Animal Production and Health Sciences

The major limiting factor to the utilisation of loofah gourd seeds (LGS) as food is its high content of anti-nutrient. Heat processing is one of the process of reducing the concentration of anti-nutrients in food resources which may adversely influence the amino acids contents of such resources. Raw seeds of loofah gourds (RLGS) were toasted (TLGS), boiled (BLGS) and cooked (CGLS) and analysed for the amino acids content. The amino acids score, the essential amino acids score and the predicted (P-PER) of the raw and heat treated RLGS were calculated using standard equations. Results revealed that heat treatment significantly reduced (P<0.05) the essential amino acids, total sulphur containing amino acids and total basic amino acids while significantly (P<0.05) increasing the total amino acids, and total non-essential amino acids. cysteine is the most reduced amino acids and toasting had the highest reduction effect on the amino acids. P-PER of LGS were significantly enhanced b...

The competition for food and feed arising from scarcity of conventional livestock feedstuff has resulted into search for novel feedstuff that is currently not being utilized as food by man. Thus, the present study was carried out to evaluate the nutritional potential of thermally processed loofah gourds seed in rats was evaluated in a 21-day completely randomized design feeding trials. Forty-eight Wistar strain male albino rats of 46.57±0.55g were allotted to four dietary treatments (T1–raw, T2–boiled, T3–cooked and T4–toasted) loofah gourd seed meal (LGSM) with three replicates each. Data collected included feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass characteristics. Haematological and serological variables were determined using standard laboratory procedures. Results revealed that thermal processing significantly (P<0.05) reduced FI by 9–13%. Rats fed toasted LGSM had significantly (P<0.05) highest (7.55) weight gain and best (2.31) FCR while ...

small holder farmers enjoy in rearing small ruminants however, there are paucity of information on the morphometric traits and semen characteristics of Nigeria breeds of sheep in Ikorodu. Therefore, the effects of breeds on body measurements and semen quality of four sheep breeds in Nigeria were assessed. Twenty matured rams aged 2½ years and weighed 31.13±4.8 kg comprising five rams per breed namely: Balami (BAL), Ouda (UD), Yankasa (YAK) and West African Dwarf (WAD) were used for the study. Body measurements and semen quality of each ram was assessed for a period of six weeks after the four weeks of acclimatization. Live body weights (LBW), scrotal circumference (SC), height at wither (HtW), rump length (RpL) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated for body parameters. Semen samples were collected using electro-ejaculation method and evaluated for semen volume (SV), progressive sperm motility (PSM), sperm concentration (SC), normal sperm morphology (NSM), sperm livability (SL),...

small holder farmers enjoy in rearing small ruminants however, there are paucity of information on the morphometric traits and semen characteristics of Nigeria breeds of sheep in Ikorodu. Therefore, the effects of breeds on body measurements and semen quality of four sheep breeds in Nigeria were assessed. Twenty matured rams aged 2½ years and weighed 31.13±4.8 kg comprising five rams per breed namely: Balami (BAL), Ouda (UD), Yankasa (YAK) and West African Dwarf (WAD) were used for the study. Body measurements and semen quality of each ram was assessed for a period of six weeks after the four weeks of acclimatization. Live body weights (LBW), scrotal circumference (SC), height at wither (HtW), rump length (RpL) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated for body parameters. Semen samples were collected using electro-ejaculation method and evaluated for semen volume (SV), progressive sperm motility (PSM), sperm concentration (SC), normal sperm morphology (NSM), sperm livability (SL),...

The major limiting factor to the utilisation of loofah gourd seeds (LGS) as food is its high content of anti-nutrient. Heat processing is one of the process of reducing the concentration of anti-nutrients in food resources which may adversely influence the amino acids contents of such resources. Raw seeds of loofah gourds (RLGS) were toasted (TLGS), boiled (BLGS) and cooked (CGLS) and analysed for the amino acids content. The amino acids score, the essential amino acids score and the predicted (P-PER) of the raw and heat treated RLGS were calculated using standard equations. Results revealed that heat treatment significantly reduced (P<0.05) the essential amino acids, total sulphur containing amino acids and total basic amino acids while significantly (P<0.05) increasing the total amino acids, and total non-essential amino acids. cysteine is the most reduced amino acids and toasting had the highest reduction effect on the amino acids. P-PER of LGS were significantly enhanced b...

The role of the environment in the survivability of an animal is paramount and blood profiles are part of the indices for measuring the health status. Therefore, a study was carried out to determine the blood profile of prominent indigenous breed of sheep (Ram) viz: West African Dwarf, Yankasa, Balami and Ouda breeds reared in Ikorodu Local Government. A total of 20 rams were used comprising of five rams per breed, with average age of 2½ years weighing 31.13±4.8 kg. Blood samples were carefully collected from the rams into labeled sterile bottles containing EDTA for haematological examination and another set of bottles containing Lithium Heparin was used to collect blood for the serum biochemical analysis. Haematological parameter assessed were Packed Cell Volume (PCV), White Blood Cell (WBC), Red Blood Cell (RBC), while the biochemical parameters investigated were Total protein (Tp), Albumin, Glucose, Creatine Cholesterol, and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). PCV was significantly (p&lt...

