Victor Olusegun Sinkalu

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.

Effects of melatonin on cloacal temperature and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in layer hens during the hot-dry season

Experiments were conducted with the aim of determining effects of melatonin on fluctuations in cloacal temperature (CT) and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) of layer hens. The CT of 14 melatonin-treated and 12 control laying hens were taken for 2 days, 1 week apart, at 06:00 h, 14:00 h and 18:00 h, using a standard digital thermometer inserted into the cloaca. The control birds were given water only, while the treated layers were individually administered at 18:00 h with melatonin orally. On day 12 of the administration, venous blood samples were collected from the layer hens to determine EOF. The overall mean CT values in melatonin-treated and control birds were 41.0 ± 0.05°C and 40.9 ± 0.04°C, respectively (P < 0.05). CT of the melatonin-treated group was lowest at 06:00 h (40.9 ± 0.10°C), but highest at 18:00 h (41.2 ± 0.05°C; P < 0.05). At 0.1%, EOF of 62.01 ± 3.75% obtained in melatonin-treated layer hens was lower (P < 0.001) than the corresponding value of 73.86 ± 2.59%, recorded in control layer hens. In conclusion, melatonin administration to layer hens sustained thermal homeostasis and decreased EOF in layer hens during the hot-dry season.

Influence of co-administration of vitamins A and E on diurnal variation in rectal temperature of Black Harco pullets during the hot-dry season

Experiments were performed with the aim of determining the influence of vitamins A and E on the fluctuations in rectal temperature (RT) of Black Harco pullets during the hot-dry season. The RT of 29 experimental and 20 control pullets were measured every hour from 06:00 to 19:00 hours for three days. The experimental pullets were administered vitamins A and E orally at 1200 IU/kg and 30 mg/kg, respectively. The control pullets were given water only. The lowest hourly RT of 41.03 ± 0.03°C was obtained in experimental pullets at 06:00 h, while the highest value of 41.23 ± 0.04°C was recorded at 18:00 h (P < 0.001). In control pullets, the RT rose significantly from 41.00 ± 0.04°C at 06:00 h to a maximum value of 41.61 ± 0.04°C at 15:00 h (P < 0.001). It is concluded that vitamins A and E decreased the thermally stressful effect of the hot-dry season, and may enhance the productivity and health of pullets during the season.

Cloacal Temperature Responses and Some performance Indices in Black Harco Pullets Administered with Betamint during the Hot-Dry Season

The experiment was performed with the aim of determining fluctuations in cloacal temperature (CT) of Black Harco pullets, and effects of betamint® on the fluctuations and some performance indicesof the pullets during the hot-dry season. Twenty-five experimental pullets were each administered with betamint orally at a dose of 1 ml/kg daily, while 25 other control pullets were given only water for 21 days. The dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity inside the pen and CT of each pullet were recorded every two hours (from 06:00 h to 18:00 h) on days 7, 14 and 21. CT values in experimental and control pullets (41.63 ± 0.10°C and 41.64 ± 0.13°C, respectively) did not differ, but betamint reduced (P<0.05) CT values in the pullets from 12:00 h and 14:00 h. Water consumption in experimental (4.26%) pullets was lower than that of the control (23.63%) pullets. An increase in live weight gain (15%) and feed consumption (45.91%) was obtained in experimental pullets over that of the control pullets (P < 0.01). In conclusion, betamint administration alleviated the risk of adverse effects of heat stress and improved live weight gain in pullets.

Diurnal, seasonal, and sex patterns of heart rate in grip‐restrained African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse)

This study was carried out to determine heart rate (HR) values, including diurnal, seasonal, and sex patterns, in the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse). HR was measured using stethoscope in grip‐restrained African giant rats of either sex (103 bucks and 98 does), live‐trapped from a tropical Savannah, and caged individually in the laboratory during the harmattan (cold‐dry), hot‐dry, and rainy seasons over a 3‐year period. The HR fluctuated between 90 and 210 beats per minute (bpm) throughout the study period. Diurnal changes in HR (mean ± SEM) during the hot‐dry and rainy seasons were nonsignificant (P > 0.05), but the morning and afternoon values differed (P < 0.01) during the cold‐dry season. The HR varied (P < 0.05) among seasons, with peak, nadir, and moderate values recorded during the cold‐dry (165.8 ± 0.51 bpm), hot‐dry (153.1 ± 0.74 bpm), and rainy (163.4 ± 0.70 bpm) seasons, respectively. Mean HR of bucks was lower than that of does during the cold‐dry (P < 0.0001) and hot‐dry (P < 0.01) seasons, but sex difference during the rainy season was insignificant (P > 0.05). Overall, mean HR was lower (P < 0.0001) in bucks (158.8 ± 0.53 bpm) than in does (164.8 ± 0.53 bpm). In conclusion, values of HR in African giant rats are shown for the first time. Season, sex, and daytime influenced the HR, and should be considered during clinical evaluations of the rats.

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

Alteration of Neurobehavioural Activities by Carbamazepine, Phenytoin and Their Combination in Wistar Rats: A Mini Review -

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been used for centuries in the treatment of seizures in both humans and animals. There are different varieties of AEDs to choose from, the choice of an AED is determined by the seizure type, effectiveness of the drug in controlling seizure, cost and the side effects of the drug used. Epilepsy therapy could be monotherapy, that is, the use of an appropriate AED or polytherapy in which case, two AEDs are combined particularly in the case of refractory epilepsy. The side effects of AEDs are diverse and affect virtually all the systems of the body. This review is aimed at studying the side effects associated with the administration of carbamazepine, phenytoin and their combination on learning, memory, locomotion and rearing activities in Wistar rats. Generally, the side effects of AEDs observed are not so detrimental because the discontinuation of the drugs usually cause a reverse of the effects observed. For this review, available informations on the effects of antiepileptic drugs on neurobehavioural activities were accessed from electronic databases.