This study utilised epidemiological, haematological, pathological findings and serological detection of specific antibodies to evaluate and confirm a peste des petit ruminants (PPR) outbreak in a herd of West African dwarf (WAD) goats in Ibadan, Nigeria. The morbidity and mortality rates post exposure (PE) were 96% and 60% respectively. Laboratory analyses revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) in mean values of the haematological and serum biochemical indices between the PE and control groups. The PE group experienced a significant (P < 0.05) increase in white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte and monocytes after 10 days PE; the drop in glucose and high levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) indicated liver damage, while increased serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid arose from kidney impairment. The electrolyte imbalance (potassium, sodium and chloride ions) resulting from the symptomatic diarrhea affected the functionality of the Na+–K+ pump mechanisms, hence pathologic damage to the liver, kidneys, skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The competitive enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (c-ELISA) detected varying antibody levels in the PPR infected WAD goats; the percent inhibition was highest (P < 0.001) in survivors (70.00 ± 1.73), then in contact group (60.00 ± 2.00), and least in infected (23.33 ± 1.53), which were sero-negative. This study confirmed a PPR outbreak in a WAD goat flock in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The effect of theGarciniaKola Seed Meal (GKSM) on the spermatozoa attributes and scrotal characteristics of West African dwarf rams was assessed in a 16 week study. Twelve West Africa dwarf rams weighing between 12.50 and 13.80kg were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Rams were fed experimental diets for 16 weeks. The diets included; 0% GKSM, 2.5 % GKSM, 5.0% GKSM and 7.5% GKSM inclusion levels as treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each treatment had three replicates while semen was collected once from all replicates in the treatments using electro ejaculator and assessed for semen colour, semen pH, semen temperature, sperm concentration, mass activity, sperm motility and live sperm cells. The results showed that scrotal circumference ranged from 18.16 to 21.00cm and scrotal length from 8.60 to 10.30cm but did not differ significantly (p >0.05) across treatments. Sperm motility (80.00 – 84.16 %) and sperm volume (0.29 – 0.43 mL) were not significantly different (p >0.05). Rams on treatment I had the highest sperm concentration of 2.59 x 10 . Despite the reproductive potential benefits of Garicinia kola, the inclusion of GKSM up to 7.5% in the diets of rams used in this study did not have any direct or adverse effects on the sperm motility, live sperm cells, sperm volume, and scrotal characteristics of West Africand warf rams.

Rumen pH values were higher in T1 than T2, T3, T4 and T5. Ammonia N content (mg/100ml) of the rumen was similar in goats fed T2 (9.92), T3 (10.07) and T5 (9.80) but higher (P<0.05) than those fed T1 (8.19). The result suggests that WAD goats fed VATD leaf meal based concentrates perform better on diets with levels of mixed concentrates not exceeding 10%.

Problems associated with prediction of saleable meat yield, price haggling and monetary worth of cattle purchased due to difficulties in accurately relating visual appearance of animals and the weight with their price have always been in existence. This study was carried out to determine the accuracy in the use of heart girth tape as an alternative to the use of weighing bridge and crush, dressing percentage and expected cut yield from three indigenous breeds of cattle in Nigeria using linear body measurement. Thus, a total number of 51 healthy and mature White Fulani (n=17), Sokoto Gudali (n=17) and Red Bororo (n=17) cattle breeds were randomly purchased from Ilesha Baruba cattle market Kwara State, Kotangora cattle market, Niger State and Akinyele cattle market, Ibadan, Oyo state and were subjected to heart girth measurements. The study lasted for 32 weeks. Live weights of animals were determined at the point of purchase using a specialized measuring tape (girth tape) calibrated in kilogram (kg) and centimeter (cm).The live weights were recorded in kilogram which was used in price negotiation at the market. The live weight of the cattle ranged from 164 – 463 kg. The mean girth tape values were White Fulani (286.53 51.06)kg, Sokoto Gudali (293.35+77.51)kg and Red Bororo 261.88+60.65)kg respectively. Post slaughtering data collected were dressing percentage, weight of head(kg),neck(kg), shanks(kg), forearm(kg), thigh(kg),skin(kg),liver(kg),heart(kg), intestine(kg)and kidney(g).The study revealed that heart girth measurement had high correlation coefficient with live weight (r=0.99, p<0.001). This implies that the use of heart girth tape in weight prediction is accurate and reliable. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the dressing percentage among the breeds (43.55-46.52) %. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in the cut yield percentage between Red Bororo (33.16 4.12) and other breeds but none between White Fulani (37.14 4.50)% and Sokoto Gudali (34.53 5.26)%.There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the head (13.52-13.42)kg, Neck (14.70-18.07)kg, left thigh (27.92-29.41)kg, right forearm (22.91-27.24)kg, left forearm (24.84-27.57)kg, liver (3.60 – 3.84)kg, skin (15.03 -15.39), shank (2.20-2.41)kg, tail (5.23-5.92)kg but none for right thigh, kidney and lungs among the breeds. The variations in the yield may be as a result of genetic, management, weight and age of the animals. It can be concluded that heart girth tape may be used where weighing crush is not available because of its accuracy and reliability. The study also revealed that White Fulani has higher meat yield than Sokoto Gudali and Red Bororo and will therefore be more profitable to cattle sellers, abattoir centers, slaughter houses andmeat shops.

A study on the prevalence of fecal helminth parasites in adult WAD goats was carried out in five different areas of Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of fecal helminth parasites of goats in some areas including Gbekuba, Adabeji, Adifase, Owode and Lade-Owo as well as the genera distribution of faecal helminth parasites of goats in the study area. A total of 22 faecal samples per area were collected summing up to 110 samples from 110 goats. Simple floatation technique was used to identify eggs of parasites in the faecal samples and the eggs examined under light microscope for typing. Out of the 110 fecal samples, 78 (70.91%) of them were positive for helminth endo-parasites including five genera of nematodes: Ascaris spp (56.36%), Strongyloides spp (2.73%), Trichuris spp (0.91%), Nematodirus spp (2.73%) and Trichostrongylus spp (1.82%) and a genus of trematode: Fasciola spp (6.36%). The results showed that Ascaris spp was the most prevalent followed by Fasciola spp, Trichuris spp, Nematodirus spp, Strongyloides spp and Trichostrongylus spp. It is therefore recommended that routine deworming should be embraced using broad spectrum anthelmintics particularly against nematodes and trematodes to bring to minimal or possibly stamp out endo-parasites from the study area.