Determining Factors and Zootechnical Output of Biosecurity Practices in Fish Farms in the Wouri Division, Cameroon.

Biosecurity practice limits the occurrence of diseases and economic losses in fish farms. The objective of this study was to characterize fish farming in the Administrative Division of Wouri, Cameroon (3°97'04″-3°58'13″N; 9°76'78″-9°46'4.3″E) and assess the biosecurity practices. A cross-sectional biosecurity audit was then conducted in 33 fish farms from March to May 2022. The "snow ball" technique, on-farm observations, and face-to-face interviews of farm managers using a semistructured questionnaire were used for data collection. The results showed that most of the fish farmers were between 18 and 40 years of age (63.64%) and not trained in fish farming (60.61%). The lack of finance (57.57%) was the main constraint to the biosecurity practice. The high fish mortality rate (>15%) was recorded in 66% of the farms. Overall, the compliance rate (CR = 40.52 ± 14.70%) and adoption rate (AR = 40.40 ± 30.10%) of biosecurity measures were intermediate. No type C farm or at the minor risk level of contamination was recorded. Farmers of 18 to 40 years of age (45.24 ± 14.75%) who attended higher school (43.83 ± 14.44%) and received training in fish farming (47.44 ± 14.39%) recorded a significant higher CR. The CR and AR were significantly higher for the isolation component (CR = 60.17 ± 19.81%; AR = 60.17 ± 25.68%) followed by traffic control (CR = 53.53 ± 25.87%; AR = 53.53% ± 34.86) and sanitation (CR = 27.70 ± 19.70%; AR = 29.84 ± 26.00%). A strong (R 2 = 0.725), positive, and significant (p=0.019) linear relationship was found between the level of education of fish farmers and the biosecurity compliance rate while the health status of fish was weakly (R 2 = 0.207), positively, and significantly (p=0.017) influenced by the compliance rate. Fish farming is an income-generating activity that still requires socioeconomic, technical, and institutional efforts for optimal productivity. The Cameroonian government should emphasize on the education, training, and capacity building of farmers on biosecurity practices to minimise the introduction, establishment, and spread of diseases.

Oxidative Effects of Potassium Dichromate on Biochemical, Hematological Characteristics, and Hormonal Levels in Rabbit Doe (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity induced by the increasing doses of potassium dichromate in rabbit doe. Twenty-eight adult does of 6 months of age were divided into four groups (A, B, C, and D; n = 7), with comparable average body weight (bw). Group A rabbits received only distilled water daily and served as a control, while groups B, C, and D received, respectively, 10 mg/kg bw, 20 mg/ kg bw, and 40 mg/kg bw of potassium dichromate via gavage for 28 days, after which animals were anesthetized with ether vapor and sacrificed. Blood samples were obtained via cardiac puncture and collected without anticoagulant for biochemical dosages and with anticoagulant (EDTA) for complete blood count. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2) were dosed in serum and in homogenates of ovary with the help of AccuDiagTM ELISA kits from OMEGA DIAGNOSTICS LTD (Scotland, England) while respecting the immuno-enzymatic method. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver, kidney, ovary and uterus were measured. Hematology revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in mean values of hemoglobin and platelets while white blood cells and lymphocytes showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in exposed groups. No significant (p > 0.05) difference was registered in monocytes, red blood cells, hematocrits, and plaquetocrits values with respect to the control. No matter the organ considered, no significant (p > 0.05) change was recorded in weight and volume. Nephrotoxicity analysis registered a significant (p < 0.05) increase in urea and creatinine, unlike renal tissue protein, which decreased significantly (p < 0.05). However, hepatotoxicity registered no significant (p > 0.05) variation in aspartate aminotransferase but total protein, alanine aminotransferase, and total cholesterol increased significantly (p < 0.05), while hepatic tissue protein revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease. Analysis on reproductive parameters showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ovarian and uterine tissue proteins, as well as in follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and estradiol. Oxidative stress markers recorded no significant (p > 0.05) difference in glutathione reductase except in ovary where a significant (p < 0.05) decrease was seen when compared with the control, while catalase revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease, except in liver where there was no significant (p > 0.05) change. Superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde recorded a significant (p < 0.05) decrease and increase respectively, with respect to the control. Results obtained from this study showed that the reduction process of chromium in tissues may cause the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are involved in hematoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, and reproductive toxicity effects.

Prevalence and intensity of gastro-intestinal helminths in horses in the Sudano-Guinean climatic zone of Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand the biology and health impact of parasites affecting horses in the Western highlands of Cameroon. AIM: to evaluate the prevalence and intensity of infection of gastrointestinal helminths in these animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 894 horses (367 males and 527 females), and aged ≤1 to ≥7 years old were examined. A parasitological investigation of faeces was carried out using two techniques: concentration method of Full Born Willis (flotation in saturated solution of sodium chloride) and Mc Master Technique. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: From the results the overall prevalence was 100%. Nine species of nematode (Parascaris equorum, Oxyuris equi, Habronema sp., Strongyloides westeri, Dictyocaulus arnfieldi, Trichostrongylus axei, Cyathostome sp., Triodontophorus sp., Strongylus sp.) were identified with the prevalence of 18.48%, 16.94%, 2.99%, 6.05%, 5.22%, 7.75%, 12.49%, 1.09%, and 22.26%, respectively, and one species of cestode (Anoplocephala magna) with a prevalence of 6.73%. Strongylus sp. had the highest mean intensity of infection (1270±942) in female horses. Poly-parasitic infections (92.28%) were more common than mono-parasitic infections (7.72%).