One thousand and twenty-four cattle, 550 sheep and 1,748 goats slaughtered in a rural slaughter slab during 1973 to 1975 were examined for evidence of liverfluke infections. The prevalence rate of Fasciola gigantica and Dicrocoelium hospes infections was respectively 65.4% and 56.0% in cattle, 40.8 and 13.1% in sheep and 17.6 and 5.2% in goats. Other trematodes detected were Schistosoma bovis and paramphistomes. The seasonal incidence of F. gigantica as well as of D. hospes was highest during and directly after the rainy season. The lower prevalence rate of F. gigantica, especially in the younger animals, during 1973-1974 was thought to be related to the 1973 drought. This was supported by the low prevalence rate in the long-range trade cattle which originated from drier areas. The results are discussed in relation to the climatic conditions during the survey period, as well as to the difference in epidemiology of F. gigantica and D. hospes infections in northern Nigeria.
Authors' Contribution A Anjum conducted the research. A Aslam supervised the research. RA, TY and MRK were members of supervisory committee. RS was research associate in the project and funded this research. SU helped in laboratory work. AZD and MU helped in write up of the manuscript.
This study investigated the effects of dietary protein to energy (P/E) ratios on the nutrients and minerals digestibility of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Twelve experiment diets containing four protein levels (24, 26, 28, and 30 %) at three dietary energy levels (2400, 2700, and 3000 kcal/kg) with P/E ratios from 80.00 to 125.00 mg / kcal were evaluated. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of seventeen fish averaging 6.5±0.6 g (mean±SD) for 10 wk. The chromic oxide in the diets was added as an additional inert marker to determine the digestibility of nutrients. The results from present study were demonstrated that the dietary P/E ratio significantly affects digestibility of protein, lipid and gross energy. In addition, the interactions of protein and energy significantly (p < 0.05) affected the digestibility of crude proteins, lipids, gross energy however, no significant (p > 0.05) effect was observed in digestibility of dry matter and ash. The increasing dietary P / E ratio significantly increased the digestibility of Na, Ca, P, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Fe. The diet with P / E ratio of 86.67 mg / kcal showed higher digestibility of dry matter (69.38±1.06), crude protein (88.18±1.59), lipid (93.43±0.22) and gross energy (86.50±0.57) while lower digestibility was observed in D12 (dietary protein 30% and dietary energy 3000 kcal/kg) with P/E ratio 100.00 mg / kcal. In conclusion, P/E ratio of 86.67 mg digestible protein / kcal digestible energy shows the maximum digestibility of nutrients and minerals in Labeo rohita fingerlings.
Authors' Contributions MT conceived the idea, provided guidance for the studies and manuscript write-up. AA performed experimental work. ASH, AN, SF and SS facilitated the conduction of experiments. ARA and MW helped in data analysis and manuscript write-up.
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