Research Outputs

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    Assessment of the adaptation of Nguni goats to water stress
    (Elsevier, 2023-07-11) Akinmoladun, Oluwakamisi Festus; Mpendulo, C.T.; Ayoola, M.O.
    The recurring drought and limited rainfall patterns occasioned primarily by climate change in subSaharan African countries threaten sustainable animal agriculture. The irreversibility of this natural phenomenon calls for an intensive and urgent selection of adaptable breeds that can cope but with minimal compromise on production indices. A water scarcity simulation study was conducted to assess the adaptation potential of Nguni goats to regulated watering by evaluating their growth performance, tolerance to heat and water stress and blood indices during the dry summer months. Eighteen growing Nguni goats (average age: 1 year; BW: 19.25 ± 1.6 kg) were assigned equally to three treatments: W0, without water restriction (WR); W70, WR of 70% ad libitum water intake (WI); and W50, WR of 50% ad libitum WI. The experimental trial lasted for 75 d following a 14-day acclimatisation to the housing condition. Data on growth performance, body thermal gradient, skin temperature (ST) and rectal temperatures, respiratory rate (RR), body condition scores (BCs), linear body indices and blood biochemical indices were taken. The results showed that the final BW was not affected (P > 0.05) by the water restriction levels. The daily gain, DM intake and total BW gain were similar (P > 0.05) in groups W70 and W50. Body thermal gradient and ST were not affected (P > 0.05). The RR and BCs decreased (P < 0.05) with increasing water restriction levels. The body and rump lengths and sternum height were similar (P > 0.05) for groups W70 and W50. There is an haemocentration (W0 < W70 < W50; P < 0.05) of sodium, Chloride, urea, creatinine, total protein, and cholesterol with water restriction levels. Generally, most physiological variables assayed were similar (P > 0.05) in the water-stressed groups (W70 and W50). Overall, Nguni goats showed an adaptive capacity to tolerate limited water intake.
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    Commercial Day-Old Chicks in Nigeria Are Potential Reservoirs of Colistin- and Tigecycline-Resistant Potentially Pathogenic Escherichia coli
    (MDPI, 2024-11-10) Anyanwu, Madubuike Umunna; Ikenna-Ezeh, Nkechi Harriet; Okafor, Simeon Chibuko; Ezemuoka, Chinaza Francisca; Nwobi, Obichukwu Chisom; Ogunniran, Temitope Mofoluso; Obodoechi, Lynda Onyinyechi; Okorie-Kanu, Onyinye Josephine; Mgbeahuruike, Anthony Christian; Okosi, Ifeyinwa Riona; Jaja, Ishmael Festus
    Background: Frequent use of colistin (COL) and tetracyclines in the Nigerian poultry sector potentially triggers bacterial resistance against COL and tigecycline (TIG), which are last-line antibiotics used to treat multidrug-resistant infections. Aim/Objectives: This study aimed to isolate COL- and TIG-resistant E. coli from commercial day-old chicks distributed to poultry farmers in Nsukka Southeastern Nigeria, assess the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase by the isolates, and establish their pathogenic potentials. Materials and Methods: Non-duplicate cloacal swabs were systematically collected from 250 randomly selected day-old chicks. MacConkey agar with 1 µg/mL of COL and 16 µg/mL of tetracycline was used for the isolation of putative COL- and tetracycline-resistant E. coli, respectively. E. coli isolates were confirmed biochemically using the API20E Gram-negative identification kit and molecularly by polymerase chain reaction targeting the uidA gene. Phenotypic COL resistance was established using COL agar and COL disc elution tests, while TIG insusceptibility was determined with disc diffusion. ESBL and carbapenemase production was assessed by double-disc synergy and modified carbapenem inactivation methods, respectively. Pathogenic potentials were determined using phenotypic methods. Results: COL- and TIG-resistant E. coli was recovered from 95 (38.0%) and 62 (24.8%) swabs from the 250 chicks, respectively. None of the isolates were potential ESBL or carbapenemase producers. The COL-resistant isolates displayed pathogenic potentials such as biofilm formation, haemagglutination, cell surface hydrophobicity, surface layer, and gelatinase activities at rates of 30.7%, 8.4%, 33.7%, 23.5%, and 17.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the TIG-resistant isolates exhibited their respective potentials at rates of 47.0%, 21.0%, 35.5%, 58.1%, and 43.6%. Red, dry, and rough (RDAR) was the predominant curli fimbriae, and the cellulose morphotype portrayed by both the COL- and TIG-unsusceptible potential biofilm-producing isolates. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a significant percentage of commercial day-old chicks distributed to farmers in Nsukka, southeastern Nigeria, are colonized by potentially pathogenic COL- and TIG-resistant E. coli, which could spread to humans and the environment.
