Response of microminerals in serum of sheep infected with Trypanosoma congolense

Twenty (20) Yankassa sheep ages between 12-18 months were infected with fresh stock of Trypanosoma congolense isolated from a cow. Animals were grouped into three; groups A and B were infected while group C served as uninfected controls. Samples between the infected and the uninfectedcontrols showed a high significant levels of calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) (P 0.05). Generally, values of the contemporaneously uninfected sheep were significantly lower for calcium andiron and higher for phosphorus and copper. Therefore, the increase in concentrations of calcium, iron and phosphorus may suggest that they could have a role in the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis due to T. congolens

Characteristics of Reproductive Tracts of Repeat Breeders in Cattle

The study observed the characteristics and assessed abnormalities in reproductive tracts of repeat breeders in cattle. Fourty (40) herds were sampled during the study and fifty seven (57) repeat breeders were identified. The animals had normal reproductive tracts with good body condition scores (BCS) ranging from 2.5- 4.5. There was no correlation between the ages and the body condition scores of the repeat breeders (r = -0.4576. Higher number of repeat breeders were found within the ages of 3 -6. Variation within the ages of the repeat breeders were not significantly associated. Physical and behavioral characteristics observed were: crystal clear eyes; appearing more like a castrated bull; physically strong; active; vibrant; alert; stubborn; wild; temperamental; aggressive and difficult to handle; very sensitive to their environment and have a quick idea of the presence of a stranger which they show by having their ears in erect disposition signaling a sign of insecurity and danger. They always appear as superior animals in the herds; and could even be used as draught or pack animals with a very good output. They could yield better meat compared to none repeat breeders in the herds. Thus, most repeat breeders are not sterile, have normal oestrus cycle every 18-24 days but rather suffer from lowered fertility resulting to huge economic waste due to more services; reduced milk yield; wide calving interval and culling rate. It was concluded that repeat breeders suffer from lowered fertility which results into reduced milk yield, wide calving interval and culling rate.  Keywords: characteristics, reproductive tracts, repeat breeders, cattle, body conformatio

Some reproductive disorders of the indigenous sheep and goats in Zaria, Northern Nigeria

No Abstract

Incidence of Repeat Breeding Syndrome in Cattle from Four Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Repeat breeding syndrome is a multi-factorial condition, which has become a major source of economic waste in the cattle industry due to the need for more inseminations or services, increased calving interval, reduced milk production and increased culling rates. The study investigated the incidence of repeat breeding syndrome in cattle and determined the progesterone profile of repeat breeders in four Local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. One hundred herds were sampled during the study and fifty-seven repeat breeders were identified. The proportions of repeat breeding syndrome within the four Local Government Areas were given as 1.59, 1.28, 1.49, and 1.71% for Girei, Yola North, Yola South, and Fufore respectively. The overall incidence was 6.08%. Seven of the repeat breeders were pregnant, ten cyclic and forty non–cyclic. There was no significant variation in the progesterone profile of the non-cyclic repeat breeders during weeks 1 and 2 (p>0.05) and 2 and 3 (p>0.05). However, there was significant variation during weeks 1 and 3 (p<0.05). The progesterone concentration of the pregnant repeat breeders was not significantly varied during weeks 1 and 2 (p>0.05), varied significantly within the weeks 1 and 3, at 51.5±0.8944 and 50.2±0.089ng/l (p<0.01) respectively and 2 and 3 (p<0.014). The progesterone levels of the cyclic animals were extremely varied within weeks 1 and 2 (p<0.001); 1 and 3 (p<0.001) and 2 and 3 (p<0.001)

Ethno-veterinary practices: the perception among the Fulani cattle rearers in Adamawa State, Nigeria

One hundred homesteads in ten sedentary villages situated north of the State capital were selected because of high density of livestock and used for this study. Questionnaire was used to obtain data on production constraints and types of husbandry practices. The predominant husbandry system is extensive constituting (53.06%). Production constraints in order of importance are diseases (59.0%); feed (37.0%) and theft, (4%). Diseases that affect animals are FMD (36.0%); Helminthosis (31.0%); Pneumonia (10.0%); Dermatophilosis (8.0%); whilst Foot rot and Trypanosomiasis accounted for 5.0% each, with abortion and Blackquarter having 3.0% and 2.0% respectively. Most homesteads (64.28%) treat the animals using their knowledge of ethnoveterinary medicine whilst 15.31% call for veterinary services (orthodox medicine) and 20.41% combine ethnoveterianry and orthodox medicine. Ethnoveterianry and orthodox practices have existed for long together in the treatment of animal ailments, but the basis for which some of the practices are employed might not be explained, it simply works. Though there are limitations, these may be the reasons why orthodox medicine practices are sought

The response of serum manganese in Trypanosoma congolense infection in Yankasa sheep

No Abstract

Effect of Trypanosoma congolense infection on serum cobalt level in Yankassa sheep

Eighteen (18) Yankassa sheep divided into three groups (A, B and C) of 6 animals each. Groups A and B animals were infected with 2ml x105 Trypanosoma congolense; group A was treated with Berenil® (Hoechst AG, Frankfurt, Germany) at first peak of parasitaemia, while group B animals were left untreated. Blood samples were taken once a week before infection and thereafter twice a week but for parasitaemic determination, it was done daily from the tip of the ears. In all groups, Cobalt (Co) was determined by the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (UNICAM SOLAAR 32). The mean concentrations of Co fluctuated in the course of the experiment with slight decrease in the infected groups, but there was no significant difference (P>0.6553) with those of the control. This indicates that trypanosomosis in Yankassa sheep due to T. congolense has no effect on serum cobalt

Changes in the serum profiles of lipids and cholesterol in sheep experimental model of acute African trypanosomosis

In an effort to further elucidate the possible effect of trypanosome infection on serum levels of some lipids and cholesterol, five sheep (the infected group) were each intravenously inoculated with 2 ml ofblood containing 1 x 106 Trypanosoma congolense organisms. Another five uninfected sheep served as control group. Blood samples were collected from all the animals every other day from the day ofinfection (day 0) up to the termination of the experiment. The samples were used for haematological and parasitological analyses and determination of serum concentrations of total cholesterol,triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) and low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-cholesterol). All animals in the infected group showed parasitaemia by day 11 postinfection(PI) and the infection caused a gradual decline in the values of packed cell volume (PCV) and those of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. Values of all theseparameters in the control group remained fairly normal, relative to the pre-infection ones on day 0, throughout the experimental period. The PI mean values of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDLcholesteroland LDL-cholesterol, measured in mmol/l, in the infected group were 3.44 ± 0.71, 1.62 ± 0.40, 0.78 ± 0.20 and 1.92 ± 0.40, respectively, while those in the control group were 4.32 ± 0.18, 2.24 ± 0.11,1.15 ± 0.10 and 2.26 ± 0.30, respectively. The differences between the PI mean values in the two groups of animals were significant (