity in male albino rats.

Evaluation of the anti-trypanosomal activity of Justicia secunda (Vahl) leaf in Trypanosoma brucei infected rats

2024-06-27T21:01:53+00:00

The use of plants in traditional medicine is increasingly gaining ground in modern medicine because phytochemical components of most secondary metabolites can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. The anti-trypanosomal effects of ethanolic extracts of Justicia secunda leaf were investigated in albino rats. Thirty albino rats were used for the study and they were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group I was uninfected untreated (control), group II was infected untreated, group III was infected and treated with diminazene aceturate (DA), while groups IV, V and VI were infected and treated with J. secunda at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weights, respectively. The parasite clearance time did not show any significant (p>0.05) difference in the extract-treated groups. However, relapse of infection occurred on day 28 post-treatment (PT) in 100mg/kg treated group and day 63 PT in 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated groups. The red cell parameters (PCV, Hb and RBC counts) were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the infected groups, but improved in the groups treated with 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg to a level comparable to the uninfected untreated (control). The mean total white cell counts (TWBC) count was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the infected untreated group. The extract-treated groups did not show any variation (p>0.05) and were comparable with the uninfected untreated control. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of J. secunda leaf exhibited dose-dependent anti-trypanosomal activity in T. brucei-infected rats and was able to ameliorate and conserve anaemia as shown in the improved haematological parameters and reduced risk of relapse.