Linus Mhomga - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Linus Mhomga
Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 2019
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding varying levels of Cochlospermum pl... more This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding varying levels of Cochlospermum planchonii using 25 WAD goats. The study lasted for 84 days during which feed intake and haematological and biochemical parameters were monitored in 25 goats using a completely randomized design. Five diets consisting of pulverized Cochlospermum planchonii rhizome at varying proportions of 0 %. 5 %, 10 %, 20 % and 40 % respectively and designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were compounded with other feed ingredients. Goats were offered concentrate and Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) at 08:30 am. The results obtained revealed that there was no significant difference in dry matter intake of forage but the amount of concentrate consumed by T5 was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the other treatments. Haematological parameters such as; PCV, Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils did not differ across the treatments, while biochemical parameters such as; tot...
African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2013
A study was carried out to assess udder characteristics of 114 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats rea... more A study was carried out to assess udder characteristics of 114 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats reared under extensive and semi-intensive systems of management. Udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), udder length (UL), distance between teats (DBT), right teat diameter (RTD), left teat diameter (LTD), right teat length (RTL) and left teat length (LTL) were measured. The animals were classified into two groups comprising animals below the age of two years and above two years of age respectively. Statistical analysis of the data collected showed a significant difference (P 0.05) was observed between the two management systems for the rest of the udder characteristics that were studied in the two groups of goats. Key words: Udder characteristics, management system, reproduction, goat.
Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
Aim of study: To investigate the in vitro anthelmintic efficacies of three plants, Annona senegal... more Aim of study: To investigate the in vitro anthelmintic efficacies of three plants, Annona senegalensis (AS), Cochlospermum planchonii (CP), and Sarcocephalus latifolius (SL), used by livestock farmers in Northern Nigeria, to treat gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants. Area of study: Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: The plants were selected through a structured questionnaire administered to livestock farmers in Northern Nigeria. Aqueous and acetone leaf (AS and SL) and root (CP) extracts of these plants were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus using the egg hatch inhibition assay at concentration levels of 0.3125 to 10 mg/mL in 2.5% dimethyl sulfoxide. Main results: A probit log-dose response analysis showed that acetone extract of CP achieved 100% egg hatch inhibition similar to the commercial drug at all tested concentrations after 48 hours of incubation, while AS demonstrated 88.7% egg hatch inhibition. Aceton...
1 Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agric... more 1 Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Benue StateNigeria, 2 Department of Animal Health and Production, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; 3 Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; 4 Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
ABSTRACT Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to st... more ABSTRACT Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the effect of dietary protein on their response to mixed infections of trychostrongyles. The goats were divided into 4 groups (A-D), each containing 5 animals. Groups A and B were fed forages with concentrate feed containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas Groups C and D were fed forages alone. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000 L3, 2000 L3, and 4000 L3 was given consecutively at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for 4 weeks to groups A and D. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out fecal egg counts (FECs) twice weekly. All of the animals were humanely sacrificed 42 days aft er infection, and the abomasum and intestines were recovered and processed for worm recovery. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the dietary protein and body weight gain and body condition score. However, the dietary protein had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein, and serum albumin levels. The supplemented goats shed significantly fewer helminth eggs in the feces and harbored lighter burdens of the 2 worm species compared to unsupplemented goats. There was a negative significant correlation between the worm burden and the body weight and body condition scores. The correlation between the worm burden and PCV was also negative but not significant, while that between the worm burden and FEC was positive and significant. Infection significantly affected the feed intake but did not affect water intake. These results therefore demonstrate that nutritional supplementation enhances the resistance of WAD goats to mixed infections of H. contortus and T. colubriformis and results in their improved performance.
Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the e... more Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the effect of dietary protein on their response to mixed infections of trychostrongyles. The goats were divided into 4 groups (A-D), each containing 5 animals. Groups A and B were fed forages with concentrate feed containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas Groups C and D were fed forages alone. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000 L3, 2000 L3, and 4000 L3 was given consecutively at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for 4 weeks to groups A and D. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out fecal egg counts (FECs) twice weekly. All of the animals were humanely sacrificed 42 days after infection, and the abomasum and intestines were recovered and processed for worm recovery. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the dietary protein and body weight gain and body condition score. However, the dietary protein had no significant (P &...
Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the e... more Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the effect of dietary protein on their response to mixed infections of trychostrongyles. The goats were divided into 4 groups (A-D), each containing 5 animals. Groups A and B were fed forages with concentrate feed containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas Groups C and D were fed forages alone. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000 L3, 2000 L3, and 4000 L3 was given consecutively at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for 4 weeks to groups A and D. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out fecal egg counts (FECs) twice weekly. All of the animals were humanely sacrificed 42 days aft er infection, and the abomasum and intestines were recovered and processed for worm recovery. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the dietary protein and body weight gain and body condition score. However, the dietary protein had no significant (P ...
The effects of single and/or concurrent H. bakeri and T. brucei infections on water consumption o... more The effects of single and/or concurrent H. bakeri and T. brucei infections on water consumption of lactating and non-lactating mice were investigated. Pregnant mice were grouped into four (A, B, C and D) comprising of six animals per group. Groups A, B and C were either infected with H. bakeri or T. brucei alone or with both parasites together. Group D served as pregnant uninfected control while a different group (E) was used as non-pregnant and uninfected control. Packed cell volumes (PCV), faecal egg counts (FEC), worm burden and water consumption of the mice were determined. Mean live-weights of surviving offspring and their numbers were recorded. Infected animals had lower PCV compared to the controls. However, lactating mice infected with both parasites had the least PCV. Mortalities occurred in the dual infected groups. Worm burden and FEC of mice with concurrent infections were significantly higher than that of the H. bakeri-only infected mice. Lactating mice consumed signifi...
Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
Effect of hypertonic sodium chloride was studied in non water deprived Wistar albino rats. Twenty... more Effect of hypertonic sodium chloride was studied in non water deprived Wistar albino rats. Twenty (20) Wistar albino rats weighing between 128.4g and 470.2g were obtained from
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2011
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2012
To investigate correlates of resistance to GI nematode infection in Nigerian West African dwarf (... more To investigate correlates of resistance to GI nematode infection in Nigerian West African dwarf (WAD) sheep. Thirty three sheep were randomly assigned to two groups, A (n=27) which were used for experimental infections, and B (n=6) which served as uninfected control. Each infected animal received weekly escalating infections with infective larvae (60%Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) and 40%Trichostrongylus colubriformis (T. colubriformis) for 4 weeks. The responses of all the infected and control sheep were assessed by faecal egg count (FEC), worm burden (Wb), packed cell volume (PCV), body weight (Bwt), and body condition score (BCS). On the basis of their individual faecal egg output, Lambs in group A with epg ≤1,000 on any sampling day were classified as low faecal egg count (LFEC) phenotype (n=16), those with epg between 1,000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg > 10,000 as high feacal egg count (HFEC) phenotype (n=6). The difference between the FEC classes was highly significant (P=0.001). The BCS and weight gained at the end of the experiment by the control and LFEC sheep was significantly higher (P≤0.05) than those of the intermediate and HFEC phenotypes. There was a significant and negative correlation between the parasitological measures and the trio of BCS, PCV and Bwt of sheep. The result of the study indicated that the FEC, weight gain, PCV, and BCS are correlates and potential selection criteria of GI nematode resistant WAD sheep.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2012
Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sh... more Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sheep following trickle exposure to weekly escalating mixed infections with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at wk1, 1000 L(3) at wk2, 2000 L(3) at wk3 and 4000 L(3) at wk4. Thirty-three animals were randomly assigned to two groups namely, Group 1 (n=27) and Group 2 (n=6). Group 1 animals were used for experimental infections and Group 2 animals served as uninfected controls. Body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW), faecal egg counts (FEC) per gram of faeces and worm burden (Wb) were determined using standard procedures. Lambs in group 1 with epg ≤ 1000 were classified as strong responders (n=16), those with epg between 1000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg>10,000 on any sampling day were classified as weak responders (n=6). Based on this classification, the mean epg of lambs classified as strong responders was significantly lower (P<0.001) than the epg of lambs classified as weak responders. The body condition scores and body weights of the strong responder lambs were comparable with those of the uninfected control and they were significantly higher than those of the weak and intermediate responders from wk5 till the end of the experiment. There was an inverse and significant relationship between the average BCS of days 56 and 59 and the average FEC of days 56 and 59 (r(s)=-572; P=0.017; n=27) as well as with Wb (r(s)=-531; P=0.028; n=27). We concluded that changes in the body scores are good indicators of the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in the Nigerian WAD sheep.
