This study was conducted to investigate the morphological development of the Helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) gastrointestinal tract pre-and post-hatch. Eighty seven (87) eggs were purchased from the Poultry unit of National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), out of which eighty one (81) were used for pre-hatch and six (6) were allowed to hatch for post hatch studies. The development was recorded daily at pre-hatch while it was observed at day 1 and 8 at posthatch. The result revealed that at day 8 of incubation a digestive tube appeared with a roundish structure in the middle of the tube. By day 10 Development of GIT of Helmeted Guinea Fowl Gosomji et al.that days 8-13 of incubation are the most critical period for the gross formation of the GIT in the guinea fowl.

The histogenesis of the primordial oesophagus was studied to determine the period in which the tunics of the oesophagus developed and became functional in the helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Eighteen embryos and nine keets were studied at prehatch and posthatch, respectively. Simple columnar epithelium surrounded by mesenchymal cells was obvious at the 8th day of embryonic development. By the 19th day of embryonic development, the four tunics, tunica mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica adventitia/serosa, were beginning to differentiate from the mesenchymal cells and also the primordial oesophageal glands appeared as clusters of cells that invaginate from the epithelium. By the 27th day, the tunics were clearly differentiated and the primordial glands were fully developed as evident with positive reaction to Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS). The tunics of the muscularis were not well developed till at posthatch. This study therefore concludes that the primordial oesophagus is active at the late incubation due to mucin secretion by mucous glands but fully functional at posthatch since the tunica muscularis is completely developed at posthatch.

Determination of antibody titre of dogs vaccinated against canine distemper in Jos North and South local Government Areas of Plateau State was carried out by collection of sera of vaccinated dogs and administration of well-structured questionnaires to dog owners. The samples collected were analyzed using the immune-blot ELISA Kit to determining the antibody titre (immunoglobulin G). It indicated that dogs vaccinated against the disease mounted adequate protective immunity. The result revealed that 54 (90.0%) of the sampled dogs have protective immunity, with those given more than one dose having higher level of protective antibody. Statistically, the result showed that the antibody titre did not differ significantly in relation to immunity and sex, breed, age and location but significant difference was seen in relation to number of primary vaccination. The result also revealed that those dogs that received booster doses (secondary vaccination) had more protective antibody. The study was aimed at evaluating the antibody titre of dogs vaccinated against canine distemper in Jos, Plateau State.

Congenital abnormalities are common among avian and mammalian species. They could be partial or total drift from the normal structural organization of the organ-systems. This article is aimed at reporting the occurrence of multiple abnormalities in a 3-week-old broiler chick. Ante mortem, post-mortem, radiological and osteological investigations were carried out, to ascertain the number and form of abnormalities present in the chick. A total of four different congenital abnormalities were discovered in this chick. These include: polymelia (presence of supernumerary or accessory limb which is usually malformed); double vents (vent duplex); double cloacal bursae (bursa duplex) and triple caeca. Radiological and postmortem examinations revealed the attachment of the accessory limb to the caudal depressor muscle as a form of synsarcosis, via a tendon that originated from the deep fossa of the modified femoral head of the accessory limb. The right vent was patent whereas the left was not. The two cloacal bursae were almost the same size, while the three caeca showed slight variation in length but typical features of the avian caecum (base, middle (body) and apex) were clearly visible. However, most cases of congenital anomalies in the avian species occur as multiple defects, with the most common being polymelia. The latest finding in this report is the discovery of double cloacal bursae (bursae of Fabricius), which has not been reported in the avian species.

With 2 plates, 2 tables, 6 figs.

Introduction: Chlorpyrifos is an agrochemical pesticide of fame that is commonly used by farmers to control pests. This chemical may become harmful to fish when washed into waterways leading to aquatic environment. This study investigates the histo-morphometric changes in the gills of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus exposed to acute toxic concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Materials and Methods: Clarias gariepinus fingerlings (weight 7.28 ± 0.03g and length 4.82 ± 0.06cm) were exposed to grades of (6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 µml/L) chlorpyrifos in solution. The 96 hour LC 50 value of chlorpyrifos was found to be 160 µml/L. Results: The grades of chlorpyrifos induced several gill histo-architectural damages such as: moderate to severe gill epithelia sloughing, primary and secondary lamellar hyperplasia and central veinous congestion in the parenchyma with pronounced severity in fish exposed to higher concentrations. Similarly, the gill morphometrics (secondary lamellar length, width, interlamellar distance and surface area) were markedly altered by the graded concentrations of chlorpyrifos. Conclusion: Chlorpyrifos appears to be very toxic to fish and therefore, its use near fish farms or in areas close to aquatic environments should be discouraged.

No abstract

Photoperiod is considered to be one of the most effective environmental factor in controlling the reproductive cycle and gonadal maturation in some mammalian species, but very limited information are available on its effects on  reproductive biology of the guinea fowl.  Therein, we  investigated the effects of varying photoperiodic treatments on morpho-biometry of the excurrent duct system of helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris).  A total of twenty-one (21) apparently healthy sexually-matured helmeted guinea fowls were randomly assigned into three (3) photoperiodic regimes; mainly [Group I: Short daylight (SD; 8 HL (Hour of light, Group II: Moderate daylight (MD; 12 HL) and Group III: Long daylight (LD; 16 HL)] of seven birds per group (n=7). After 8 weeks of experimentation, the excurrent ducts were excised and freed of all adhering connective tissues for gross-morphological and morphometric evaluations. The bio-morphometric data (weight and diameter) were significantly increased (p< 0.05) in the epididymis and ductus deferens of guinea fowl exposed to 16 HL, as compared to other treatments. However, no significant (p> 0.05) effect was observed in body weight and length of the excurrent ducts regardless of photoperiod.    The observed changes in weight and diameter of the epididymis and ductus deferens of helmeted guinea fowl are thus a consequence of the stimulatory effects of long photoperiod exposure to reproductive activity. Thus, these findings would therefore be useful to guinea fowl breeders in designing appropriate intervention programs necessary to improve their  reproduction efficacy and to preserve this species.