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Wound healing is a complex multicellular process involving many cell types which include; inflammatory cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts and keratinocytes. The process involves an orderly sequence of events with four overlapping phases namely; haemostasis, inflammatory, proliferation and remodeling phases. The process can be facilitated by the use of wound healing agents including herbal remedies from plants. In this study the main objective was to evaluate the in vitro wound healing activity of the resin obtained from Commiphora swynnertonii (C.swynnertonii). First the NIH -3T3 cells viability were evaluated using (3-(4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay. Then the wound scratch assay model was used to evaluate cellular proliferation, closure of the wound and release of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes. Results indicate differences in mean cell viability between different concentrations within 24 hours of incubation. The highest viability was recorded at the concentration of 1% (v/v). The in-vitro wound scratch assay showed positive NIH - 3T3 cells proliferation on the wound area and cells migration when compared with control group (without treatment) at 0 and 24 hours. In addition, C. swynnertonii was able to stimulate secretion of MMP-2 release from NIH - 3T3 cells. MMP-2 is an important enzyme for extracellular matrix remodeling during wound healing suggesting that C. swynnertonii promotes wound healing by stimulating cell proliferation and production of MMP-2 in a mechanism that is currently not known.

The study's main objective was to assess any pathophysiological significance of Acacia nilotica pods aqueous extract and Albizia lebbeck stem bark methanolic extract on the reproductive system of female multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis). A total of 60 sexually mature female rats were randomized into a 2 × 3 factorial experimental design for treatments (Control, A. nilotica, and A. lebbeck) and treatment duration (7 or 14 days). Control rats consumed basal feed only, whereas extract-treated rats consumed the basal feed containing 2% w/w of either of the two plant extracts. At the end of treatment duration, treated female rats were cohabited with males for 16 days and sacrificed 20 days after the first day of cohabitation. Parameters including pregnancy rates, number of fetal implantations, possible resorption sites and fetal litter size were assessed at necropsy. Further post-necropsy parameters were evaluated in ovaries including the ovarian weights, follicular and corpora lutea numbers and general histopathology. Results showed that pregnancy percentages, the number of fetal implantations and fetal litter size were significantly reduced (P 0.05). However, the number of corpora lutea of pregnancy was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in ovaries of rats under extract treatments than in their control counterparts. Instead, ovaries of rats receiving the two extracts contained a larger number of degenerating follicles, signifying halted ovulatory and conception activities. The current study has demonstrated that dietary inclusion of crude extracts from A. nilotica pods and A. lebbeck stem bark can lead to decreased fertility success rates in M. natalensis female rats through suppression of ovulatory activities and induction of follicular atresia. Key words: Rodent pests, medicinal plants, fertility success, reproductive system.

This study is aimed at evaluating antibody responses, viral loads, viral clearance and growth rate of Tanzanian free-range local chicken (FRLC) challenged with LaSota strain of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) as indicator traits for selection of chickens for breeding with enhanced resistance to the disease and economic value. Three popular free-range local chicken ecotypes: Kuchi, Ching’wekwe and Morogoro-medium from three ecological zones of Tanzania were used for the experiments. Progenies from the breeder chickens were challenged with 107 titer of 50% egg infectious dose (EID50) of the virus at 28 days of age. The viral loads and viral clearance rates evaluated by qRT-PCR from tear samples collected at 2- and 6-days post infection (dpi) showed that Kuchi could clear NDV better than Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe. Anti-NDV antibody levels determined from blood samples collected at 10 dpi using ELISA showed that Kuchi ecotype expressed higher mean anti-NDV antibodies compared to Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe. Growth rates determined from body weights collected for 38 days from day of hatch (D0) to 10 dpi showed higher growth rate for Kuchi than Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe chickens. Kuchi chickens were potentially more resistant to ND compared to Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe. Key words: Free-range local chickens, Newcastle disease, immune response, innate resistance.