Parasitology Research, 2012
The responses of the Nigerian West African Dwarf sheep to experimental infections with two of its... more The responses of the Nigerian West African Dwarf sheep to experimental infections with two of its most important gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes, namely, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were studied by means of two measures of parasitological response, namely, faecal egg count (FEC) and worm burden (Wb), and three measures of host pathology, namely, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight (Bwt) and body condition score (BCS). Following exposure to weekly escalating infections (60% H. contortus and 40% T. colubriformis) starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at week 1, 1,000 L(3) at week 2, 2,000 L(3) at week 3 and 4,000 L(3) at week 4, two distinctive worm burden response phenotypes were readily recognisable, namely, low Wb (LWb) and high Wb (HWb) phenotypes. The percentage of inoculums (adults and immature stages) recovered at necropsy were 3.75% and 33.08% respectively for H. contortus and T. colubriformis. The results showed that the FECs of the lambs belonging to the LWb phenotype were significantly lower than the FECs of their HWb counterpart. Among the measures of host pathology tested, the LWb phenotype sheep had similar Bwt, PCV and BCS to the uninfected control sheep, whereas the HWb phenotype sheep had significantly lower values than their LWb counterparts and the control sheep towards the end of the experiment. There was a highly significant positive correlation between worm burden transformed as log(10) (Wb + 10) and the average of D56 and D59 FECs. A highly significant negative correlation also was obtained between log(10) (Wb + 10) and the PCV, Bwt and BCS. The low percentage of H. contortus inoculums recovered at necropsy suggested that the sheep may be resistant to their most important GI nematode, H. contortus but less so to T. colubriformis.
Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2012
This study investigated the erythrocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma... more This study investigated the erythrocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried; selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study, viz: 7 mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5 mg/kg bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8 mg/kg bw DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had, in addition to the three groups derived from the dose-response study, four other groups, viz: uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000 mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7 mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control (group G). The parameters assessed were onset of parasitaemia (OP), level of parasitaemia (LOP), clearance of parasites posttreatment (COPPT), relapse of infection period (RIP), red blood cell counts (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV). There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in OP between the groups. A day following treatment, the LOP of groups A, B and C was found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of group D (p<0.05) which in turn was lower (p<0.05) than that of group E and G, respectively. The mean LOP of group E was significantly (p<0.05) lower than group G (p<0.05) 2 days posttreatment, and this trend continued throughout the experimental period. Mean COPPT of group D was significantly (p<0.05) longer than that of groups A, C and B. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean COPPT among groups B, C and A. The mean RIP of group D was significantly shorter (p<0.05) than group C, and that of group C was significantly shorter (p<0.05) than group A. There was no relapse of infection in group B rats. Group B rats had significantly higher (p<0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to other infected groups. Group E rats had significantly higher (p<0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to group G rats. It was concluded that dose combination of 125 mg/kg bw extract plus 7 mg/kg bw DDA led to significant enhancement of erythrocytic profile and potentiation of diminazene in its trypanocidal activity. This combination therapy proved to be better than single therapy of DDA.
Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2012
This study investigated the leucocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma b... more This study investigated the leucocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic Azadirachta indica leaf extracts (MAILE) plus diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried. Selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study viz, 7 mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5 mg/kg bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8 mg/kg bw DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had in addition to the three groups derived from the dose-response study, four other groups viz, uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000 mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7 mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control
Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sh... more Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sheep following trickle exposure to weekly escalating mixed infections with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at wk1, 1000 L(3) at wk2, 2000 L(3) at wk3 and 4000 L(3) at wk4. Thirty-three animals were randomly assigned to two groups namely, Group 1 (n=27) and Group 2 (n=6). Group 1 animals were used for experimental infections and Group 2 animals served as uninfected controls. Body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW), faecal egg counts (FEC) per gram of faeces and worm burden (Wb) were determined using standard procedures. Lambs in group 1 with epg ≤ 1000 were classified as strong responders (n=16), those with epg between 1000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg>10,000 on any sampling day were classified as weak responders (n=6). Based on this classification, the mean epg of lambs classified as strong responders was significantly lower (P<0.001) than the epg of lambs classified as weak responders. The body condition scores and body weights of the strong responder lambs were comparable with those of the uninfected control and they were significantly higher than those of the weak and intermediate responders from wk5 till the end of the experiment. There was an inverse and significant relationship between the average BCS of days 56 and 59 and the average FEC of days 56 and 59 (r(s)=-572; P=0.017; n=27) as well as with Wb (r(s)=-531; P=0.028; n=27). We concluded that changes in the body scores are good indicators of the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in the Nigerian WAD sheep.
Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 2019
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding varying levels of Cochlospermum pl... more This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding varying levels of Cochlospermum planchonii using 25 WAD goats. The study lasted for 84 days during which feed intake and haematological and biochemical parameters were monitored in 25 goats using a completely randomized design. Five diets consisting of pulverized Cochlospermum planchonii rhizome at varying proportions of 0 %. 5 %, 10 %, 20 % and 40 % respectively and designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 were compounded with other feed ingredients. Goats were offered concentrate and Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) at 08:30 am. The results obtained revealed that there was no significant difference in dry matter intake of forage but the amount of concentrate consumed by T5 was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the other treatments. Haematological parameters such as; PCV, Hb, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and eosinophils did not differ across the treatments, while biochemical parameters such as; tot...
African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2013
A study was carried out to assess udder characteristics of 114 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats rea... more A study was carried out to assess udder characteristics of 114 West African Dwarf (WAD) goats reared under extensive and semi-intensive systems of management. Udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), udder length (UL), distance between teats (DBT), right teat diameter (RTD), left teat diameter (LTD), right teat length (RTL) and left teat length (LTL) were measured. The animals were classified into two groups comprising animals below the age of two years and above two years of age respectively. Statistical analysis of the data collected showed a significant difference (P 0.05) was observed between the two management systems for the rest of the udder characteristics that were studied in the two groups of goats. Key words: Udder characteristics, management system, reproduction, goat.
Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research
Aim of study: To investigate the in vitro anthelmintic efficacies of three plants, Annona senegal... more Aim of study: To investigate the in vitro anthelmintic efficacies of three plants, Annona senegalensis (AS), Cochlospermum planchonii (CP), and Sarcocephalus latifolius (SL), used by livestock farmers in Northern Nigeria, to treat gastrointestinal nematode infections in ruminants. Area of study: Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: The plants were selected through a structured questionnaire administered to livestock farmers in Northern Nigeria. Aqueous and acetone leaf (AS and SL) and root (CP) extracts of these plants were investigated for their anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus using the egg hatch inhibition assay at concentration levels of 0.3125 to 10 mg/mL in 2.5% dimethyl sulfoxide. Main results: A probit log-dose response analysis showed that acetone extract of CP achieved 100% egg hatch inhibition similar to the commercial drug at all tested concentrations after 48 hours of incubation, while AS demonstrated 88.7% egg hatch inhibition. Aceton...