The study was carried out to determine the growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings cultured in the circular plastic ponds and fed diets containing varying level of cassava dough (fufu) kitchen waste at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% levels of inclusion. Two hundred and twenty-five fingerlings were randomly distributed into five treatments, which were replicated thrice-using completely randomize design. While the diet with 0% serves as a control. Clarias gariepinus with average initial weight of 10 g were stocked at the rate of 15 fishes per replicates. The result shows that there were no significant different among the treatment as compared with mean weight gained, feed intake, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and feed conversion ratio. Clarias gariepinus fingerlings fed with 2.5% level of inclusion of cassava dough kitchen waste had the highest weight gained with the value of 11.66 g, followed by treatments 1, 4, 3 and 5, respectively. The result shows that the...

An experiment was conducted to investigate the implications of fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ), a toxic metabolite of Fusarium verticillioides consumed by farm animals, on reproductive organs and semen quality indices of breeder cocks in a sixteen-week feeding trial. Sixty pre-pubertal breeder cocks of about 16 weeks of age were randomly assigned to four diets containing 0.2, 5.2, 10.2 and 15.2 mg FB 1 /kg constituting diets 1,2,3 and 4 respectively. At puberty, semen samples were collected from the cocks for three weeks and evaluated. Subsequently, the cocks were killed by decapitation, their reproductive systems carefully removed, weighed and recorded. The absolute and relative weights of the testes, epididymides and tunica albuginea of the cocks were not significantly(p>0.05) influenced by the dietary FB 1 levels. However, the weights of the left parts of these organs were apparently heavier than those on the right side. The spermatozoa progressive motility, live spermatozoa, motile sperm per ejaculate and mass activity of the semen were significantly(p<0.05) depressed as the dietary FB 1 levels increased. Dietary FB 1 did not significantly influence the ejaculate volume, spermatozoa concentration and total spermatozoa output. The live spermatozoa of cocks fed diets 2,3 and 4 were 90.10, 88.57 and 87.25% of those fed the control diet(1) respectively. The mass activity ranged from very turbulent motion for the cocks on control diet to slow motion for those on diet 4. This study revealed that exposure of cocks to be used for breeding purpose to dietary FB 1 higher than 10.2ppm will impair the fertility capacity of their semen.

The effects of sex and housing on live body weight and carcass characteristics of Coturnix quails were examined in this study. Two hundred day-old quails purchased from local hatcheries were separated according to sexes at three weeks old and also divided into cage and deep litter systems. At the end of the 10 week trial, five birds from each sexes and housing were slaughtered, the carcasses were processed and the carcass weight, slaughter weight, dressed weight and other carcass parts were measured. Results showed that the female quail had higher and superior mean values in live body weight and carcass measurements. In addition, females recorded higher weight in edible giblets. With regard to housing system, cage and deep litter did not differ significantly in live body weight and other carcass parts. This implies that both systems of housing are good for rearing quail birds and either could be adopted for profitable and efficient quail meat production. It is suggested that more female quails be raised and produced in large commercial quantities to mitigate the effects of malnutrition prevalent in developing countries as a result of animal protein deficiencies.

A total number of two hundred day-old quails of mixed sexes were assessed for body weight, wing length, thigh length and breast girth from 3rd week to the 10th week of age. Analyzed data showed that there was highly significant (P<0.01) house x sex interaction effects on live body weight. This means that body weight is house and sex dependent. Male and female birds reared inside the cage were superior in terms of body weight to those on deep litter. Generally, the rate of growth from 3rd-7th week was higher across both housing systems and sexes, but decreased after 7th week of age. In the same vein, There was highly significant (P<0.01) house x sex interaction effects on wing length, thigh length and breast girth of quail birds. It infers that these growth traits are house and sex dependent. Male and female birds reared inside the cage were superior in terms of body weight and other growth traits to those on deep litter. Since cage birds were restricted, they were able to utilize feeds given optimally leading to increase in muscle cells and body size. In essence, cage system of rearing produced more quail meat than deep litter, and should be considered for increased productivity and animal proteins supply.