Background Free-range local chickens (FRLC) farming is an important activity in Tanzania, however, they have not been well-characterized. This study aimed to phenotypically characterize three Tanzanian FRLCs and to determine their population structure. A total of 389 mature breeder chickens (324 females and 65 males) from three popular Tanzanian FRLC ecotypes (Kuchi, Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe) were used for the phenotypic characterization. Progenies of these chickens were utilized to assess population structure. The ecotypes were collected from four geographical zones across Tanzania: Lake, Central, Northern and Coastal zones. Body weights and linear measurements were obtained from the mature breeders, including body, neck, shanks, wingspan, chest girth, and shank girth. Descriptive statistics were utilized to characterize the chickens. Correlations between the linear measurements and differences among the means of measured linear traits between ecotypes and between sexes were assessed. A total of 1399 progeny chicks were genotyped using a chicken 600 K high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel for determination of population structure. Results The means for most traits were significantly higher in Kuchi relative to Ching’wekwe and Morogoro-medium. However, shank length and shank girth were similar between Kuchi and Morogoro-medium females. All traits were correlated with the exception of shank girth in Morogoro-medium. Admixture analyses revealed that Morogoro-medium and Ching’wekwe clustered together as one population, separate from Kuchi. Conclusions Phenotypic traits could be used to characterize FRLCs, however, there were variations in traits among individuals within ecotypes; therefore, complementary genomic methods should be considered to improve the characterization for selective breeding.

A 21-day study was carried out to determine the effect of resin from Commiphora swynnertonii on plasma levels of glucose and lipids together with liver functions in both normal and carbon-tetrachloride-treated chickens. Sixty growing male broiler chickens were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 10). G1 was a negative control, which received distilled water throughout the experiment. G2 was a positive control and received 1.59 g CCl4 per kg body weight orally every other day to induce liver injury. G3 received 500 mg resin per kg body weight daily, while G4, G5 and G6 received 500, 750 and 1000 mg resin per kg body weight respectively daily plus 1.59 g CCl4 per kg body weight every other day, throughout the experiment. Plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, lipoproteins and total proteins together with liver functions were determined. Results revealed that oral administration of CCl4 caused liver injury with consequent significant increase (P < 0.05) in the plasma glucose and lipid levels. Also a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of liver enzymes (P< 0.01) and a decrease in total plasma protein was evident. On the other hand, oral administration of moderate dose of the resin reversed these effects by significantly lowering plasma glucose and lipid levels while decreasing liver enzyme activities and boosting plasma protein levels. It is concluded that administration of moderate levels of C. swynnertonii to chickens was capable of reducing plasma levels of glucose (hypoglycemic effect) and lipids (hypolipidemic effect), while protecting the liver against the injury caused by CCl4 (hepatoprotective effect). These findings could have a positive implication on the use of the C. swynnertonii resin for treating diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in humans. Key words: Commiphora swynnertonii, carbon tetrachloride, liver injury, hepatoprotective effect, plasma glucose, plasma lipids, chickens.

Commiphora swynnertonii is among the most commonly used medicinal plants by pastoralist communities especially in northern regions of Tanzania. The effect of resin from this plant on white blood cells (WBC) and haematopoietic organs was studied using albino mice. Sixty adult mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 15). G1 acted as control whereas G2, G3 and G4 received oral doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg resin per kg body weight, respectively for 35 days consecutively. Blood samples for differential and total WBC count were collected before treatment and on days 7, 14, 28 and 35 after treatment. Also, three mice from each group were humanely sacrificed before treatment, on day 14 and 35 after treatment. Sternum, liver and spleen samples from sacrificed mice were collected for assessment of any effects of the resin on haematopoietic organs. Results showed that mice in G2 and G4 had a significant increase (P < 0.05) in total WBC counts by day 7 as compared to the control group. This trend was then followed by a gradual decrease towards end of the experiment. No significant changes in total WBC counts were observed in G3 following treatment. The effect of C. swynnertonii resin on differential WBC count was non-specific and insignificant; G1 and G2 mice had their lymphocyte and monocyte counts slightly increasing with time while that of G3 and G4 decreased slightly or remained unchanged. Neutrophils counts decreased significantly in G1 and G2, but there were no significant changes for G3 and G4. Changes in the haematopoietic tissues following exposure to the resin included increased cellularity of sternal bone marrow as compared to spaces occupied by adipocytes. In particular, there were different developmental stages of granulocytes, erythroblasts and all megakaryocytic series. Small patches of erythropoietic series and lymphoblastic cells were observed in the liver and spleen respectively of the mice that received resin. It is concluded that oral administration of C. swynnertonii resin to mice caused a significant but transient increase in total white cell counts as a short-term effect. Prolonged exposure to the resin was associated with changes in the haematopoietic system such as increased cellularity of bone marrow and erythropoietic patches in liver and spleen. Key words: Commiphora swynnertonii, resin extract, WBC count, haematopoietic tissue, albino mice.