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    Dairy farmers’ knowledge about milk-borne zoonosis in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa
    (PAGEpress, 2024-01-22) Diniso, Yanga Simamkele; Jaja, Ishmael Festus
    Foodborne zoonosis is a longstanding global issue that limits and continues to threaten the food production industry and public health in several countries. The study’s objective was to evaluate the dairy farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about milkborne pathogens in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. A total of 139 dairy farmers were interviewed using a semi-structured online questionnaire. The pathogens of interest were Brucella spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Cryptosporidium. Only 20.9% of dairy farmers reported knowledge of Brucella spp. as a milk-borne pathogen. The most known pathogen was E. coli (54.7%), followed by Listeria spp. (41.0%), Staphylococcus spp. (38.8%), and Salmonella spp. (35.3%). In this study, knowledge of milk-borne pathogens was statistically associated (p<0.05) with workplace position. Only a few participants (37.2%) showed knowledge of abortion as an important clinical sign of foodborne pathogens. Also, 84.1% of dairy farmers indicated that they consume unpasteurized milk and sour milk (77%). Some respondents (18.0%) do not believe assisting a cow during calving difficulty without wearing gloves is a risk factor for zoonosis. Knowledge assessment is essential in developing countries that have experienced a foodborne outbreak, such as South Africa. There is an urgent need to educate dairy farmers about milk-borne zoonosis to minimize the threat to food security and public health.
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    Effect of sodium levels on growth performance, haematological indices and carcass characteristics of Japanese quail in a humid tropical environment
    (ReseachersLinks, 2024-10-07) Akinmoladun, Oluwakamisi Festus; Ikusika, Olusegun O.; Mpendulo, Conference T.
    Electrolytes, including sodium, are required for optimum performance, and their imbalance can generate acidosis or alkalosis, thus making the metabolic pathways in the animal organism inefficient. This research aimed to evaluate the optimum sodium requirements for growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica). Two hundred growing quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates, with eight birds each. The treatment consisted of a basal diet (control) containing 0.101% of Na in the diet. In the remaining treatment groups, sodium carbonate was supplemented to reach levels of 0.144, 0.187, 0.231, and 0.274% of Na. After the 20-d of the feeding trial, data obtained on growth performance (final weight (FW), total weight gain (TWG), total feed intake (TFI), nutrients intake), selected blood indices (packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), differential counts (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils) and carcass characteristics (dressing %, eviscerated weight, drumstick, chest, back) were taken and subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, v 26) software. TWG, TFI, AFI, Total protein and energy intake were highest (P<0.05) at 0.187%, and the FW was lowest (P<0.05) at 0.101% of Na in the diet, respectively. Similar (P>0.05) RBC, heterophil and monocytes were recorded for dietary Na supplementation range of 0.144% to 0.274%. Dietary Na supplementation of either 0144% or 0.187% produced the highest (P<0.05) eviscerated weight, chest and back were highest (P<0.05). The relative organs’ (liver, heart, gizzard and neck) weights were similar (P>0.05) irrespective of dietary Na supplementation. In conclusion, the performance of the Japanese quail from 22 to 42 days appears to be at an optimum range of 0.187% to 0.231% for dietary Na supplementation.