Hematological, serum biochemical and histopathological effects of selected herbs and combinations on Trypanosoma brucei infected West African dwarf sheep

Olatunde OA, Jegede HO, Ameen SA. 2021. Hematological, serum biochemical and histopathological effects of selected herbs and combinations on Trypanosoma brucei infected West African dwarf sheep. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 19: 10-16. The present work was carried out to study the hematological, serum biochemical and histopathological effects of selected herbal diets on trypanosome infected West African dwarf sheep. Five herbal incorporated diets were tested where A is control diet, B is Citrus aurantifolia; C is Ocimum gratissimum, D is Vernonia amygdalina + Citrus aurantifolia and E is Ocimum gratissimum + Vernonia amygdalina. Sheep on Diets E, A, C, B, and D consumed 856.4g/d, 830g/d, 750.0g/d. 734.0g/d and 687.0g/d respectively showing more acceptability to diet E. Additionally, sheep on Diet E was highest in RBC, WBC, Hb, lymphocyte, PCV and basophils. The least hematological indices were recorded for the animals on Control diet (A) showing that all herbal diets improved blood indices of the infected sheep. The ALP concentration was significantly different (17.000i.u/l) in Diet B compared to other Diets while the least ALP was noted for sheep on Diets A and B. Herbs and combinations used in this study significantly improved both hematological and pathological lesions seen in experimental trypanosomosis caused by Trypanosoma brucei infection in sheep. Best results were gotten from Diet E combinations.

OPTIMAL BREEDING AGE FOR THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF SHEEP IN IBADAN

Observations on the age at first breeding of West African Dwarf Sheep at the University of Ibadan. Nigeria showed that the optimal age and weight at 1st breeding of young ewes was not less than eleven months and at least 13kg respectively When mated earlier, the incidence of abortion in­creased and lambs tended to the smaller at birth. In ewes mated at older ages the lengthening of the generation internal was unacceptable. The relalionuship between weight (4 ) and age (X) from four to 56 weeks was estitnated as: Y (kg) = 3.12 + 9.62 x — 0.02 x 2 + 0.0002 x 3 for singles. or Y =2.59 + 0.46 x = 0.01 x2 + 0.0001 x 3 for Mins.

Endogenous Losses of Nitrogen and Protein Requirement for Maintenance of Sheep

FOUR fistulated and four intact West African dwarf Sheep, maintained on hay and concentrate supplements were used for a study of metabolic faecal nitrogen (MEN) endogenous urinary nitrogen (EUN). The composition of the faecal losses was examined. The values obtained enabled calculation of nitrogen requirement of the sheep for maintenance, as well as the value of the experimental rations in the nutrition of the sheep. Values of MFN obtained by two methods were 3.31 and 3.10 g/kg Dry matter (DM) intake. Endogenous urinary nitrogen value was 0.024 g/day per metabolic weight (Wkg0.75.) Analysis of the faeces of the sheep showed that 21.1% of faecal nitrogen (N) were present as microbial and endogenous nitrogen (MEN) and 17.3% was present as water-soluble nitrogen. The biological values (BV) of the rations ranged from 85.7% to 100.0% and the digestibility for maintenance, were 1.20 and 0.41 g/day/Wkg 0.75 during the feeding trials. Values obtained for endogenous N losses and N requirement for low maintenance were low compared with reported values and this may indicate adaptation of the dwarf sheep for survival under inadequate dietary protein supply.

The West African Dwarf Sheep I. Reproductive Performance and Growth

THE study of the West African Dwarf flock at the University of Ibadan revealed that these sheep under moderately improved management, but without a breeding and selection programe were considerably better than they have been generally given credit for. West African Dwarf ewes are prolific and early maturing. The sheep are small and have finished their growth by the age of two years. Average daily gain up to three months was 85 g and from three months to two years, 31 g. Mortality of lambs with 20% up to three months of age, however, is still too high and should be reduced by improved pest and disease control.

