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The effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del. leaves on the reproductive potential of male Clarias gariepinus was investigated using 56 fish (425±75.7 g). Four diets with crude protein level of 45% were formulated with different inclusion levels of V. amygdalina leaves. The leaves were added to the basal diet at 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion levels. The 56 male C. gariepinus were randomly distributed in duplicate into 4 concrete ponds and 4 plastic tanks at a stocking density of 7 fish per concrete pond and plastic tank. The fish were fed at 3% body weight twice daily for 45 days. The milt was then analysed for some biological parameters. Motility and liveability percentage values (88.33±14.720% and 91.83±6.824% respectively) were the lowest in the control (0%) group but the difference was not significant (P>0.05) across the groups. Morphology studies showed that total sperm abnormalities were the lowest in the 10% group (45.67±2.73) and total normal sperm cell number was the highest in the 10% group (393.83±14.15). Total sperm counted in morphology study was the highest in controls (442.50±22.12). The differences in these values were not significant across the groups (P>0.05). The results of the study show that studied inclusion levels of V. amygdalina did not have significant effects on sperm motility, liveability and morphology; hence it can be concluded that Bitter leaf may be included at the studied levels with no untoward effect in the diet of male C. gariepinus.

A three week old, male, West A frican Dwarf (WAD) lamb presented with disproportionate hind limb was diagnosed of having achondroplastic syndrome by physical and radiological examination. Physical examination showed the right hind limb was deformed at the level of the tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges. Radiological examination showed that the tarsal bones were small and laterally compressed, while the lateral sesamoid bone was absent. The right metatarsal bones were rudimentary while the phalanges were only represented by soft tissue structure. The serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transarninase (ALT) were higher in the achondroplastic lamb than the normal flock mate used as control. Based on the radiographic findings, it was concluded that ectrodac tyly was the only feature of the achondroplastic syndrome in the lamb.

Research Background: Antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella spp have been a major foodborne pathogen threat to human and amplifysignificant food safety hazard. The emergence of multiple drug resistance salmonella in foods has necessitated a search for new antimicrobial substance from other sources, including plants. This research aimed to evaluate the phytochemicals and anti-salmonella activity of ethanol and coldwater extracts of bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina) extract against S. typhi and S. paratyphi. Experimental approach: Two species of Salmonella were collected from Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nasarawa State. The plant leaf extracts were screened for their phytochemical component to evaluate the availability of active bio-compounds in the leaves. The leaf extractswere subjected to antimicrobial analysis by disc diffusion method using different concentration of the leaf's extracts. Results and conclusion:The phytochemical evaluation showed that compounds such as Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Steroids, Tannins, and Glycosides were present in different quantities. The extracts showed antibacterial effect against the bacteria with zone of inhibition ranging between8.1± 0.14 mm (9.257 mg/mL) to 22.5± 0.24 mm (75 mg/mL) on Salmonella typhi and 7.3± 0.11 mm (9.257 mg/mL) to 23.3± 0.31mm (75 mg/mL) on Salmonella paratyphi. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration was observed at 18.25 mg/mL and 37.5 mg/mL for ethanol and cold-water extracts of V. amygdalina,respectively, in both isolates.However, no significant difference in the extract's activity against the test isolates at p<0.05 was observed.V. amygdalina cold-water and ethanolic extracts possess phytochemical with inhibitory activities on Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi. Novelty and scientific contribution: This study showed that V. amygdalina possesses phytochemicals active against Salmonella and should be further explored to extract bioactive ingredient for use in Salmonella drug development and treatment regime.