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Waters from four sources believed to be the major drinking water providers in Ekiti State were evaluated for their effects on the liver function tests and histopathology of an animal model. The waters were subjected to physical, chemical and bacteriological analyses. Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats fed normal rat chow were maintained on these sources of water for 28days after which blood samples were obtained for liver function test analyses and histopathology investigation. There results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the values of total bacterial count (TBC), total coliform count (TCC), pH and electrical conductivity of the water samples. Significant difference (P<0.05) was also observed in iron, alkalinity and sulphate contents of the water samples. Magnesum, Phosphate and nitrate contents in the water samples were below the detectable level. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in body weight gain, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and globulin in blood of rats exposed to the water sources. The normal portal vein as well as normal morphology of the hepatocytes and sinusoids indicates that the different water sources didn't have pathogenic effect on their liver except in the Elemi water. The study concluded that bottled and tap water complied with both the World Health Organization and Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality recommendations and guidelines. The cheapest and easily accessed water sources pose danger to the health of animal populations in the State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasshopper is a micro livestock, rich in animal protein that is consumed as a delicacy, processed using deep-frying as a popular cooking method. The 100 g each of fried grasshopper (Oedalense senegalenes krauss) consisted of 4 treatments of laboratory single session deep-fried grasshoppers in covered utensils using commercial refined vegetable oil at 160°C for 2 minutes were used as control; while non-control samples were locally purchased from 3 ready-to-eat repeated-sessions of deep-fried grasshopper retail outlets in Maiduguri opposite Post Office, Wulari and Bulumkuttu respectively. Samples of grasshoppers were ground to powder and oil was extracted using soxhlet method and analyzed for quality to identify primary functional groups using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Distance variation in aberration characteristics of non-control oils indicated strong wide band for the O-H stretch around 2540 cm-1 (2500-3300 cm-1) for the carbonyl functional group and a strong C-N stretch (1180-1360 cm11) which produced heterocyclic aromatic amine (HAA). Both functional groups constitute a serious health risk in overheated oil. For food safety and public health advocacy when cooking, frying oil should be discarded after one time use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excavation and processing of mineral deposits are valuable revenue sources yet they contribute serious environmental problems worldwide. Mining activities are widespread and contribute to heavy metal contamination in rural communities in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Available research failed to establish how mining soil may impact on resident terrestrial organisms. This study assessed the health of soil from active mining site by testing it on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) for 10 weeks. Survival, mobility, morphology and behaviour of worms were assessed while soil was analyzed for selected heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrometry. Worm survival was evident as the proportion of reference soil increased in exposure mixture and improved until 92% in the control. Worms curled up at the bottom of test vessels with varying proportions of mining site soil and appeared discolored and dehydrated when taken out of test soil, with characteristic sluggishness, particularly as the proportion of mining soil increased in exposure mixtures. Though metal levels were within permissible limits, morphology of exposed worms were visibly impacted, which corresponds in severity with increasing proportion of mining soil. On the contrary, worms tested in 100% reference soil appeared healthy and active in upper part of exposure vessels. These results suggest that the tested mining soil had adverse impacts on mobility, morphology, behavior and survival of exposed organisms when compared with the control population. Therefore, food products grown downstream of the mining site may be at risk of heavy metal contamination with consequences on food quality, water quality and food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on the effect of Moringa oleífera leave on live weightand reproductive tract dimensions of Archachatina marginata. Eight snails [8] were subjected to each of the four treatments (making a total of 32] which were: Concentrate feed formulated for snail only, Concentrate feed formulated for snail + 100g of Moringa oleifera, concentrate feed formulated for snail + 200g of Moringa oleifera and Concentrate feed formulated for snail + 300g of Moringa oleifera. Parameters monitored were: Shell length, shell width, shell circumference and weekly live weight. Reproductive tract dimensions taken include: Organ weight [ORGWT], reproductive tract weight [REPTWT], reproductive tract length [REPTLNT], ovo-tesis weight [OVOWT], edible part weight [EDPTWT], albumen weight [ALBWT] and albumen length [ALBLNT]. Shell dimensions and the live weight were measured and recorded once a week. After nine weeks, six snails were randomly selected from each treatment and dissected. Their reproductive tracts were removed and dimensions were taken. The result showed that ORGWT, OVOWT, ALBWT, ALBLNT, REPTLNT