No abstract

The fruit of Lagenaria breviflora R. was obtained and subjected to methanol extraction. The chemical compound in the extract was analyzed using a Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotomter (GC-MS). The screening of the fruit extract revealed important phytochemicals such as Phenols, Alkaloids Carotenoids and Flavonoids. The analysis of the GC-MS revealed that hydrocarbons as the most abundant compound in the extract and a total of 30 compounds were identified. The major components are octadecane (19.25%), hexacosane (10.9%), docosane (9.15%0, 2 methyl-E,E-3,13- octadecadienol (8.33%), heptadecane (8.18%), tricosane (4.36%), tridecane (3.71%), 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono (2-ethylhexyl) ester (3.63%), tetracontane, 3,5,24-trimethyl- (3.38) and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (2.64%). Some of the compounds obtained have been reported to have potentials for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of diseases in both man and animals.

This study investigated the in vitro efficacy of extracts of Mangifera indica and Azadirachta indica bark obtained by different extraction methods. Also, in an eight-week trial, the effect of these extracts on the performance of broiler chickens were evaluated. The barks were collected, air-dried and pulverized. The samples were extracted using maceration, infusion, and decoction methods. The extracts were screened for their activity against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus. Two hundred and eighty-eight birds were divided into two groups (144 each) administered with A. indica or M. indica. Each group was subdivided into four subgroups, including control subgroup (no herb) and subgroups administered with bark extracted by one of the three extraction methods. The birds on herbal treatments were not given antibiotics. Results showed that the growth of E. coli was more inhibited by the various extracts irrespective of the methods of extraction. Weights were significantly influenced by the interaction between herb types and extraction methods at the starter phase. Infused herbs induced mortality at the finisher phase. In conclusion, S. aureus was more susceptible to the extracts compared to E. coli. However, decocted A. indica and M. indica bark, as well as macerated M. indica, showed antimicrobial potency against E. coli. It can be recommended that neem or mango bark extracted by maceration or decoction can be administered orally to broiler chickens especially at the starter phase, for improved performance and reduced mortality.

The predominant increase in the price of feedstuffs and the consistent shift in climate have increased the cost of producing animal protein and an attendant increase in the search of available and valuable plant options in combating this problem. The study aimed to evaluate the nutritive value of ten identified water weeds (Polygonum lanigerum, Nymphaea lotus, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Ascroceras zizanioides, Ipomea aquatica, Panicum sulbabidum, Sacciolepis africana, Leersia hexandra, Heteranthera callifolia and Dicksonia antartica) via in vitro digestibility studies. The gas production was measured by incubating samples in buffered ruminal fluid from goats for 96hr. Cumulative gas production was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, 42, 45, 48, 51, 54, 57, 60, 66, 72, 84 and 96 hour of incubation periods and the organic matter digestibility (OMD), short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and metabolizable energy (ME) were also estimated. Results indicated that the total gas production varied significantly (P<0.05) at 24 and 48 hours incubation. Gas production ranged between 4.67 ml and 14.00 ml with least and highest obtained in Sacciolepis Africana and Ipomea aquatic, respectively. The Metabolizable energy (MJ/KgDM) recorded in all weeds differed (P<0.05) in all hours of incubation. Paspalum scrobiculatum and Dicksonia antartica recorded the least value at 24 and 48 hours incubation while Nymphaea lotus and Dicksonia antartica had the least value at 72 and 96 hours incubation. Heteranthera callifolia had the highest organic matter digestibility (%) while the least short chain fatty acid (μmol) was observed in Dicksonia antartica at 24, 48 and 96 hours incubation. Based on the results of this study, these plants had the potentials of being fed to livestock especially during the dry season when forage feeds are generally scarce.

Eighteen mature nulliparous rabbit does with initial body weight between 1600g-2500g were used to evaluate the effect of body weight at first mating on reproductive performance of rabbit does. These rabbits were assigned into three treatments, with T1, T2 and T3 weighing (1600-1900), (1901-2200) and (2201-2500) respectively. The study lasted for 5weeks. The does were mated with buck at ratio 1:3. The reproductive parameters evaluated were number of does that kindled, litter size at birth, breeding efficiency, litter size at weaning, pre-weaning loss. All data collected were subjected to descriptive statistical representation. The highest number of kindled does was 5 in T2 and T3; T1 had the lowest number (3). Breeding efficiency of 83.33% was recorded in T1 and T2 while T3 had 50.00%. T3 had highest average birth weight (49.51g) and T2 had the least (41.51g); litter size at birth and weaning ranged from 18 -28kits and 15-24kits, respectively. T2 does recorded highest value in both parameters, T3 does recorded same value (28kits) for litter size at birth. Highest pre-weaning loss of 7kits was recorded from does in T3 while T1 and T2 recorded 4kits. It was therefore concluded that does with weight range 1901g – 2200g had better reproductive performance with highest breeding efficiency and lower pre-weaning loss.