1 Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agric... more 1 Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, PMB 2373, Makurdi, Benue StateNigeria, 2 Department of Animal Health and Production, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; 3 Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; 4 Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
ABSTRACT Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to st... more ABSTRACT Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the effect of dietary protein on their response to mixed infections of trychostrongyles. The goats were divided into 4 groups (A-D), each containing 5 animals. Groups A and B were fed forages with concentrate feed containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas Groups C and D were fed forages alone. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000 L3, 2000 L3, and 4000 L3 was given consecutively at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for 4 weeks to groups A and D. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out fecal egg counts (FECs) twice weekly. All of the animals were humanely sacrificed 42 days aft er infection, and the abomasum and intestines were recovered and processed for worm recovery. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the dietary protein and body weight gain and body condition score. However, the dietary protein had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on the packed cell volume (PCV), total serum protein, and serum albumin levels. The supplemented goats shed significantly fewer helminth eggs in the feces and harbored lighter burdens of the 2 worm species compared to unsupplemented goats. There was a negative significant correlation between the worm burden and the body weight and body condition scores. The correlation between the worm burden and PCV was also negative but not significant, while that between the worm burden and FEC was positive and significant. Infection significantly affected the feed intake but did not affect water intake. These results therefore demonstrate that nutritional supplementation enhances the resistance of WAD goats to mixed infections of H. contortus and T. colubriformis and results in their improved performance.
Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the e... more Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the effect of dietary protein on their response to mixed infections of trychostrongyles. The goats were divided into 4 groups (A-D), each containing 5 animals. Groups A and B were fed forages with concentrate feed containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas Groups C and D were fed forages alone. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000 L3, 2000 L3, and 4000 L3 was given consecutively at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for 4 weeks to groups A and D. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out fecal egg counts (FECs) twice weekly. All of the animals were humanely sacrificed 42 days after infection, and the abomasum and intestines were recovered and processed for worm recovery. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the dietary protein and body weight gain and body condition score. However, the dietary protein had no significant (P &...
Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the e... more Twenty worm-free male West African dwarf (WAD) goats, 7-8 months of age, were used to study the effect of dietary protein on their response to mixed infections of trychostrongyles. The goats were divided into 4 groups (A-D), each containing 5 animals. Groups A and B were fed forages with concentrate feed containing 17.06% crude protein, whereas Groups C and D were fed forages alone. An escalating infection of 500 infective larvae (L3), 1000 L3, 2000 L3, and 4000 L3 was given consecutively at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively, for 4 weeks to groups A and D. Patency and level of infection were monitored by carrying out fecal egg counts (FECs) twice weekly. All of the animals were humanely sacrificed 42 days aft er infection, and the abomasum and intestines were recovered and processed for worm recovery. The results showed that there was a positive correlation between the dietary protein and body weight gain and body condition score. However, the dietary protein had no significant (P ...
The effects of single and/or concurrent H. bakeri and T. brucei infections on water consumption o... more The effects of single and/or concurrent H. bakeri and T. brucei infections on water consumption of lactating and non-lactating mice were investigated. Pregnant mice were grouped into four (A, B, C and D) comprising of six animals per group. Groups A, B and C were either infected with H. bakeri or T. brucei alone or with both parasites together. Group D served as pregnant uninfected control while a different group (E) was used as non-pregnant and uninfected control. Packed cell volumes (PCV), faecal egg counts (FEC), worm burden and water consumption of the mice were determined. Mean live-weights of surviving offspring and their numbers were recorded. Infected animals had lower PCV compared to the controls. However, lactating mice infected with both parasites had the least PCV. Mortalities occurred in the dual infected groups. Worm burden and FEC of mice with concurrent infections were significantly higher than that of the H. bakeri-only infected mice. Lactating mice consumed signifi...
Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances
Effect of hypertonic sodium chloride was studied in non water deprived Wistar albino rats. Twenty... more Effect of hypertonic sodium chloride was studied in non water deprived Wistar albino rats. Twenty (20) Wistar albino rats weighing between 128.4g and 470.2g were obtained from
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2011
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2012
To investigate correlates of resistance to GI nematode infection in Nigerian West African dwarf (... more To investigate correlates of resistance to GI nematode infection in Nigerian West African dwarf (WAD) sheep. Thirty three sheep were randomly assigned to two groups, A (n=27) which were used for experimental infections, and B (n=6) which served as uninfected control. Each infected animal received weekly escalating infections with infective larvae (60%Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) and 40%Trichostrongylus colubriformis (T. colubriformis) for 4 weeks. The responses of all the infected and control sheep were assessed by faecal egg count (FEC), worm burden (Wb), packed cell volume (PCV), body weight (Bwt), and body condition score (BCS). On the basis of their individual faecal egg output, Lambs in group A with epg ≤1,000 on any sampling day were classified as low faecal egg count (LFEC) phenotype (n=16), those with epg between 1,000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg > 10,000 as high feacal egg count (HFEC) phenotype (n=6). The difference between the FEC classes was highly significant (P=0.001). The BCS and weight gained at the end of the experiment by the control and LFEC sheep was significantly higher (P≤0.05) than those of the intermediate and HFEC phenotypes. There was a significant and negative correlation between the parasitological measures and the trio of BCS, PCV and Bwt of sheep. The result of the study indicated that the FEC, weight gain, PCV, and BCS are correlates and potential selection criteria of GI nematode resistant WAD sheep.
Veterinary Parasitology, 2012
Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sh... more Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sheep following trickle exposure to weekly escalating mixed infections with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at wk1, 1000 L(3) at wk2, 2000 L(3) at wk3 and 4000 L(3) at wk4. Thirty-three animals were randomly assigned to two groups namely, Group 1 (n=27) and Group 2 (n=6). Group 1 animals were used for experimental infections and Group 2 animals served as uninfected controls. Body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW), faecal egg counts (FEC) per gram of faeces and worm burden (Wb) were determined using standard procedures. Lambs in group 1 with epg ≤ 1000 were classified as strong responders (n=16), those with epg between 1000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg>10,000 on any sampling day were classified as weak responders (n=6). Based on this classification, the mean epg of lambs classified as strong responders was significantly lower (P<0.001) than the epg of lambs classified as weak responders. The body condition scores and body weights of the strong responder lambs were comparable with those of the uninfected control and they were significantly higher than those of the weak and intermediate responders from wk5 till the end of the experiment. There was an inverse and significant relationship between the average BCS of days 56 and 59 and the average FEC of days 56 and 59 (r(s)=-572; P=0.017; n=27) as well as with Wb (r(s)=-531; P=0.028; n=27). We concluded that changes in the body scores are good indicators of the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in the Nigerian WAD sheep.
Parasitology Research, 2012
The responses of the Nigerian West African Dwarf sheep to experimental infections with two of its... more The responses of the Nigerian West African Dwarf sheep to experimental infections with two of its most important gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes, namely, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were studied by means of two measures of parasitological response, namely, faecal egg count (FEC) and worm burden (Wb), and three measures of host pathology, namely, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight (Bwt) and body condition score (BCS). Following exposure to weekly escalating infections (60% H. contortus and 40% T. colubriformis) starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at week 1, 1,000 L(3) at week 2, 2,000 L(3) at week 3 and 4,000 L(3) at week 4, two distinctive worm burden response phenotypes were readily recognisable, namely, low Wb (LWb) and high Wb (HWb) phenotypes. The percentage of inoculums (adults and immature stages) recovered at necropsy were 3.75% and 33.08% respectively for H. contortus and T. colubriformis. The results showed that the FECs of the lambs belonging to the LWb phenotype were significantly lower than the FECs of their HWb counterpart. Among the measures of host pathology tested, the LWb phenotype sheep had similar Bwt, PCV and BCS to the uninfected control sheep, whereas the HWb phenotype sheep had significantly lower values than their LWb counterparts and the control sheep towards the end of the experiment. There was a highly significant positive correlation between worm burden transformed as log(10) (Wb + 10) and the average of D56 and D59 FECs. A highly significant negative correlation also was obtained between log(10) (Wb + 10) and the PCV, Bwt and BCS. The low percentage of H. contortus inoculums recovered at necropsy suggested that the sheep may be resistant to their most important GI nematode, H. contortus but less so to T. colubriformis.
Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2012
This study investigated the erythrocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma... more This study investigated the erythrocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic leaf extract of Azadirachta indica and diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried; selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study, viz: 7 mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5 mg/kg bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8 mg/kg bw DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had, in addition to the three groups derived from the dose-response study, four other groups, viz: uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000 mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7 mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control (group G). The parameters assessed were onset of parasitaemia (OP), level of parasitaemia (LOP), clearance of parasites posttreatment (COPPT), relapse of infection period (RIP), red blood cell counts (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV). There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in OP between the groups. A day following treatment, the LOP of groups A, B and C was found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of group D (p<0.05) which in turn was lower (p<0.05) than that of group E and G, respectively. The mean LOP of group E was significantly (p<0.05) lower than group G (p<0.05) 2 days posttreatment, and this trend continued throughout the experimental period. Mean COPPT of group D was significantly (p<0.05) longer than that of groups A, C and B. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean COPPT among groups B, C and A. The mean RIP of group D was significantly shorter (p<0.05) than group C, and that of group C was significantly shorter (p<0.05) than group A. There was no relapse of infection in group B rats. Group B rats had significantly higher (p<0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to other infected groups. Group E rats had significantly higher (p<0.05) PCV and RBC counts when compared to group G rats. It was concluded that dose combination of 125 mg/kg bw extract plus 7 mg/kg bw DDA led to significant enhancement of erythrocytic profile and potentiation of diminazene in its trypanocidal activity. This combination therapy proved to be better than single therapy of DDA.
Comparative Clinical Pathology, 2012
This study investigated the leucocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma b... more This study investigated the leucocytic profile of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei and treated with a combination of methanolic Azadirachta indica leaf extracts (MAILE) plus diminazene diaceturate (DDA). Acute toxicity study of the drug and extract combinations was carried. Selection of the best drug and extract combinations was carried out using 54 rats of both sexes separated into nine groups. Three dose combinations were derived from the selection of the best drug and extract combinations used for the final study viz, 7 mg/kg body weight (bw) DDA plus 125 mg/kg bw extract (group B), 3.5 mg/kg bw DDA plus 250 mg/kg bw extract (group C) and 1.8 mg/kg bw DDA plus 500 mg/kg bw extract (group D). The final study had in addition to the three groups derived from the dose-response study, four other groups viz, uninfected untreated negative control (group F), infected and treated with 3,000 mg/kg bw extract alone (group E), infected and treated with 7 mg/kg bw DDA alone (group A) and infected untreated positive control
Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sh... more Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sheep following trickle exposure to weekly escalating mixed infections with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at wk1, 1000 L(3) at wk2, 2000 L(3) at wk3 and 4000 L(3) at wk4. Thirty-three animals were randomly assigned to two groups namely, Group 1 (n=27) and Group 2 (n=6). Group 1 animals were used for experimental infections and Group 2 animals served as uninfected controls. Body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW), faecal egg counts (FEC) per gram of faeces and worm burden (Wb) were determined using standard procedures. Lambs in group 1 with epg ≤ 1000 were classified as strong responders (n=16), those with epg between 1000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg>10,000 on any sampling day were classified as weak responders (n=6). Based on this classification, the mean epg of lambs classified as strong responders was significantly lower (P<0.001) than the epg of lambs classified as weak responders. The body condition scores and body weights of the strong responder lambs were comparable with those of the uninfected control and they were significantly higher than those of the weak and intermediate responders from wk5 till the end of the experiment. There was an inverse and significant relationship between the average BCS of days 56 and 59 and the average FEC of days 56 and 59 (r(s)=-572; P=0.017; n=27) as well as with Wb (r(s)=-531; P=0.028; n=27). We concluded that changes in the body scores are good indicators of the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in the Nigerian WAD sheep.