Research
Effects of Sources of Protein on Productive Performance and Immune Response in Commercial Broiler
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different protein supplemented feed (animal protein, plant protein and combination of animal protein and plant protein) on the growth performance of broiler and the immune response of the birds against Newcastle Disease (ND). A total of 99 broiler birds were divided into 3 groups, each group consist of 33 individuals. Rations supplemented with animal protein, plant protein and combination of animal protein and plant protein were formulated for 3 treatment groups. Newcastle Disease vaccine was administered according to the vaccination schedule. Growth performance was measured using Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and immune response against ND using Haemaglutination Inhibition (HI) test. There was significant difference in growth performance due to variation in protein source of the supplied ration FCR was found 2.06, 1.64 and 1.68 for group A, B and C respectively. Antibody titre of the birds against ND vaccine virus was highest at day 7 is 7.10 and at day 28 is 6.90 in group-A birds supplemented with animal protein. The finding shows that immune response in broilers against ND depends on the protein source of the ration and animal protein is the best to have strong immunity.
Combined use of Herb Extract as Anthelmintic for Controlling Gastro- Intestinal Parasites and Hemoto-Biochemical Effect on Sheep
This study was conducted on sheep for the evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy of some selected indigenous medicinal plants comparison with synthetic anthelmintic of ivermectin (0.1%). Three (3) medicinal plants Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) and Clove (Eugeniu caryophyllus) were selected. Crude aqueous extracts (CAE) and Crude methanol extract (CME) were prepared separately for in vivo screening against gastro instestinal parasites in sheep during July to December, 2015. Sixteen (16) naturally gastrointestinal parasites infested sheep (>840 EPG) were selected age between 6 to 24 months. The sheep population was divided into four (4) groups (A, B, C and D) which consisted of four (4) sheep in each group. Group A was control and group B, C and D were treated groups. Stock solution was prepared by following the herbs extraction standard procedure. Combined herbal anthelmintic dose was prepared at the ratio of 1: 2 : 2 (neem: bitter gourd: clove) to get better result instead of single use. In vivo screening, the extracts efficacy was observed @ 1ml/kg body weight at concentration (100 mg/ml) on day 0 and 7. The egg per gram (EPG) load was counted by using the McMaster egg counting technique on day 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28. Continuous reduction of EPG load observed at post-treatment period of group B, C and D (89%, 86 % and 90.7 %), respectively on day 28, in compared to day 0. Significant differences (p≤0.05) were observed among the treated groups. Conversely, in control group A, the EPG load sharply increased, ranging from 947.5 at day 0 to 1572.5 at day 28 but the differences were not significantly differed (p≥0.05). The Hb (%), PCV, TLC and TEC increased and ESR (mm/1st hr) decreased that was significant (p≤0.05) among the treated groups. In leukocytes count, the eosinophils (6.2%) and basophils (0.2%) decreased at the 28th day. The levels of AST, ALT and creatinine also varied significantly (p≤0.05) among the treated groups on days 7, 14, 2