The effect of strain and different levels of quantitative feed restriction for short time (28d) on egg production, feed consumption and efficiency, mortality and egg quality traits were evaluated during late phase of egg laying. A total number of 90 layers aged 54 weeks old, comprising 45 birds each of Isa Brown (brown plumage) and Bovan Black (black plumage) were randomly distributed into three treatment groups having three replicates each. They were placed under three feeding regimens namely, T 1 (ad libitum-control), T 2 (90% ad libitum) and T 3 (80% ad libitum). Data collected include egg production, mortality, feed variables, external and internal egg quality characteristics. The results revealed that strain has insignificant (P>0.05) effect on egg numbers during the 28 days trial regardless of treatments imposed. This means that feed restriction on short-term has no negative impact on both the brown and black feathered layer birds productivity. However, feed restriction has significant (P<0.01) effect on both egg numbers and hen-day egg production regardless of strain of birds. Regarding the two traits, ad libitum (control) and 90% ad libitum had similar mean values, but higher than 80% ad libitum. As per feed efficiency, brown strain has higher (P<0.01) mean values than the black strain. The two strains subjected to feed restriction recorded similar mean values and performed equally well in egg weight, egg length and other external and internal egg qualities. However, in albumen height and Haugh unit (HU), brown birds had higher (P<0.01) mean values than black hens. Haugh unit is a measure of internal egg quality. The highest net revenue/hen and economic efficiency was recorded in 90% ad libitum ($1.19, 112.26), intermediate ($1.06, 100) in ad libitum and lowest (1.10, 95.28) in 80% ad libitum. Brown strain achieved higher (P<0.01) economic efficiency (100 vs 88.54) and net revenue ($0.96 vs $0.85) per hen than black strain at the end of the experimental period. There was significant strain x treatment interaction effect on egg number, percent egg production and feed variables. Brown feathered birds and adoption of milder feed restriction seem to hold prospect for increased production, profit and sustainability of egg producing industry.

The present study was conducted to determine the external and internal egg quality of Isa Brown (Gallus gallus domesticus) chicken and Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) as affected by storage time under room temperature in the hot weather conditions of Nigeria. Parameters evaluated included egg weight, albumen and yolk indices. For each species, a total number of twenty freshly laid eggs was collected and divided into five groups representing different days of storage (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days). Storage temperature and relative humidity respectively, are 28.3ºC and 75%. Analyzed results showed that storage time significantly affected egg weight, but has no effect on egg length and width in the two species. Egg weight at day 0 and 7 were higher and superior to 14, 21 and 28 days. Shell thickness in this study had significant decrease in values from day 0 to 28. The decline in this trait due to prolonged storage time was probably due to loss of water as a result of evaporation from internal egg which caused loss of viscosity. With regard to albumen indices, there was a decrease in the values of albumen weight and others with increasing age of eggs in store. Pertaining to internal egg quality, Haugh unit score which measures the freshness and quality of an egg equally recorded a gradual decline from day 0 to 14, while the values fell below standard from day 14. This implies that chicken and quail eggs are not fit for human consumption after 14 days in the hot environment unless stored in refrigerator. Yolk indices such as yolk width and height decreased with advancing age of eggs in the store. But the reverse was the case for yolk weight and ratio which recorded higher values as storage time progressed. As indicated in this study, chicken and quail eggs should not be held under room temperature for more than 14 days during hot season to maintain its freshness and quality.

The aim of the present investigation was to rank the performance of three exotic strains of commercial broilers as influenced by feed restriction in terms of carcass and meat quality characteristics. It is believed that breeds of animals differ in their response to whatever treatment applied. The strains of broiler birds under investigation are Arbor Acre, Hubbard and Marshall. Analyzed results showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) strain by feed restriction interaction effect on live weight and slaughter weight of broiler chickens. However, there was significant (p<0.01) strain by feed restriction interaction effect on dressed, eviscerated, back and breast weight. This implies that the expression of these traits depended on strain by treatment interaction. Furthermore, the result revealed that there was no significant (p>0.05) strain by feed restriction interaction effect on aroma, colour, tenderness, juiciness and saltiness. This implies that the expression of these traits as affected by strain and treatment is mutually exclusive and not by joint action. But, there was significant (p<0.01) strain by feed restriction interaction effect on flavor and meat texture. Arbor Acre and second week feed restriction recorded superior mean values in most cases of interaction effect, and therefore could be proposed to farmers for increased poultry meat production and profit.

The effects of sex and housing on live body weight and carcass characteristics of Coturnix quails were examined in this study. Two hundred day-old quails purchased from local hatcheries were separated according to sexes at three weeks old and also divided into cage and deep litter systems. At the end of the 10 week trial, five birds from each sexes and housing were slaughtered, the carcasses were processed and the carcass weight, slaughter weight, dressed weight and other carcass parts were measured. Results showed that the female quail had higher and superior mean values in live body weight and carcass measurements. In addition, females recorded higher weight in edible giblets. With regard to housing system, cage and deep litter did not differ significantly in live body weight and other carcass parts. This implies that both systems of housing are good for rearing quail birds and either could be adopted for profitable and efficient quail meat production. It is suggested that more fe...