Use of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for screening cattle for Brucella antibodies in Nigeria.

The prevalence of Brucella antibodies in settled Fulani cattle herds in Kaduna State, Nigeria, was determined by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Out of a total of 762 animals drawn randomly from 40 cattle herds in various areas of the state, 50 (6.6%) tested positive. There was no significant difference (P<0.01) in the number of reactors between male and female animals. Brucella antibodies were detected in animals in all areas of the state but prevalence was highest in Kaura area (26.8%) and was lowest in Zonkwa area (1.0%). Out of the 762 animals, 23 (3.0%) tested positive in the agglutination test (SAT) while 16 (2.1%) tested positive in the Rose-bengal plate test (RBTP). This study indicated that cattle in Nigeria have antibodies to Brucella tested by ELISA technique and that seropositive animals are located in distinct foci. The identification of these pockets of infection on a nation-wide basis will be crucial for future brucellosis control programmes.

Serum biochemistry of Zebu bulls and their Friesian crosses fed two planes of protein.

Twenty-one Bunaji (White Fulani, Zebu) and 21 Friesian X Bunaji cross-bred bull calves, approximately 6 months of age, were each divided after weaning into two groups and fed isocaloric rations containing 14.45% (high protein) and 8.51% (low protein) crude protein for 10 months. Serum samples were collected biweekly for 10 months and analysed for serum proteins. Age had no significant effect. The Bunaji had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher total protein, albumin, and alpha 1-globulin than Friesian X Bunaji. While there was no significant difference in body condition score between the two breeds, the Friesian X Bunaji had a significantly (P less than 0.05) higher growth rate. Animals on high protein diets had significantly (P less than 0.05) higher total protein, albumin, alpha 2-globulin, gamma-globulin and total globulin than those on low protein. However, alpha 1-globulin and beta-globulin were not significantly (P greater than 0.05) different for the two treatment groups.

Effect of chemotherapy on semen characteristics of Balami rams infected with Anaplasma ovis.

Six intact Balami rams were experimentally infected with Anaplasma ovis. Another six were infected one month after splenectomy and six others served as controls. Clinical manifestations of the disease, first observed between 5 to 7 days post-infection, were more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised-infected than in the intact-infected group. There was progressive deterioration in semen quality, which was also significantly more severe and prolonged in the splenectomised than in the intact-infected rams. Following treatment with long-acting terramycine, clinical recovery occurred earlier in the intact-infected (1-4 weeks) than in the splenectomised-infected group (5-7 weeks). A similar pattern was observed in post-treatment improvement in the sperimiogram. However, although the infected animals recovered clinically by 1-7 weeks post-treatment, restoration of the reproductive potential did not occur for 20 to 25 weeks. It appears that stress factors may aggravate the deliterious effects of anaplasmosis.

The effect of protein intake on the onset of puberty in Bunaji and Friesian x Bunaji crossbred bulls in Nigeria.

Twenty-one Bunaji (BJ) bulls and 21 Friesian x Bunaji (FRxBJ) crossbred bulls, approximately 6 mo of age were divided after weaning into two groups and fed isocaloric rations (2.40 ME Mcal/Kg/DM) containing crude protein levels of 14.45% (high protein) and 8.51% (low protein) for a period of 16 mo to determine the effect of protein intake on puberty. Animals on high protein diets ejaculated first motile spermatozoa and attained puberty at significantly (P < 0.05) earlier ages than those on low protein diets. Mean ages at puberty in mo for BJ on low and high protein diets were 15.50 +/- 0.51 and 14.82 +/- 0.68 and for FRxBJ, the ages were 17.79 +/- 0.82 and 12.94 +/- 0.60, respectively. The animals on high protein diets at point of puberty had significantly (P < 0.05) lighter body weights, smaller scrotal circumference, lower chest girth, better body condition score and better sperm quality than those on low protein. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in withers height or volume of semen at puberty for the two protein diets.

Theileria mutans infection in Nigerian cattle.

In a 12 year survey in the former Northern Provinces of Nigeria antibodies to Theileria mutans were found to have a prevalence rate of 32.6 to 85%. The indirect fluorescent antibody test was found to be more efficient than thin blood smear examination in detecting cattle exposed to T. mutans. The high prevalence of T. mutans infection was attributed to the high prevalence of Amblyomma species in the area under study.

Effect of level of nutrition on onset of puberty and conception rates of zebu heifers.

Sixty zebu heifers were divided into three equal groups and reared on isocaloric diets but on different levels of protein. The protein levels were 19.17% (high), 13.37% (medium; NRC recommendations) and 8.3% (low). All animals were examined weekly per rectum for the presence of follicles and corpora lutea and also checked daily for standing heat. The presence of a mature corpus luteum was considered to indicate the attainment of puberty. Body weight and pelvic dimensions were taken at biweekly intervals. Intact bulls were introduced to heifers after they reached puberty and once they reached 200 kg live weight. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out at 60, 90 and 120 days following introduction of bulls. Mean age at puberty for heifers in the high protein group (570.4 days), medium protein group (640.8 days) and low protein group (704.2 days) differed significantly (P<0.05). body weight at puberty for heifers in the high, medium and low protein groups was 207.1, 187.0 and 161.7 kg, respectively (P<0.05). Pelvic size at puberty was not influenced by the nutritional level. Conception rates of heifers in the three groups were influenced by level of nutrition. Pregnancy rates for the high protein group (58.8%), medium protein group (27.8%), and low protein group (16.7%) by 90-day post-breeding period were significantly different (P<0.05), but body weight at conception between the groups did not differ significantly. The results show that increasing the protein level in the diet is a means of improving the reproductive performance of zebu cattle.

Urinary excretion of protein by adult Yankasa rams.

Total urine was collected from 12 adult Yankasa rams for 13 days. The rams excreted a mean urine volume of 508-0 +/- 201-6 ml each day. The total solids concentration excreted in the urine averaged 9-0 +/- 5-2 g/100g of urine. All the 178 urine samples contained protein. The urinary total protein concentration varied from 0-6 to 2-8 mg/dl. The total protein excreted was 7-0 + 2-6 mg/day of which the globulin content was 3-3 +/- 1-2 mg; mucoprotein, 2-0 +/- 0-7 mg; albumin, 1-7 + 0.6 mg; and A/G ratio, 0-52 +/- 0.06. Electrophoretic analysis of the urinary proteins showed three components which were comparable on a mobility basis with the serum proteins, namely albumin, combined alpha- and beta-globulin, and gamma-globulin. The largest fraction of the urine protein was gamma-globulin. Protein excretion in the urine of adult Yankasa rams was much lower than that reported in sheep bred for temperate climates, a trait that would have survival value in their hot, dry, semi-arid environment.