This study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with molecular or nano-clay binders on biochemical and histopathological examination of organs of turkeys fed diets contaminated with aflatoxin B Two hundred and sixteen unsexed 1-day-old British United Turkeys were randomly allotted to nine diets in a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement of diets supplemented with no toxin binder, molecular toxin binder (MTB) and nano-clay toxin binder, each contaminated with 0, 60 and 110 ppb aflatoxin B respectively. There were three replicates per treatment with eight turkeys per replicate. Biochemical analyses, organ weights and histopathological changes of some organs were examined at the end of the study which lasted for 84 days. Turkeys fed diets supplemented with molecular and nano-binders showed higher (p < 0.001) total serum protein, reduced (p < 0.001) serum uric acid and GGT concentration values when compared with those fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets supplemented with no binder. Turkeys fed aflatoxin-contaminated diets supplemented with no binder had increased (p < 0.001) AST and ALT concentration when compared with other treatments. The heaviest (p < 0.001) liver and intestinal weight was noticed with turkeys fed diets supplemented with no binder and contaminated with 110 ppb aflatoxin B . Pathologically, there was no visible morphological alteration noticed in all turkeys fed uncontaminated diets and nano-clay-supplemented group. Hepatic paleness, hepatomegaly and yellowish discolouration of the liver were observed with turkeys fed diets containing no binder but contaminated with 60 and 110 ppb aflatoxin B1. Intestinal histopathological changes such as goblet cell hyperplasia, villous atrophy and diffuse lymphocytic enteritis were more prominent in turkeys fed diets containing no toxin binder and MTB. In conclusion, there were improved biochemical parameters and reduced deleterious effects of aflatoxin B in turkeys fed diet supplemented with clay binders. However, the improvement was more conspicuous in the nano-clay-supplemented group than molecular clay group.

Aim:The study determined the effect of ascorbic acid (administered orally and intramuscularly) in short-term transportation stress.Materials and Methods:Twenty-four apparently healthy Kalahari goats were grouped into four groups (A, B, C, and D) of 6 animals each: Group A - untreated and unexposed to stress; Group B - treated with 200 mg/kg Vitamin C orally and exposed to 2 h transportation stress; Group C - treated with Vitamin C 200 mg/kg intramuscularly and exposed to 2 h transportation stress; and Group D - untreated and exposed to 2 h transportation stress. The animals were stocked using standards stipulated by the Nigerian Animal Disease Control Act and transported at 40 km/h. Cortisol and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assayed using quantitative sandwich ELISA. Classical stress hematological parameters and antioxidative stress markers such as glutathione s-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde were determined. Heart rate variability (HRV) was also assessed.Results:The route of ascorbic acid administration did not influence the expression of IL-6, and changes in cortisol surge, antioxidative stress markers, and other hematological parameters in Kalahari goats though Group C goats showed higher HRV values (p<0.05) than others. This gives credence to the enhanced cardiac responsiveness and stress survivability in Kalahari goats.Conclusion:Both routes could be used in the administration of ascorbic acid. Kalahari goats exposed to short-term stress; however, the intramuscular route had better heart variability and thus improved the survivability of the animals.

Trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research farm, UNAAB in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the effect of undersowing Lablab (Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai)in maize on grain yield, and to evaluate the nutritive quality of the silage in the dry season using calves.A 2ha piece of land was used for the experiment. In both years, maize was undersown with Lablab two weeks after planting (WAP)the maize. At harvest (10WAP), fresh weights and number of cobs, shelling percentage and weight of 1000grains of maize were determined. Silages of sole maize and maize-lablab in ratio 70:30 were made at harvest in plastic bags. After 4months of conservation, twelve cross-bred (White Fulani x N’dama) calves weighing 71-72kg were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: grazing + sole maize silage, grazing + maize-lablab silage and Unsupplemented grazing as control for 84days. A seven day trial was also conducted to find out the digestibility and utilization of the maize – lablab and sole maize silage fed to cross-bred calves as supplement in the dry season.Undersowing increased grain yield in the subsequent year. Nitrogen retention was higher (P<0.05) in Maize-lablab and lower in natural pasture. Calves supplemented with maize-lablab silage (70:30) had the highest (P < 0.05) metabolic weight gain (50.03g/kgW0.75) while calves without supplementation had the lowest gain (42.76g/kgW0.75). It was concluded that maize- Lablab silage (70:30) could be used as supplements to enhance the growth and survival of calves during the dry season.Keywords: undersowing, maize-lablab, silage, calves, supplementation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Morinda lucida leaf meal (MLLM) on the haematology, biochemical and organ changes of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-eight day-old Marshall broiler chicks were completely randomised into 6 treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of three levels of M. lucida leaf meal supplementation (0, 0.1 and 0.2 g/kg) with or without medication. The treatment consisted of both negative (without MLLM and routine medication) and positive (containing no MLLM but with routine medication) control groups while each treatment was replicated thrice. MLLM-supplemented diets and routine medication decreased (p < 0.05) the white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Dietary supplementation with MLLM in combination with normal routine medication increased (p < 0.05) total serum protein when compared with treatment group without MLLM and routine medication. Dietary supplementation with MLLM and routine medication reduced (p < 0.05) serum creatinine concentration of the broiler chickens. Birds fed with 0.2 g/kg MLLM supplement coupled with medication and those on negative control had higher (p < 0.05) creatinine values. Serum enzyme activities reduced (p < 0.05) following supplementation. MLLM supplementation recorded no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the liver, kidney, heart and gizzard. M. lucida leaf meal can be compared to routine medication for improved health status of broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion with 0.1 g/kg MLML combined with routine medication could be used in producing healthy and safe chickens.

An epidemiological survey of haemoparasitic infection in trade cattle was carried out at Lafenwa abattoir, Abeokuta, from August to November 2008. Thin Blood film and Haematocrit Centrifugation Techniques were used to detect haemoparasites. A total of 452 cattle that comprised 174 cows and 278 bulls were examined. The breeds included 78 'Red Bororo', 14 'Sokoto Gudali' and 360 'White Fulani'. Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin concentration (Hb), total white blood cell (WBC) count and differential counts of WBC, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were measured. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat statistical software, with sex and breed and blood parasite species detected as factors. Results showed that 22% of the cattle were infected with haemoparasites while 78% were parasite-free. The parasites were Trypanosoma congolence (4%), Anaplasma central (2%), Babesia bovis (14%), A. centrale + B. bovis (1%) and Babesia divergens (1%). Parasite species identified significantly influenced (P < 0.001) the PCV, RBC, and Hb concentration. The prevalence rates observed is considered to be of epidemiological and economic importance because infected animals might be sources of infection to other healthy herds in the area.