Mohammed Umar Kawu

Effect of Yeast Probiotic on Growth, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Malondialdehyde Concentration of Broiler Chickens.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of yeast probiotic on body weight, and the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of broiler chickens. The experiment was carried out on hybrid Hubbard broiler chickens (n = 200). Two-hundred day-old chicks were randomly selected and distributed into four groups of 50 day-old chicks each: Control, C, and treatment groups comprising T1, T2 and T3 administered with 0.25 mL, 0.5 mL and 1.0 mL yeast probiotic, respectively. Chicks were fed a commercial starter diet for the first 28 days of age, followed by pelleted finisher diet from 29 to 42 days. Chickens in T1 had a significantly (p < 0.01) higher body weight at 4th week of age when compared with the control. SOD activity in all treatment groups was not significantly (p > 0.05) different when compared with the control. GPx activity was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in T1, when compared with the control. GPx activity in T2 was higher (p < 0.01) when compared with the control. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in MDA level in all the treatment groups. In conclusion, administering yeast probiotic supplement increased body weight and enhanced serum anti-oxidant enzyme activities of broiler chickens.

Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on alterations in thyroid hormones concentrations induced by subchronic coadministration of chlorpyrifos and lead in wistar rats.

The present study evaluated the ameliorative effect of vitamin C on alteration in thyroid hormones induced by low-dose subchronic coadministration of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and lead (Pb). Forty Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. Groups I and II were administered soya oil (2 mL/kg) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg), respectively. Group III was coadministered CPF (4.25 mg/kg ~1/20th LD50) and Pb (250 mg/kg ~1/20th LD50), respectively. Group IV was pretreated with vitamin C (100 mg/kg) and then coadministered with CPF (4.25 mg/kg) and Pb (250 mg/kg), 30 min later. The regimens were administered by gavage for a period of 9 weeks. The marginal decrease in serum triiodothyronine and thyroxine and the significant increase in the concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone and malonaldehyde in the group coadministered with CPF and Pb were ameliorated by vitamin C partly due to its antioxidant properties.

Influence of seasonal changes on physiological variables, haematology and serum thyroid hormones profile in male Red Sokoto and Sahel goats

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of adult male Red Sokoto goats (n = 10; indigenous to the Guinea Savannah climate) and Sahel goats (n = 10; indigenous to the Sahel climate) at the peak of the cold-dry (CDS), hot-dry (HDS) and rainy seasons prevailing in the Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. Results revealed that Red Sokoto goats had significantly higher rectal temperature (RT), PCV, red blood cell (RBC), Hb, thyroxin (T4), but lower respiratory rate (RR) and total leucocyte count (TLC) than Sahel goats during the CDS. Comparison within breeds for the three seasons showed that both breeds exhibited the highest (P < .05) PR, RT, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (N:L), but lower mean corpuscular volume and triiodothyronine (T3) during the HDS. In addition, Red Sokoto goats showed higher (P < .05) RR and T4, but lower RBC, Hb, lymphocyte counts and T3:T4. However, Sahel goats exhibited higher (P < .05) PCV, RBC, erythrocyte osmotic fragility, but lower circulating T4. It was concluded that the cold and hot seasons exerted different physiological effects on the two breeds of goats with marked variation in RT, composition of blood cellular components, thyroid physiology and erythrocyte membrane integrity.

Effect of age, sex, physical activity and meteorological factors on haematological parameters of donkeys (Equus asinus)

The review examines the role of blood in homeostasis, diagnosis and treatment of disease as influenced by meteorological stress factors, age, sex and physical activity of the donkeys. Haematological parameters play a crucial role in clinical diagnosis of infectious and parasitic diseases, in assessing the responses of donkeys to treatment and in prevention of diseases. The changes in blood values are important in evaluating the responses of the animals to various physiologic conditions. In conclusion, haematological values of donkeys are largely influenced by age, sex, physical factors of the environment and physical activity, and consideration of the factors will aid accurate diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation of equine diseases.

Influence of season on daytime behavioral activities of donkeys in the Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria

ABSTRACT The present experiment was performed with the aim of investigating the effect of season on behavioral activities of donkeys during the rainy and harmattan seasons in the Northern Guinea zone of Nigeria. Sixteen apparently healthy donkeys were used as subjects and divided into four groups based on age. During each season, behavioral activities of each donkey were evaluated for three weeks using the focal animal sampling technique. The dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity (RH), and temperature-humidity index (THI) were obtained three times each day during the experimental period using standard procedures. In the rainy season, the mean DBT (31.65 ± 0.49°C), RH (73.63 ± 1.09%), and THI (84.39 ± 0.71) were significantly (P<0.0001) higher than the corresponding values of 24.00 ± 0.44°C, 36.80 ± 0.92%, and 64.80 ± 0.62 in the harmattan season. During the rainy season, the donkeys spent 60.00 ± 0.77%, 25.40 ± 0.69%, and 2.94 ± 0.21% on grazing, resting, and grooming, respectively. During the harmattan season, the donkeys spent the most time on grazing (76.76 ± 0.43%), less time on resting (11.97 ± 0.38%), and the least time on grooming (0.89 ± 0.05%). In conclusion, season and seasonal variations affect the daytime behavioral activities of donkeys in the zone, and this should be considered in husbandry practices for donkeys.

