A total of 30 (20 males and 10 females) Speckled Pigeons trapped from the wild in Zaria and its environs, Nigeria, were examined for ectoparasites and intestinal helminths, to determine the prevalence, intensity and mean intensity of infestation and infection. The plumages of the birds were brushed onto a white sheet of paper placed in a tray for the collection of ectoparasites, while the gastrointestinal tracts of the birds were examined for helminths. Eighteen (60.0%) of the birds were infested by three species of ectoparasites. The ectoparasites comprised of lice: 17 (56.7%) Menopon gallinae Linnaeus 1758, 18 (60.0%) Columbicola columbae Linnaeus 1758 and flies: 9 (30.0%) Pseudolynchia canariensis Macquart 1840. Single, double and triple infestations were found in 1(3.3%), 8(26.7%) and 9(30.0%) respectively, though the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The sex-specific infestation rate was 12(60.0%) in males and 6(60.0%) in females. Seventeen (56.7%) birds were infected by helminths represented by four species of cestodes recovered from the gastrointestinal tract. The cestodes were represented by Raillietina tetragona Molin, 1858 1(3.3%), Raillietina cesticillus Molin, 1858 8(26.7%), Amoebotaenia cuneata Linstow, 1872 4(13.3%) and Hymenolepis carioca Magalhaes, 1898 4(13.3%). Single infection was the only infection type observed. The sex-specific rate of infection was 11(55.0%) in males and 6(60.0%) in females. This study portrays the Speckled Pigeons as a probable definitive host of some ectoparasites and helminths.

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This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of soaked <em>Bauhinia monandra</em> (Kutz) seed as alternative protein source for <em>Clarias gariepinus</em> and to determine cost of feed compounded. The proximate analysis of the diet (crude protein, crude fibre, ash, moisture content and lipid) were determined using AOAC (1980). Data for each parameter was subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) while means of various results were compared at 5% level of significance. A preliminary study was conducted to determine the best processing method that reduced anti-nutrients to the minimum level without impairing nutrients composition. Boiled, toasted and soaked seeds were used. <em>Bauhinia</em> seeds soaked for 96 hours had least concentration of anti-nutrients. The experimental diets was formulated to contain soaked <em>Bauhinia</em> seed meal (SBSM) at levels of 25%, 50% and 75% inclusion (Diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively)  with two diets acting as control (Diets 1 and 5). All diets were isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) and isocaloric (3212kcal/kg). A 12 weeks feeding trial was conducted using juveniles which were randomly distributed into 12 improvised non-recirculatory and semi-flow through indoor plastic tanks (52cm X 34cm X 33.5cm) at a stocking rate of 10 fish per tank and three (3) replicates per treatment. The experimental design was complete randomized. The fish were fed at 5% body weight, twice daily. Diets with higher inclusion levels of SBSM (diets 3 and 4) significantly depressed growth performance of fish. The variations observed in the Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), Feed Efficiency Ratio (FER) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) were associated with the anti-nutrients present in the diets, these parameters reduced with increasing levels of SBSM in the diets of fish. Based on the relative cost of diets per unit weight gain and protein gain, diet 2 (25% SBSM) was most economical. The results suggested that SBSM can be used to substitute up to 25% levels of dietary protein in <em>C. gariepinus</em> juveniles without significant reduction in growth.

Aim:The study was conducted to evaluate the pathological effects of trypanosomosis on the testes, gonadal, and epididymal sperm reserves of Yankasa rams for 98 days.Materials and Methods:A total of 16 Yankasa rams, aged between 24 and 30 months and weighed between 22 and 25 kg, were acclimatized for a period of 2-months in a clean fly proof house and were adequately fed and given water ad-libitum. Of the 16 rams, 12 that were clinically fit for the experiment at the end of the acclimatization period were randomly divided into four groups: Groups I, II, III, and IV, each having 3 rams. Groups I and II were each challenged singly with experimental Trypanosoma brucei brucei (Federer strain) and Trypanosoma evansi (Sokoto strain), respectively, while Group III was challenged with mixed T. brucei brucei and T. evansi parasites (50% of each species in the infective inoculum) and Group IV was left as an uninfected control. Each infected ram received 2 mL of the infected blood containing 2×106 trypomastigotes via the jugular vein, while the control group received 2 mL each, normal saline.Results:All the infected rams developed clinical signs typical of trypanosomosis at varying pre-patent periods. The gross lesions observed in the infected rams in Group II were moderate and more severe in those of Groups I and III. Histological sections of the testes of infected rams (Groups I, II, and III) showed moderate (T. evansi-infected group) to severe (mixed and T. brucei brucei-infected groups) testicular degenerations with reduction in number of spermatogenic cell layers, degenerated seminiferous tubules, congested interlobular spaces, loss of tissue architecture with significant (p<0.01) depletion, and loss of gonadal and epididymal sperm reserves in Groups I and III in comparison to Group II and the control Group IV. No observable clinical signs and histopathological lesions were found in those rams of the control Group IV.Conclusion:The study concluded that trypanosomosis due to experimental T. brucei brucei or T. evansi or mixed infections (of both parasites) caused testicular damage, decreased epididymal and gonadal sperm reserves and an important cause of infertility in Yankasa rams.

ABSTRACT

The aquatic ecosystem is under increasing pressure from environmental contaminants due to anthropogenic activities. This study investigated the potential of glyphosate and paraquat to induce DNA damage and other cell abnormalities in juvenile African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Juvenile fish were exposed for 96 h to 0.36, 0.48, 0.60, 0.72 and 0.84 mg/L glyphosate; and 0.018, 0.037, 0.055, 0.110 and 0.221 mg/L paraquat. Following the exposure, the fish liver and blood were analysed for DNA damage and micronucleus respectively. DNA damage was analysed using comet assay while the micronucleus test was used for assessing nuclear abnormalities. Both herbicides induced DNA damage in fish, with paraquat exhibiting higher toxicity. The severity in liver DNA damage was observed to be dependent on concentration. The herbicides triggered formation of micronuclei, bean-shaped cells, lobed nuclei, and apoptosis in blood cells of fish. Both herbicides also increased the frequency of occurrence of these cell abnormalities in erythrocytes and showed mutagenic potential in fish. Glyphosate and Paraquat both have mutagenic potentials in fish and this is a reflection of the threat these contaminants pose to fish and other forms of aquatic life in our natural water bodies. Low concentrations of these herbicides should be encouraged when usage is inevitable

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