The Reproductive Performance of the Nigerian Dwarf Sheep

THREE of the most important parameters of reproduction in sheep, the age at first lambing, the lambing interval and the number of lambs born per ewe at each lambing, were analysed from the herdbook of the breeding flock of the University of Ibadan for the period - 1968 to 1974. The means were as follows: 1. age at first lambing: 424.9 (310-363 days) 2. lambing interval: 234.4 (151-571 days) 3. number of lambs at birth 1.4 (1-3) Of the 603 lambings recorded, 38 percent resulted in twins and 4 percent in triplets. The percentage of multiple births increased with the number of lambings an ewe had completed. The wide ranges in performance indicate that there is scope for improvement of the reproductive potential of this breed of sheep through improved management and or through selection.

The West African Dwarf Sheep II. Carcass Traits Mutton Quality

CARCASSES of thirty African Dwarf ewes had a yield of 42.5%, about 5 mm backfat thickness and a loin eye of about 8cm2 Primal cuts made up 85% of the carcass. The best carcasses came from ewes slaughtered between two and four years of age. Average composition of retail cuts was 66.5% muscle, 26.5% bone and 7.0% fat. Young ewes were superior to young rams both in dressing percent (yield) and primal cuts. The ewes dressed 44% as compared to 40%; their retail cuts contained 67% muscle and 26% bone against 65% and 28% respectively for rams. Compared with mutton sheep of the temperate zone the West African Dwarf stand only 4/5 as high and are 2/3 long, while weighing only 1/4 to 1/3 that of European sheep. Yet the leg, the preferred cut, was 36% of the dressed carcass is compared to European mutton.

Effects of Leucaena leucocephala supplementation to basal hay on Energy and Protein metabolism in West African. Dwarf sheep

Energy and protein utilization and quantitative retention of protein, fat and energy was investigated with twelve castrated West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep averaging (23.0 h 2.4 kg BW) in nitrogen and energy balance trials. Dried leaves of Leucaena leucocephala were offered as supplement at two levels 25% (diet 2) and 50% (diet 3) of dry matter intake (DM1), replacing hay in the basal hay diet. The basal hay diet without supplementation was the control. Measurements were performed by means of nitrogen and carbon balances and with the use of indirect calorimetry The digestibility and utilization of protein were influenced (P<0.05) by supplementation. Metabolisability of energy (ME/ GE) was on the average 42.9 (SEM 4.3)% being significantly (P<0.05) different among treatments. Diet 2 had a higher (P<0.05) retained protein (9.6 g/d) compared with the control diet and hence a superior (P<0.05) protein utilization than the control and diet 3, respectively. It was concluded that Leucaena leuccocephala improved protein utilization and retention in WAD sheep.

PUBERAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGERIAN DWARF SHEEP

THE Incidence of the first behavioural oestrus (puberty) in 28 ewe lambs was investigated to determine the effect of the plane of nutrition on it. The ewes were randomly alloted and reared on two planes of nutrition: one exclusively on roughage (grazing and bay) the second roughage supplemented with concentrate at the rate of 454g a day from weaning to puberty. The ewe lambs were checked for standing heat with two vasectomised rams twice daily - mornings and evenings. The age and body weight at puberty and the average daily gain from weaning to puberty In unsupplemented ewes were 339.5 ± 7.8 days, 14.6 ± 0.9kg and 29.4 ± 4.7g respectively. The corresponding figures for the supplemented ewes were 262.0 ± 16.2 days, 16.2 ± 0.7kg and 73.0 ± 6.6g. The ewe lambs born as singles attained puberty at a younger age but lambs fed supplemented concentrate ration had a significantly higher growth rate and attained puberty at a significantly younger age and higher body weight than ewe lambs fed on roughage only. The durations of early postpuberal oestrus and oestrous cycle were 41.03 ± 2.94 hours and 18.00 ± 0.63 days respectively.

PUBERAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGERIAN DWARF SHEEP

Testicular measurements were made on the testis of 47 ram lambs aged between 2 and 36 weeks and 4 to 14kg body weight in situ and after excision, with a view to assessing both the growth and development of the testis and how closely the actual measurements on the excised testis could be approximated by those made on the testis of live rams. The results showed that the measurements made on the live animals were very closely related to the actual measurements on the excised testis but that the precision in this improved with increase in size of the testis. Testis growth could be adequately monitored by linear measurements of the circumference, width and length of the testis.