A twelve-week study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of West African dwarf (WAD) sheep. A total of 12 lambs (6 rams and 6 ewes) were randomly allotted to three treatment diets as follows: treatment I was a high roughage diet with no inclusion of S. cerevisiae; treatment II was a high roughage diet with 0.75 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of diet; treatment III was a high roughage diet with 1.5 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of diet. The chemical composition of the high roughage diet is as follows: dry matter (89.20%), organic matter (85.87%), crude protein (13.21%), crude fibre (16.40%), ether extract (3.30%), ash (4.33%), nitrogen free extract (51.96%), neutral detergent fibre (45.25%) and acid detergent fibre (26.62%) . Each group was made up of four replicates with one sheep serving as a replicate. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences among treatments in average daily feed intake (ADFI), and average daily weight gain (ADWG) while final body weight (FBW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences among treatments in dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) digestibility coefficients values. Based on these results addition of 1.5 g of S. cerevisiae per kg of diet is recommended.

Climate change and agriculture are intertwined with one having significant impact on the other. Hence, taking cognizance of the relevance of agriculture to man's survival, it has become important to interrogate the effect of climate change on agricultural sustainability. This work therefore embarks on a sub-sectorial assessment of the agricultural sector in the face of rising threats due to climate change. Majorly, the agricultural sector is divided into four sub-sectors.

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and haematological profiles of broiler chickens served dietary inclusion of probiotics (Saccharomyces cereviasae) and enzyme (Bio-enzyme). One hundred and twenty, one day-old broiler chicks of Agrited strain were used for the study. The birds were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. Each treatment contained 30 birds replicated three times to contain 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. The four dietary treatments were T1 Control (no probiotics and enzyme), T2 (had both probiotics and enzyme), T3 (probiotics only) and T4 (Enzyme only). The birds were given feed and water ad-libitum and the quantity of feed consumed each day was determined through weigh back techniques while the birds were weighed weekly throughout the experimental period. The experiment lasted eight weeks. The results showed significant (p<0.05) differences in the final body weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Chickens on treatment 2 had the highest final body weight of 3011.57g and performed better than chickens in other dietary treatments. Similar trend was observed in the haematological profile as treatment two were highest in value across the treatments and parameters measured except in packed cell volume where the highest value (36.33 %) was recorded in treatment 4. It was concluded from the study that treatment two which contained both probiotics and enzyme performed better and thus, recommended to farmers for broiler production.

