A total number of 338 specimens of Macrobrachium vollenhovenii were bought from fisher folks who fished from Ubeji, Jala and Soroghagbene; but marketed their landings at Ubeji. Specimens were collected at monthly intervals between March and November, 2011. The male to female sex ratio established was 1:2:3. The size at first maturity was 9.0 cm for males and 10.0 cm for females. The length-weight relationship revealed an increase in total length of each specimen as body weight increased. The regression coefficient 'r' was significant at p< 0.05 for male (0.901) and female (0.644) specimens. An average condition factor of 3.9 and 2.74 was recorded for males and females respectively. The Gonado-Somatic-Index (GSI) was generally higher, especially during the month of July for females (0.60) than for males (0.50). Distinct histological changes were observed in the gonads of both sexes. Gonad development revealed five distinct stages (dominant, developing, developed, ripe and spent) for both sexes. Fecundity ranged between 5,540-28,470 eggs, and was highly correlated with total length (0.979) but not with body weight (0.185). Fecundity was highest in the month of July (20,113) and lowest in the month of August (6,140). It could be concluded that matured specimens probably spawn, in March and in July, when GSI were at their peaks. This pattern of breeding suggests that they were capable of multiple spawning within a single reproductive season.

Abstract. Twelve sexually matured (2-2.6 years old) healthy Balami rams were used to determine the effect of Gonadotrophin (Diclair ® ) on semen characteristics, body conformation and hormonal profile. The rams were divided into 3 treatment groups of 4 rams, identified as T1 (control), administered with 1.00 mL physiological saline, T2, administered with 54.00 i.u Diclair ® (0.36 mL), T3, administered with 108.00i.u Diclair ® (0.72 mL) with one ram per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The injections were divided into three doses each and administered intramuscularly in the thigh for three consecutive days. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatment groups in all the parameters for semen quality: semen volume, individual motility, sperm concentration, proportions of live, normal and dead sperm cells except semen pH which was similar (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups. The results further showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatment groups in luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels in the serum. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatment groups follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) level in the serum. Similarly, the results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatment groups in urea, glycerophosphocholine, ascorbic acid, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and fructose levels in the seminal plasma. The results of this study showed that Diclair ® enhanced semen quality and was not detrimental to the hormonal profile and biochemical constituents of the seminal plasma of the Balami rams.

Abstract. Anaerobic digesters were used in a study to compare cumulative biogas yield from yellow yam brute, cow paunch and yellow yam brute co-digested with cow paunch manure. It was found out that the mixture slurry of yellow yam brute mixed with cow paunch (YYB+CP) had the highest cumulative biogas yield of 668.65 mL/TMS than the cumulative biogas yield of 587.86mL/TMS and 307.96 mL/TMS obtained from the single base line substrates of cow paunch and yellow yam brute, respectively within the 35 days hydraulic retention time (HRT). It was also observed that YYB+CP and cow paunch (CP) produced almost equal quantity of cumulative biogas yield of 398.76 mL/TMS within the first 15 days of observation compared with cumulative biogas yield 178.45 mL/TMS produced by yellow yam brute (YYB) within the same HRT. It was also observed that gas production reduced seriously in mono-digested substrates YYB and Cp compared with the co-digestate because of lack of synergistic nutrients. It is generally observed that co-digestion of more than one substrate increase cumulative biogas yield. The trend of cumulative biogas yield at the end of 35 days hydraulic retention time was YYB+CP > CP > YYB. This study is aimed to evaluate the performance of biogas production from yellow yam brute mixed with cow paunch manure, and to compare its cumulative biogas yield with cow paunch and yellow yam brute digested as mono-digestate in batch mode.

Two groups of 4 healthy Ouda rams aged 2.0 to 2.6 years, weighing between 38.21 kg and 38.32 kg were assigned to either 49.50i.u (T2) or 99.00i.u (T3) Pergonal injections (Ferring Labs. USA) each divided into 3 doses and given for 3 consecutive days. Another group of 4 rams was given normal saline (1 ml) during the same period to serve as control (T1). All treatments were given to study the effect of the drug on body conformation and sperm reserves. All the treatments were given by intramuscular injections. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in body conformation, testicular, epididymal and vas deferens weights. The results further showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment groups in testicular and extra testicular sperm reserves. High correlations were observed between body weight and conformation, weight of epididymal segments and testicular sperm reserves. The results of this study showed that apart from body weight, the body conformation, testes, epididymal and vas deferens weights and sperm reserves of Ouda rams would be improved at the level of 99.00i.u Pergonal and this level should be recommended for induction of spermatogenesis in Ouda rams.