No abstract

Seventy two (72) sexed crossbred rabbits aged 6 months were used to determine the effect of ginger rhizome powder (GRP) supplementation on reproductive organ and serum sex hormonal characteristics of pubertal rabbits. The experimental rabbits were divided into 2 treatment groups comprising 36 males and 36 females. Each group was divided into 4 dietary treatments (BT1, BT2, BT3 and BT4 ) of 9 animals and replicated thrice with 3 animals per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The animals were fed formulated diet containing 2900 Kcal ME kg-1 and 18% crude protein supplemented with GRP at the rate of 0, 5, 10 and 15 g kg-1 feed respectively. Rabbits in each dietary group were fed 50gms of Guinea grass leaf meal containing 27.6% CF (dry matter basis) occasionally as additional fibre sources. Feed and water were offered ad libitum and the study lasted for 10 weeks. Testosterone values of BT (5.83 ng mL-1) and BT (6.28 ng mL-1) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels of BT (1.15 mIU mL-1) were significantly influenced (p<0.05) by ginger rhizome powder. Bucks on BT3 and BT4 had lower luteinizing hormone (LH) level than the BT1 bucks. For the females, FSH and LH values ranged significantly (p<0.05) from 0.90 to 2.05 mIU mL-1 and 0.90 to 3.15 mIU mL-1 respectively. The 17â - estradiol and progesterone levels also ranged significantly (p<0.05) from 166.35 to 175.05 pg mL-1 and 15.45 to 16.80 ng mL-1 respectively. Ovarian weight of rabbit on BT was significantly (p<0.05) higher than those on BT1 but similar to those on BT2 and BT4 treatments. It was therefore concluded that the use of ginger rhizome powder in rabbit diets improved the weight of the ovary as well as enhances serum progesterone, estrogen and testosterone levels.

A 21-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the leaf meal of Microdesmis puberula as feed ingredient in broiler starter diets. Microdesmis puberula is a preferred tropical browse plant. The leaves were harvested, chopped to facilitate drying, spread evenly in a room for four days until the material becomes crispy while still retaining it's greenish colouration. The material was milled using a hammer mill to produce the leaf meal. Microdesmis puberula leaf meal contain 17.32% crude protein, 6.52% ether extract, 12.25% total ash, 24.84% crude fibre, 24.06% NFE and an appreciable percent of minerals. Three broiler starter diets were formulated to contain the meal at dietary levels of 0%, 5% and 10% One hundred and eighty (180), 14 -day old hubbard broiler chicks were divided into three groups of sixty birds each and randomly assigned to the three treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on feed intake, body weights and feed conversion ratio. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the group on the control (0%) diet and the groups on diets containing 5% and 10% inclusion levels of the leaf meal. The group on the control (0%) diet performed significantly (P<0.05) better than the groups on the leaf meal diets. The results of this study suggest that dietary inclusion of Microdesmis puberula leaf meal at 5% and 10% levels significantly (P<0.05) depressed performance of broiler chicks,

A 35-day feeding trial involving three hundred (300) five (5) week old broilers was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate the haematology, serum biochemical and gastro-intestinal characteristics of broiler finishers fed diets containing a mixture of fermented bovine blood and rumen digesta (FBBRD) meal at dietary levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 %, respectively. The birds were randomly grouped into five, with sixty birds each and four replicates of fifteen birds per treatment. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from eight birds randomly selected from each treatment for haematological and biochemical analyses. The group on 10 % FBBRD diet had significantly (P<0.05) higher packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cells. Eosinophil values of birds on all the treatment groups except those on 5 % FBBRD dietary level were within the normal range. Serum biochemical analysis of the experimental birds recorded significant (P<0.05) differences in total protein, albumin, creatinine, cholesterol, except blood sugar concentrations. Serum concentrations of sodium and potassium of the experimental birds were also significantly (P<0.05) different. This study suggested that FBBRD meal when properly processed and at 10 % dietary level of inclusion, can be used in broiler finisher production without adverse effects on the physiological indices of birds

This study was conducted for 4 months in the quest to discover natural materials, especially of plant origin, capable of substituting the roles of synthetic materials, especially drugs, in reproductive enhancement of livestock species. Such natural materials will help eliminate the menace of residual effects of synthetic materials on livestock products and probably attract more revenue from them. A total of 24 New Zealand White (NZW) weaned rabbit bucks were used and the study was carried out in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD), comprising three treatments replicated four times; MT1 (control), MT2 and MT3 , containing 0, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of Panax ginseng extracts (PGEs), respectively. Assessment for attainment of puberty started from the age of 11 - 14 weeks on a weekly basis and at 72 h interval thereafter by examining their ejaculate and preputial fluid smeared on a glass slide under a microscope for sperm cells. Semen was collected twice a week for 3 weeks after maturity (6 months old) with the aid of an artificial vagina (AV), using rabbit does as teasers. Semen analysis was done within 20 minutes of collection, following standard procedures. Libido was determined weekly for 3 weeks by recording the time it took the matured rabbit bucks to sniff, groom, and mount the rabbit doe in the initial instance (reaction time); and by counting the number of times the matured buck attempts to mount the doe per minute (libido score). Data generated from this study was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Age at puberty (MT1 = 116.00 days; MT2 = 112.50 days; MT3 = 100.50 days) was significantly (P<0.05) lower in MT3 (400 mg/kg b.w), and weight at puberty (MT1 = 1483.33 g; MT2 = 1475.00 g; MT3 = 1378.50 g) recorded a dose dependent significant (P<0.05) decrease in the male rabbits. Semen volume (MT1 = 0.95 mL; MT2 = 1.25 mL; MT3 = 1.55 mL), total sperm count (MT1 = 115.00 x 10 ; MT2 = 125.50 x10 ; MT3 = 146.20 x 10 ), progressive sperm motility (MT1 = 78.50 %; MT2 = 83.00 %; MT3 = 82.30 %), live sperm proportion (MT1 = 80.63 %; MT2 = 85.40 %; MT3 = 89.75 %) and libido score (MT1 = 7.00 mounts/min; MT2 = 9.00 mounts/min; MT3 = 11.50 mounts/min) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in adult rabbit bucks administered PGEs, while reaction time (MT1 = 9.45 s; MT2 = 3.15 s; MT3 = 2.60 s) significantly (P<0.05) decreased in PGEs treated rabbits. This study shows that PGEs can orally be administered up to 400 mg/kg body weight in NZW rabbit bucks to enhance their reproductive potential, through early attainment of puberty, improved semen quality and enhanced libido.