Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Juveniles Fed Varying Inclusions of Defatted African Palm Weevils (Rhynchophorus phoenicis) Meal

A feeding trial was conducted to examine the dietary effects of using African Palm weevil in the diet of Catfish. Five experimental diets containing 40% crude protein were formulated, four of these diets contained defatted African palm weevil larvae meal at varying inclusion levels denoted as APW25%, APW50%, APW75% and APW100% while the diet with fish meal (APW0%) served as control diet. The experiment was conducted in triplicates for 10 weeks using 15 aquaria glass tanks with 10 fish per tank. The percentage weight gain was significantly different (P>0.05) across the fish fed experimental diets, with the highest percentage weight gain (1118.30g) recorded in fish fed diet APW100 and the lowest percentage weight gain (749.40g) recorded in fish fed diet FM. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not significantly different (P<0.05) across the experimental diet. The highest FCR value (1.48±0.42) was recorded in the fish fed diet FM while the lowest FCR value (1.06±0.01) was recorded in fish fed diet APW100. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the PER among the experimental diets. It could be concluded that defatted African palm weevil larvae meal in the diet in replacement of fishmeal.in the diet Clarias gariepinus juvenile.

Early Weight Gain in Infants With Cleft Lip and Palate Treated With and Without Nasoalveolar Molding: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To assess weight gain of infants with cleft lip and/or palate (CL ± P) treated with nasoalveolar molding (NAM). Design: Retrospective, case–control chart review. Setting: Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon. Patients, Participants: Infants with nonsyndromic CL ± P and noncleft controls. Interventions: Prior to primary lip surgery, NAM was either included (+NAM) or not included (−NAM) in the cleft treatment protocol. Main Outcome Measure(s): Weight gain and percentage weight gain relative to initial weight were compared among +NAM, −NAM, and control groups from birth to 7 months and from birth to 36 months. Results: Comparing +NAM and −NAM groups, no significant difference in weight or percentage weight gain was found in either time window. Compared to controls, from birth to 7 months, both CL ± P groups weighed less ( P < .001), while percentage weight gain was greater for the +NAM ( P < .001) and did not differ for −NAM. From birth to 36 months relative to controls, weight for +NAM showed no significant difference and −NAM weighed less ( P < .01), while percentage weight gain was greater for both CL ± P groups ( P < .001). Conclusions: Comparisons of CL ± P infants treated with and without NAM showed that with the NAM appliance, despite its added complexity, there was no adverse impact on weight gain. Comparisons to noncleft, control infants suggests that NAM treatment may have a beneficial impact on weight gain.

Performance Indices and Physiological Changes in Pearl Guinea Fowls (Numida Meleagris) Supplemented with Molasses through Drinking Water

The study was aimed at evaluating the performance indices and physiologic changes in pearl guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) supplemented with molasses through drinking water. A total of thirty-two (n=32) day-old pearl guinea fowls raised to 12-week-old were used for the study. The fowls were randomly allocated to two groups (control and experimental) of 16 fowls each, with each having two replicates. Experimental fowls were given 5 mL molasses per litre of drinking water for 8 weeks, while control fowls were given only drinking water. Performance indices which include: feed consumption, water intake and percentage weight gain were measured. Rectal temperature was measured and blood samples were collected to evaluate the changes in haematological parameters, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations. Results revealed that the molasses-treated fowls had significantly (P<0.05) higher percentage weight gain, blood total protein, packed cell volume and mean corpuscular volume compared to control. However, the feed consumptionwas significantly lower (P<0.05) in the molasses-treated fowls compared to control. In both groups, rectal temperature increased significantly (P<0.05) during the afternoon hours and was lower (P<0.05) in molasses-treated fowls than control during the evening hours. There was no significant difference in other haematological parameters, serum glucose, T4 and T3 betweengroups. In conclusion, molasses supplementation decreased feed consumption, improved body weight gain and enhanced nutritional status and erythropoiesis in guinea fowls.

Comparison of reproductive performance of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from three Indian rivers

A study was conducted to compare the reproductive performance of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758) collected from three different rivers viz., Krishna in Andhra Pradesh, Godavari in Maharashtra and Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. Twenty pairs of brooders from each location were randomly selected and induced with pituitary extract (P) and ovaprim (O). Reproductive performance in terms of stripping percentage, pseudo gonado-somatic index, spawning, fecundity, fertilisation rate, hatching rate and survival rate as well as fry rearing performance in terms of percentage weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and survival rate were monitored. Brooders collected from Godavari exhibited significantly (p<0.05) higher values for all the reproductive performances indicators compared to brooders collected from Narmada and Krishna rivers. But fishes collected from Krishna River exhibited significantly higher (p<0.05) fry survival. Fry produced from Godavari brooders attained highest (p<0.05) percentage weight gain (1085.88±37.41), SGR (17.61±0.19) and fry survival rate (43.67±1.45) in comparison to Narmada. Results clearly indicated that reproductive performance varied significantly among the brooders collected from the three different rivers.