and REPTWT were not significantly affected [P>0.05] by different levels of Moringa oleifera inclusions. However, Moringa oleifera inclusion with concentrate at different levels had significantly increase [P<0.001] Live weight and shell length of the animal. Snails given 300 g of Moringa oleifera per kg of concentrate gave the highest live weight and shell length together. It was however recommended from this study that inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaves into snail feed at 300 g per kg of concentrate would enhance live weight and shell parameter [length]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted on the effect of Moringa oleífera leave on live weightand reproductive tract dimensions of Archachatina marginata. Eight snails [8] were subjected to each of the four treatments (making a total of 32] which were: Concentrate feed formulated for snail only, Concentrate feed formulated for snail + 100g of Moringa oleifera, concentrate feed formulated for snail + 200g of Moringa oleifera and Concentrate feed formulated for snail + 300g of Moringa oleifera. Parameters monitored were: Shell length, shell width, shell circumference and weekly live weight. Reproductive tract dimensions taken include: Organ weight [ORGWT], reproductive tract weight [REPTWT], reproductive tract length [REPTLNT], ovo-tesis weight [OVOWT], edible part weight [EDPTWT], albumen weight [ALBWT] and albumen length [ALBLNT]. Shell dimensions and the live weight were measured and recorded once a week. After nine weeks, six snails were randomly selected from each treatment and dissected. Their reproductive tracts were removed and dimensions were taken. The result showed that ORGWT, OVOWT, ALBWT, ALBLNT, REPTLNT and REPTWT were not significantly affected [P>0.05] by different levels of Moringa oleifera inclusions. However, Moringa oleifera inclusion with concentrate at different levels had significantly increase [P<0.001] Live weight and shell length of the animal. Snails given 300 g of Moringa oleifera per kg of concentrate gave the highest live weight and shell length together. It was however recommended from this study that inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaves into snail feed at 300 g per kg of concentrate would enhance live weight and shell parameter [length]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broiler chicks were subjected to early feed restriction (EFR) on d3-5 post-hatch to determine the day that confers the best thermal tolerance during acute heat stress episode at market age. In Experiment I, 160 Marshall chicks were allotted to 4 treatments. One group received feed ad libitum (CONTROL), while others received no feed for a period of 24 hours on d3 (D3), d4 (D4) and d5 (D5), respectively. Each group had 4 replicates with a total of 10 birds per replicate. On d55 of age, rectal temperature (RT) was monitored and blood samples were taken from the birds before and lh after exposure to temperature 37±2°C and 50% relative humidity. There were a total of 120 chicks in Experiment II and they were divided into 3 groups which were either fed ad libitum (CONTROL) or had feed withdrawn for 12h (D512) or 24h (D524) on d5 to determine the length of feed restriction that best conferred thermotolerance on the birds. RT and blood sampling were also done as described above. In Experiment I, haematological parameters were (P>0.05) similar among the treatments before and after exposure. Prior to the exposure to heat stress, RT was not affected (P>0.05) by feeding regimen but it was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the treatment after the exposure. D5 chickens had significantly (P<0.05) lower temperature than control. However, it was not different from D3 and D4 chickens. In Experiment II, initial RT did not differ among the 3 treatment groups although RT was (P<0.05) affected by the feeding regimen after 60 minutes of exposure. The control chickens had similar RT with that of D512. However, RT in control birds (P<0.05) was higher than RT in D524. Thus, applying EFR in broilers on D5 of post-hatch for 24 hours may help reduce hyperthermia during heat spell at market age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve mature West African Dwarf bucks were allotted to four treatment groups of three animals per group to determine various doses of Garcinia cola seed extract (GCSE) on testosterone, cortisol, potassium (K+ ), sodium (Na+ ) and calcium (Ca2+ ) in WAD bucks. Treatment A (0 mg GCSE) received saline solution; Treatment B (50 mg GCSE); Treatment C (100 mg GCSE) and Treatment D (150 mg GCSE). The animals were observed for 20 minutes after GCSE injection for behavioural response. Jugular blood samples were collected from the WAD bucks at 10 min intervals for 3 hours before and after GCSE injection. Plasma testosterone and cortisol concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay method. Serum electrolytes were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Injection of GCSE had no effect on mean plasma testosterone concentration while cortisol significantly increased (P< 0.001) in the three treatments as compared with the control (12.21 ng/mL). The injection of GCSE induced behavioural changes in the animals resulting in depression, inability to stand, suppression of feed intake and lethargy for 15 mins after injection. Also, intravenous injection of GCSE significantly increased serum potassium (P< 0.001) and sodium (P< 0.05) but not calcium in the three treatments as compared in the control. These results indicate that GCSE may be involved in the regulation of cortisol, potassium and sodium secretion in bucks. Despite the reported potential benefits of Garcinia cola, its use should be with caution because GCSE has a depressant property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]