Cloacal temperature responses of broiler chickens administered with betaine and ascorbic acid during the hot-dry season

The experiment was performed to evaluate cloacal temperature (CT) responses in broiler chickens, administered with betaine and ascorbic acid (AA) during the hot–dry season. Broilers were divided into four groups: Group I (control) was given sterile water; Group II, betaine at 250 mg/kg; Group III, AA at 50 mg/kg and Group IV, betaine (250 mg/kg) + AA (50 mg/kg). The different solutions were given orally for 42 days. Dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature-humidity index (THI) in the pen, and CT of each broiler chicken were measured bihourly (06:00–18:00 h) on days 28, 35 and 42. DBT, RH and THI values were outside the thermo-neutral zone for broiler chickens. Results showed that AA lowered (p < 0.001) CT, while betaine + AA increased (p < 0.001) CT, compared with controls. In conclusion, betaine + AA or AA alone modulated CT responses of broiler chickens subjected to the thermal stress in the hot–dry season.

The effect of season and meteorological stress factors on behavioural responses and activities of donkeys (Equus asinus) – a review

Abstract The review examines the adaptation of donkeys to arid conditions, and the impact of meteorological stress on performance and welfare in donkeys. The impact of season, including meteorological and nutritional factors, on the behavioural responses and welfare of donkeys was also reviewed. Season influences the adaptation and behaviour of donkeys as they are subjected to uses, and the modulating role of feed availability on the grazing behaviour of donkeys was also examined. It is concluded that season, as influenced by meteorological stress conditions, modulates the behaviour, welfare and grazing of donkeys.

Behavioral and hematological responses of broiler chickens administered with betaine and ascorbic acid during hot-dry season

ABSTRACT Heat stress is a major problem in poultry production in tropical regions. Assessing the impact of thermally stressful environmental conditions on the welfare of broiler chickens is of great importance. Behavioral responses in a novel environment and hematology of broiler chickens administered with betaine and/or ascorbic acid (AA) during the hot-dry season were evaluated. Broiler chickens were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (control) was given sterile water, Group II was given betaine, Group III was given AA, and Group IV received betaine + AA orally and daily for 42 days. An open-field test was used to assess behavior. Hematological parameters were obtained using a hematology auto-analyzer. The natural environmental conditions were predominantly outside the thermoneutral zone for broiler chickens. Results demonstrated that treated groups exhibited improved ability to adjust faster to a new environment and better hematological responses than controls, evidenced by enhanced behavioral responses, oxygen-carrying capacity, and immune responses of broiler chickens under unfavorable environmental conditions. Betaine and/or AA administration to broiler chickens improved some behavioral responses, hemoglobin concentrations, packed cell volume, and total leukocyte count during the hot-dry season.

Ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid administration to broiler chickens during the hot-dry season in Zaria: A review

This review highlights the huge challenges heat stress pose to profitable production of broiler chickens during the hot-dry season. It also enumerates the negative effects of heat stress due to excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in broiler chickens. It emphasizes that administration of betaine and/or ascorbic acid is highly beneficial to broiler chickens, subjected to high ambient temperature and high relative humidity, characteristic of hot-dry season in the Northern Guinea Savannah zone of Nigeria. In conclusion, supplementation of betaine and ascorbic acid to broiler chickens during the hot-dry season may improve health and production, decrease mortality and increase their productivity. Keywords: Broiler chickens, lipid peroxidation, betaine, ascorbic acid African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(23) 2295-2306

Ameliorative effects of betaine and ascorbic acid on erythrocyte osmotic fragility and malondialdehyde concentrations in broiler chickens during the hot-dry season

ABSTRACT The study evaluated the effect of betaine and ascorbic acid (AA) administration on the erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of broiler chickens during the hot-dry season. Eighty day-old broilers were divided into four groups: Group I (control) given sterile water; Group II, betaine (250 mg/kg); Group III, AA (50 mg/kg); and Group IV, betaine (250 mg/kg) + AA (50 mg/kg) orally for 42 days. Blood samples were collected from each bird with and without anticoagulant, sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, on days 21 and 42, for the determination of EOF and serum MDA concentrations. The dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity and temperature-humidity index (THI) recorded were 28.33–35.67°C, 69.00–93.00% and 28.18–34.82, respectively. The results showed that betaine + AA (7.78 ± 1.66%) significantly (P < .05) reduced EOF, compared to control birds (16.27 ± 9.35%) at 0.7% on day 21. MDA concentrations of broiler chickens in the betaine (1.37 ± 0.038 nmol/L), AA (1.41 ± 0.039 nmol/L) and betaine + AA (1.41 ± 0.040 nmol/L) groups during the experimental period were significantly (P < .05) lower when compared with that of the control group (1.54 ± 0.043 nmol/L). It is concluded that the co-administration of betaine and AA to broiler chickens decreased EOF and MDA during the hot-dry season.