Cassava, an important food crop in the tropical regions of the world, is known to carry varying levels of cyanogenic glucosides that are potential poison to humans. In Tanzania, cases of cyanide poisoning have been reported in many cassava producing areas. This study was launched to quantify cyanide in fresh tubers of so called “sweet” cassava varieties and to gauge peoples’ perception on cyanide poisoning in Kagera and Morogoro regions. The study employed a questionnaire survey and a cross-sectional research design to identify different cassava varieties and their cyanide content using alkaline titration method. Findings showed that cyanide content in all of the analyzed tubers were above the internationally accepted levels in human consumables. Some sweet varieties were found to be wrongly classified as sweet because their cyanide content was above acceptable limits. For the same variety tubers sampled from a lowland area had significantly higher (P < 0.01) cyanide content than those from a highland point. It was also found that the upper (slippery) parenchymal tissue had more cyanide content (P < 0.05) than the inner tissue. Nearly 80% of the studied population was unaware of cyanide poisoning, its health effects and how to reduce cyanide content prior to consumption. It is concluded that consumption of raw cassava tubers can lead to undesirable health effects despite of some of them being categorized as sweet. The public should be sensitized on the issues of cyanide in cassava and should avoid consuming raw cassava tubers as preventive measures against cyanide poisoning.

In the current study, various haematological and biochemical parameters of chickens were evaluated following an oral administration of resin extract from Commiphora swynnertonii. Sixty chickens (8 months old) were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=12): G1 served as a negative control, that is, chickens received normal saline only, while G2 to G5 chickens were given different doses of the resin extract orally for 14 consecutive days. Results revealed no signs of sickness or death in groups G1, G2 and G3 throughout the experimental period of 28 days. The body weights of chickens in G2, G3, G4 and G5 decreased significantly in a dose dependent manner from day 3 of treatment with the resin. The resin administration did not affected packed cell volume (PCV), total white blood cell (WBC) count, differential WBC count (heterophils and eosinophils). However, haemoglobin (Hb), total red blood cell (RBC) count, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing concentration of the resin. Significant dose dependent reduction (P < 0.01) in plasma glucose and total cholesterol was observed. Levels of total protein, albumin and globulin in the resin-treated groups were not significantly affected. In the current study, liver transaminases (alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) levels increased slightly to a maximum peak by day 21-post treatment. It is concluded that administration of the resin extract in chickens caused no undesirable effects at lower doses, but with increased doses signs of toxicity were evident. It is therefore suggested that, before the resin extract can be used for veterinary or medical purposes, safety margin must be established for each animal species in question. Key words: Commiphora swynnertonii, haematological parameters, biochemical parameters, resin extract, treatment, chicken.

Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of root extract from a tropical plant Synadenium glaucescens against two pathogenic species of bacteria in mice. A total of 120 mice were used in two experiments involving two bacterial species, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In each experiment, 60 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with or without bacterial infection and with or without root extract. Clinical signs and survival of the mice were monitored; skin, kidneys and livers were examined for gross lesions, histopathological changes and bacterial counts. Results indicated that mice infected with the two bacteria and treated with the root extract from S. glaucescens had significantly less (P < 0.05) severe skin lesions compared to mice from the untreated groups. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney tissues showed hydropic degeneration and inflammatory reaction in uninfected groups receiving the extracts. Protein in tubular lumens, desquamated tubular epithelium and necrosis around central veins were observed in livers of mice infected with S. aureus and treated with the extract at 50 mg/kg body weight. It is concluded that root extract from S. glaucescens had significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. Histopathological changes in the kidneys and livers of mice which received the extract alone suggested that high doses of the tested extract could be harmful to the mice. Further studies are needed to find out optimum dosage and whether the extract is harmful to other organs. Key words: Synadenium glaucescens, root extract, antibacterial activity, mice.

