A cross-sectional study was conducted on the seroprevalence of horse brucellosis using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and Serum Agglutination Test (SAT) on the Mambilla plateau of Taraba state, Nigeria where horses are reared under a free range management system on cattle farms. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of brucella antibodies in horses as well as the distribution of the infection according to sex and age. A total of 100 horses were sampled, 25 each from four locations where horses were concentrated on the plateau: Gembu, Nguroje, Dorofi, and Mayo Ndaga. Sixty-two of the horses were males, and 38 were females. Eighty of the horses were adults, while 20 were young. All horses were reared under a free range management system together with cattle. The overall seroprevalence rate was 16 (16%) according to the RBPT and 6 (6%) according to the SAT. The seroprevalence rates were 19.40% (12/62) according to the RBPT and 6.50% (4/62) according to the SAT in the males and 10.50% (4/38) according to the RBPT and 5.30% (2/38) according to the SAT in the females. The prevalence was highest in Nguroje (8/25, 32%) followed by Gembu (5/25, 20%), Dorofi (3/25, 12%) and Mayo Ndaga (0%). Adult horses showed a seroprevalence of 18.8% (n=15) according to the RBPT and 7.5% (n=1) according to the SAT. Young horses had a seroprevalence rate of only 5% (n=1) according to the RBPT and 0% (n=0) according to the SAT. There was no statistically significance association with location, sex, and age (P>0.05). From this result, it can be concluded that brucellosis in horses on the Mambilla plateau of Taraba state, Nigeria was essentially a disease of adult horses and more prevalent in male horses than female horses. Further studies need to be conducted to determine the disease status in lowland areas of the state where horses are reared on zero grazing or are tethered and also to determine the involvement of other species and humans.

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in Jalingo using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and the serum agglutination test (SAT). A total of 90 adult horses that were on zero grazing management system were sampled. The sampling sites were selected based on the availability of horses. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of Brucella antibodies in horses as well as the distribution of the infection according to sex. There was no association of horses seen with other animals. The samples collected comprised of 88 males and 02 female horses from four locations in Jalingo: Barade, Sarkin dawaki, Sintali and Turaki. All the sera samples were subjected to initial screening by RBPT and positive cases were then analyzed with SAT. The overall prevalence of Brucella antibodies was 07 (07.8%) with all positive cases recorded from male horses for RBPT, while none was positive for SAT among the male and female horses. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of horse Brucella antibodies between male and female (P>0.05). Horses in Jalingo are in the four wards identified and were all sampled. Turaki ward recorded the highest prevalence of 13.3%, while Barade Ward had the lowest prevalence with 00.0%. However, there is no significant difference in the prevalence between the male and female (P>0.05). Further studies need to be conducted to determine the involvement of other species and humans.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors influencing the presence of Brucella spp. antibodies in donkeys in Yobe south senatorial zone, Nigeria. The study was aimed at determining the importance of Brucella spp. infection in donkeys (Equus asinus). A total of 200 sera samples from of 105 males and 95 female donkeys were collected and screened for brucellosis using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT) and the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). Data obtained were analyzed to determine associations and risk factors. The analysis revealed that 21.5% and 18.5% were seropositive by RBPT and iELISA respectively, with 22.0% and 20.0% of the male and female donkeys being seropositive by RBPT, and 19.0% and 17.9% of the male and female donkeys being seropositive by iELISA, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between donkey age and positive rate of iELISA for detecting Brucella infection. Though the positive rate was higher for males than females, there was no statistically significant association between sex and location of donkeys and the sensitivities of RBPT and iELISA for detecting Brucella infection. In conclusion, this study indicates that brucellosis exists with high seroprevalence particularly among male and adult donkeys and is of public health significance and economic importance because it can lead to infertility and abortion in the stock.

This study was carried out to determine the proximate composition of raw milk produced in pastoral settlements. Six hundred pastoralists' raw milk samples were collected from 20 local governments in Adamawa and Taraba states, Nigeria. Milk samples were collected from White Fulani (WF), Red Bororo (RB) and Sokoto Gudali (SG) breeds of cattle and were analyzed for protein, fat, ash and moisture contents. The protein content ranged between 3.62±0.38% -3.95±0.11% in WF, 3.29±0.8% - 3.94±0.10% in RB and 3.31±0.27%- 3.95±0.09% in SG in Adamawa and Taraba states. The fat content ranged between 3.55±0.47% - 3.99±0.03% in WF, 3.98±0.04% - 3.98±0.06% in RB and 3.32±0.20% - 3.45±0.27% in SG. The ash content recorded was between 0.40±0.06% -0.41±0.04% in WF, 0.40±0.06% - 0.43±0.07% in RB and0.39±0.06% - 0.41±0.08% in SG, and the moisture content in Adamawa and Taraba states were between 83.52±2.07% - 84.00±0.57% in WF, 82.28±1.05% - 83.73±0.63% in RB and 82.90±1.48% - 83.56±1.35%in SG. The study from the two states revealed protein value between 3.29± 0.8% - 3.95±0.11%, fat content range of3.32±0.20% - 3.99±0.03%, ash content of between 0.39± 0.06% - 0.43±0.07% and moisture content that ranged between 82.28± 1.05% - 84.00±0.57%. Constituents of milkfrom Taraba state were higher in values than those from Adamawa sate. The statistical analysis of the results at95% confidence level showed significant difference among breeds and states. In comparison, the three breeds that resided in Adamawa state had least values, which could be attributed to herd management practices. This study showed that all the three pastoralists' breeds indicated desirable components in their milk Cross breeding with higher breeds and provision of quality feed and water may lead to better yield in all the breeds in this study.

A survey was undertaken to investigate the dairy production practices in pastoral communities in Adamawa and Taraba states using a well-structured questionnaire. A total of 600 pastoralists in 20 local government areas (LGAs) were used in this study. Data from the questionnaires were presented in simple percentages. The survey showed that dairy pastoralists was dominated by married middle aged men (82.0%), low in literacy level (78.0%), herding local breeds of cattle (97.0%) that used rivers (91.7%) around their settlements as source of water. Most of them sale raw milk once a day (98.2%), with highest quantity during rainy season (98.3%) which was mostly used in their families as food and sale remainder (81.5%), but were willing to sale to milk collectors (62.5%). The unavailability of extension agents to assist them improves their dairy practices (89.2%) and non-membership of cooperative societies by pastoralists (82.7%) were constraints to dairy production in pastoral settlements. However, majority of pastoralists are willing to join milk cooperative society (96.6%) indicates the future development and commercialization of pastoralist milk industry is bright. Extension agents are required to enlighten on the good feeding regimens, marketing and cross breeding techniques. The result from this study indicated the need for government to exploit the potentials of improving the business and entrepreneurship skills of pastoralists through encouraging private entrepreneurs in dairy production.

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