As the use of antibiotics as growth promoters have been banned in different countries, researchers have been working hard to find alternatives to antibiotics, and also come up with other substances that can promote growth, health and productivity in broiler chickens. The study was conducted to evaluate the serum biochemistry of broiler chickens served dietary inclusion of probiotics (Saccharomyces cereviasae) and enzyme. One hundred and twenty, one day-old broiler chicks Ross strain were used for the study. The birds were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments. Each treatment contained 30 birds replicated three times to contain 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. The four dietary treatments were T1 Control (no probiotics and no enzyme), T2 (both probiotics and enzyme), T3 (Probiotics only) and T4 (Enzyme only). The probiotics and enzyme was included at 0.8% and 0.02%, respectively. The birds were given feed and water ad-libitum. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. At the end of the experimental period, three birds were randomly chosen from each replicate for serum biochemistry profiling and liver function test. The results showed that inclusion of probiotics and enzyme had significant effect (p<0.05) on the serum biochemistry profile and liver function indices. Low density lipoprotein was reduced from 3.83±0.60g/l in the control group to 2.18±0.12g/l in T2 (Probiotic and Enzyme) group. Lymphocytes values ranged from 26.00% to 38.00% in the treated groups, while the control had 45.67%. The dietary inclusion of probiotics and enzyme reduced total cholesterol from 5.07g/l to 4.22g/l and low density lipoprotein from 3.83g/l to 2.18g/l in the (probiotics and enzyme) treated group and also improved liver function indices of the broiler chickens. Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin had range values of 114.67 to 150.67 µl, (21.00 to 28.67 µl, 10.33 to 17.00 µl and 1.30 to 1.47mg/dl, respectively. It was therefore, concluded that combination of probiotics and enzyme should be included in broiler diets for immunity improvement, good liver function and reduction in cholesterol levels.   Depuis l'interdit de l'utilisation d'antibiotiques comme stimulateur de croissance dans différents pays, les chercheurs ont travaillé dur pour trouver des alternatives aux antibiotiques, ainsi que d'autres substances susceptibles de favoriser la croissance, la santé et la productivité des poulets de chair. L'étude a été menée pour évaluer la biochimie sérique des poulets de chair a servi d'inclusion alimentaire de probiotiques (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) et d'enzymes. Des poussins de chair Ross de cent vingt et un jours ont été utilisés pour l'étude. Les oiseaux ont été attribués au hasard à quatre traitements diététiques. Chaque traitement contenait 30 oiseaux répliqués trois fois pour contenir 10 oiseaux par réplica dans une expérience de conception complètement aléatoire. Les quatre traitements diététiques étaient le contrôle T1 (sans probiotiques et sans enzyme), T2 (probiotiques et enzyme), T3 (probiotiques uniquement) et T4 (enzyme uniquement). Les probiotiques et l'enzyme ont été inclus à 0,8% et 0,02%, respectivement. Les oiseaux ont reçu de la nourriture et de l'eau ad-libitum. L'expérience a duré huit semaines. À la fin de la période expérimentale, trois oiseaux ont été choisis au hasard dans chaque réplique pour le profilage de la biochimie sérique et le test de la fonction hépatique. Les résultats ont montré que l'inclusion de probiotiques et d'enzymes avait un effet significatif (p <0,05) sur le profil biochimique sérique et les indices de la fonction hépatique. Les lipoprotéines de basse densité ont été réduites de 3,83 ± 0,60 g / l dans le groupe témoin à 2,18 ± 0,12 g / l dans le groupe T2 (probiotique et enzyme). Les valeurs des lymphocytes variaient de 26,00% à 38,00% dans les groupes traités, tandis que le témoin en avait 45,67%. L'inclusion alimentaire de probiotiques et d'enzymes a réduit le cholestérol total de 5,07 g / l à 4,22 g / l et les lipoprotéines de basse densité de 3,83 g / l à 2,18 g / l dans le groupe traité (probiotiques et enzyme) et a également amélioré les indices de la fonction hépatique des poulets de chair. L'aspartate aminotransférase, l'alanine aminotransférase, la phosphatase alcaline et la bilirubine totale avaient des valeurs comprises entre 114,67 et 150,67 µl, (21,00 à 28,67 µl, 10,33 à 17,00 µl et 1,30 à 1,47 mg / dl, respectivement. Il a donc été conclu que l'association de probiotiques et d'enzyme doivent être inclus dans les régimes alimentaires pour poulets de chair pour l'amélioration de l'immunité, la bonne fonction hépatique et la réduction du taux de cholestérol.

The study was conducted to evaluate the semen quality characteristics of turkey parthenotes and parent toms. A total of twenty-four turkeys were used for the study. These comprised of twelve parthenotes toms and twelve parent toms. Parthenotes are male turkeys produced through parthenogenesis. The toms were subjected to abdominal massage techniques for semen collection. Semen collection was done twice per week and analyzed for volume, motility, sperm concentration, like sperm, abnormal sperm, normal sperm, dead sperm, total sperm/ejaculates and total motile sperm cells. The results showed that there were significant differences (p<0.05) in semen volume, sperm concentration, normal sperm cell, abnormal sperm and total motile sperm with mean values being 0.35mL, 1.74x109/mL, 97.80%, 2.20%, 1.68x1012 and 0.41ml, 1.50x109/mL, 94.00%, 6.00% and 1.42x1012, respectively for both parthenotes and parent toms. However, semen parameters such as motility, live sperm cell, dead sperm cell and total sperm/ejaculate showed no significant difference (p>0.05) with values of 96.7%, 97.7%, 2.30% and 6.07x109 for parthenotes toms and 93.20%, 98.50%, 1.50% and 6.23x109 for parent toms. It was observed from the results that turkey parthenotes possess good quality semen characteristic and therefore, recommended for use in poultry industry for turkey production.