The worldwide increase in demand for animal products in recent decades has necessitated raising of food animals under intensive systems that have been demonstrated to cause stress to animals. A cross sectional study was carried conducted to evaluate the welfare of pigs kept under intensive system using serum cortisol levels and some biochemical parameters as indicators of stress. A total of 302 pigs, aged three months to two years, from urban and peri-urban areas of Morogoro township were purposively involved in the study which assessed farm management aspects (housing and feeding) and blood levels of cortisol and some biochemical parameters (glucose, total protein and cholesterol). Results showed that serum cortisol levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in pigs from the peri-urban farms than those dwelling in the urban settings. Weaner pigs and boars had the highest serum cortisol levels compared to other groups. Significantly high levels of plasma cholesterol (p < 0.05) were measured in boars followed by gilts and weaners all kept in the urban areas whereas no significant differences were observed as far as plasma glucose and total proteins were concerned. Result on farm management assessment showed that urban piggery housing was of better quality than in the peri-urban and that feeding was largely influenced by local availability of the major feed ingredients such as maize bran and vegetable residues. About 80% of urban pigs were maintained on high concentrate feed due to availability of swills (restaurant leftovers) and maize bran whereas low concentrate feed with mainly vegetable residues dominated in the peri-urban settings. It is concluded that, serum cortisol levels observed in the current study were a reflection of stress to different groups of pigs kept under the intensive system and that feeds had some direct effect on biochemical parameters such as plasma cholesterol levels.Key words: Stress factors, biochemical parameters, cortisol, pigs, urban, peri-urban

In vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of repeated wattle tannin (WT) drenches on faecal egg counts (FEC), worm burdens and egg hatchability during a naturally acquired worm infection in sheep and goats. For the in vivo experiment, nematode-infected sheep and goats were orally drenched with WT at a dose of 1.3g and 1.6gWT/kg bodyweight per day for three consecutive days respectively while a control group received a placebo. FEC and other worm infection parameters were monitored regularly. Once a surge in faecal egg profiles was evident the drenching exercise was repeated as explained above. The trials were terminated by humane slaughter of all the animals and estimation of worm burdens recovered from their guts. WT drench did not, significantly, reduce FEC or total worm burdens in goats. However, there was a slight reduction in FEC and a significant reduction in Haemonchus contortus worm burdens in sheep. WT drenches were also associated with increased faecal water and mucus contents. The in vitro work involved the use of an egg hatch assay using faeces from WT-drenched and un-drenched goats. A dose-response experiment whereby goat faeces were spiked with different levels of WT and then cultured for larval count comparisons was also carried out. The presence of WT in culture media significantly (P

SUMMARYIn previous work, administration of a commercial tannin preparation, quebracho, as oral drench was shown to reduce significantly faecal egg counts (FEC) and worm burdens of temperate sheep with experimental Haemonchus contortus infection. In the current work carried out in Morogoro, Tanzania, three separate animal trials were carried out to investigate the effect of drenches of wattle tannin (WT), a similar tannin preparation that is readily available in the tropics, on nematodes of tropical goats and sheep. In the first trial, 36 young Small East African (SEA) goats were experimentally infected with a single dose of mixed nematode larvae and FEC were monitored regularly. On day 30 post-infection (p.i.), the animals were blocked on the basis of their FEC and randomly assigned into three equal groups (n=12). For 3 consecutive days, two groups received low and high doses of drench at a rate of 1·2 and 2·4 g WT/kg bodyweight, respectively, whereas the third group received a placebo drench (i.e. water). All goats were humanely slaughtered on day 42 p.i. and their worm burdens were assessed. Neither FEC nor worm burdens were significantly reduced by the administration of the low or high dose of WT. The second trial had an identical design but two groups (n=14) of growing Black Head Persian (BHP) sheep were used instead. One group received the drench at 1·5 g WT/kg body wt for 3 consecutive days, whereas the other group received a placebo. Unlike in goats, worm burdens and FEC were significantly reduced (Pn=17). The treated group received the drench at 1·0 g WT/kg bodyweight for 3 consecutive days, while the remaining half was given a placebo. The two groups continued to graze together as FEC were being monitored. Results indicated a significant (P

