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This study investigated the physiological and stress indices of scavenging chickens in LAFARGE and Dangote cement factories located at Ewekoro and Ibese, respectively and respective adjourning communities of Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred adult scavenging chickens comprising of 25 from each location were used. The birds were caught at night on their perch and kept in furnished cages till the next morning. Data were collected on their rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiratory rate. Also 5 mL blood was collected through the wing vein of each chicken. Highest (p < 0.05) pulse rate (215.64 beat/minute) and respiratory rate (19.90 breath/minute) were recorded among the chickens at LAFARGE area. Highest (p < 0.05) packed cell volume (28.06%), hemoglobin (4.01 g/dL), monocyte (4.28%) and glucose (256.53 g/dL) were recorded among ones at Ibese (Dangote). White blood cell (6488.89 × 103µL) was highest (p < 0.05) in chickens at Ewekoro (LAFARGE). The study concluded that cement factories infringe on health status of scavenging chickens in the domains. Effective environmental mitigation programme should be put in place for enhanced welfare of the birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the mechanisms responsible for cadmium (Cd) detoxification in Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L), the growth and antioxidative responses of the plant grown on a Cd polluted soil were investigated. Kenaf seeds were grown in artificially contaminated soils containing in- creasing concentrations of Cd as CdCl2 (0, 150, 300, 450 and 600 mg Cd kg-1) for 14 weeks in a screenhouse. Growth parameters (plant height and stem girth), Cd concentration, oxidative lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) content, activity of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were measured using established techniques. Cd inhibits growth as shown by decrease in plant height and stem girth at all concentrations used compared with control. Plant Cd concentrations increased with soil Cd concentrations, with maximum Cd uptake being 73.37±8.82 mg kg-1 dry weight at 600 mg Cd kg-1. The content of malondialdehyde (indication of lipid peroxidation) showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in Kenaf shoots at 150 and 300 mg Cd kg-1 level of treatment, while the content of non-enzymatic antioxidant, GSH, showed a significant (p< 0.05) depletion at all treatment levels compared with control. Activity of SOD was increased while the activities of CAT and APX were inhibited at all Cd concentrations used. Results show that Cd induces oxidative stress in Kenaf and that both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants play significant roles in Cd detoxification in Kenaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]