Three animal experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of condensed tannins (CT) on parasitic gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infections of sheep. Experiment 1 investigated the long-term effect of varying dietary levels (0–80 g/kg diet) of quebracho tannin (QT) on faecal egg counts (FEC) and feed consumption of lambs with experimental Haemonchus contortus infection. Dietary QT did not cause significant reductions in FEC although at high inclusions of QT there was an indication of a reduction in FEC. Some undesirable effects of tannins were also observed; feed consumption was significantly reduced (PPH. contortus (Experiment 2) or its mixed infection with Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Experiment 3) and its effect on FEC, worm burdens and the GI tract was investigated. Administration of QT drench to sheep infected with the abomasal H. contortus alone significantly (PPP>0·05) on small intestinal T. colubriformis although similar effects to those seen in Experiment 2 on H. contortus were observed, suggesting that the location of the nematodes in the gut might be important. Apart from reducing feed consumption, the drench caused some physiological changes in the gut, particularly an increase in faecal water and mucus content, which were more marked following the drench than seen in the dietary inclusion trial. In conclusion, unlike dietary inclusion, QT worked more quickly and more effectively against H. contortus when administered as drench; T. colubriformis may require a higher dose or a prolonged exposure to the drench. The present findings suggest that it may be possible, perhaps with limited use of synthetic anthelmintics, to design appropriate feeding strategies using tannins to alleviate the problem of nematode infections in small ruminants. This may be particularly relevant to the tropics and subtropics where many species of plants contain high levels of tannins and where extracts high in tannins are readily available.

A crude resinous extract from Commiphora swynnertonii was tested against an experimental coccidial infection in local chickens. A total of 80 growing chickens were randomly assigned into five groups, which received different treatments. Chickens in G1 were not infected with coccidian oocysts and therefore served as a negative control. All chickens in G2, G3, G4 and G5 were infected through oral administration of coccidian oocysts suspension at a dosed rate of 1.5 × 10(4) Eimeria spp. oocysts per bird. Starting from day 3 post-infection (p.i), chickens in different groups were treated for 7 consecutive days as follows: G1 and G2 (positive control) received 5 ml of normal saline as placebo, G3 and G4 were given the extract at 400 and 800 mg/kg bodyweight whereas G5 received anticoccidial drug. Clinical signs, bodyweights, oocysts counts and mortality rates were observed regularly. Results showed that oral administration of the resinous extract to chickens with coccidiosis significantly reduced mortality rate from 94 to 25 % and oocysts counts from 1.03 × 10(5) to 6.55 × 10(3) oocysts/g faeces (p < 0.05). Also a body condition score chart indicated less severe clinical signs of the disease in the groups which received the extract. Mean daily body weights were slightly reduced by the administration of the extract but this effect disappeared by day 7 p.i. These findings clearly indicate that resinous extract from C. swynnertonii has significant anticoccidial effect against experimental Eimeria spp. infection in chickens. A larger field trial to validate the use of the extract in chickens naturally infected with Eimeria spp. is required.

Ethanolic extracts from resin, root bark, stem bark and leaves of Commiphora swynnertonii were tested against fungi and bacteria using agar well diffusion method. The fungi included Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger whereas the bacteria species included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli . Antimicrobial activity was determined by measuring inhibition zone diameters around agar wells. Resin and root bark extracts showed significant activities against S. pyogenes, E. coli and B. subtilis compared to the other two extracts. Growth of E. coli was highly reduced by resin extract (minimum inhibition concentration = 1.9 µg/ml). The fungi, C. albicans , also showed similar sensitivity to resin and root bark extract. Growth of S. typhimurium was not reduced by all four extracts at all concentrations tested whereas that of P. aeruginosa was slightly reduced. Cytotoxicity studies using brine lethality test indicated that root bark, stem bark and resin extract had effect to brine shrimps with LC 50 of 3.5, 13.0 and 15.8 µg/ml, respectively. The current results indicate that resin and root bark extracts of C. swynnertonii have strong antimicrobial activity against most of the tested microbes and support the traditional use of the plant in treating various infectious diseases. Further studies are suggested to validate the use of this plant against the diseases caused by the tested microbes.

Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of crude extracts from resin, leaves, stem barks and root barks of Commiphora swynnertonii against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) using an in ovo assay. Nine-day-old embryonated chicken eggs were divided into seven groups (n = 6) and received various treatments. Six groups were inoculated with velogenic NDV strain; five groups out of these were treated with different concentrations of the four extracts or a diluent, dimethylsulphoxide. The uninoculated and inoculated groups were left as negative and positive controls, respectively. Embryo survival was observed daily and embryo weights were measured day 5 post-inoculation; a few eggs from selected groups were left to hatch. Allantoic fluid from treated eggs and serum from hatched chicks were collected for hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests to detect NDV in the eggs and antibodies against NDV in the hatched chicks respectively. Results showed that embryo survival and mean embryo weight were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in those groups which were treated with the crude extracts from C. swynnertonii than the positive control group. Also the extracts significantly (p < 0.001) reduced virus titres, whereas no viruses were detected in the allantoic fluids of the resin-treated group at the highest concentration of 500 μg/mL. Furthermore, the HI test results showed very low levels of antibodies against NDV in chicks hatched from resin and root bark extract-treated eggs suggesting that these plant materials were capable of destroying the NDV before stimulating the developing chick's immunity. The current findings have clearly demonstrated that crude extracts especially that of resin from C. swynnertonii have strong antiviral activity against NDV in ovo. In vivo trials are needed to validate the use of resin from the tree in controlling Newcastle disease in chickens.

The effect of tanniniferous browse meal on faecal egg counts (FEC) and intestinal worm burdens was investigated in sheep and goats infested experimentally with gastrointestinal nematodes. Initially, leaves of different browse tree species were assayed for condensed tannin (CT) content using a colorimetric method to determine concentration and seasonal variations. The level of CT in the leaves ranged between 58 – 283 g/kg dry matter. Seasonal changes in CT levels were influenced by stage of leaf maturity with peak levels after the wet season in June. Leaves of Acacia polyacantha had the highest tannin concentration and were used to test their anthelmintic effect in goats and sheep infested with the nematodes in two separate feeding trials. In Trial 1 an acacia leaf meal supplement (AMS) was offered at 100 – 130 g/animal/day for 20 days to growing Small East African goats to investigate its effect on FEC and worm burden. Mean FEC and worm burden of the AMS-fed group were respectively 27% and 13% lower than in the control group. Trial 2 was similar to Trial 1 except that AMS was offered for 30 days to growing Black Head Persian sheep at 170 g/animal/day. The sheep receiving AMS showed a slight reduction in FEC (on average 19% lower than the control group) but had no effect on worm burden. The current results substantiated previous reports of a suppressing effect of CT on gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants. Although the observed anthelmintic activity of AMS was less than expected, such reductions can have practical epidemiological implications in reducing pasture larval contamination. Further studies are needed under field conditions to evaluate the feasibility of using locally available tanniniferous browse as an alternative to synthetic anthelmintics in reducing worm infestations in small ruminants. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 37 (2) 2007: pp. 97-106

Summary A small group of housed helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) was studied over a 6‐week period. Blood samples were taken on three occasions and basic haema‐tology was performed. Clinical examination of the birds revealed a number of abnormalities including bumblefoot, inflammatory lesions on the wings and body, impaction of the preen gland and traumatic injuries. Supporting laboratory tests provided further information on the aetiology and pathogenesis of some of these disorders. Four birds died during the study: postmortem findings included oviducti‐tis and septicaemia, visceral gout and nephropathy. Virological investigations were not carried out. The importance, when keeping guineafowl, of good husbandry, including regular handling and examination, is stressed.