This study was conducted to determine the incidence rate of the slaughter of pregnant goats in Nsukka slaughterhouse, which has become a major cruel occurrence in Nigeria

Synergistic interaction of adsorbents in reducing the adverse impacts of mycotoxin on performance and proximate composition of broiler feeds was investigated. Fungal growth was induced by sprinkling water on the feed. S. cerevisiae + bentonite, kaolin + bentonite or S. cerevisiea + kaolin adsorbent combinations (1.5 g/kg feed) were added and the feeds were stored in black polythene bags. An untreated group was kept as a positive control while fresh uncontaminated feed was used as a negative control. Mycotoxins were extracted from the feeds and quantified using reverse phase HPLC. Proximate composition, nutrient digestibility of the feeds, feed intake and weight gain of the broilers were measured. Deoxynivalenol (DON) concentration in the contaminated/untreated feed was 347 µg/kg while aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was 34 µg/kg. Addition of bentonite and kaolin in the contaminated feed reduced AFB1 and DON to significantly lower levels. Feed intake and weight gain were low in the broilers fed the contaminated feed. The carbohydrate level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 62.31 to 40.10%, crude protein digestibility dropped from 80.67 to 49.03% in the fresh feed and contaminated feed respectively. Addition of the adsorbents (S. cerevisiae and bentonite) significantly (p < 0.05) improved these parameters.

Background and Aim: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, bentonite and kaolin were used to reduce the adverse effects of mold-contaminated diet on broilers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of S. cerevisiae, bentonite, and kaolin in reducing the adverse effects of mold (fungal) contaminated diet on broilers. Specifically, we investigated the histopathological, hematological, and serum biochemical changes associated with broilers fed mold-contaminated diets supplemented with these three adsorbents. We also isolated and identified the common fungal contaminants in the poultry feeds as well as the mycotoxins they produced. Materials and Methods: Hundred broilers (3-weeks-old) were randomly grouped into five dietary treatments, basal feed (negative control), feed contaminated with mold, mold-contaminated feed+S. cerevisiae, mold-contaminated feed+bentonite, and mold-contaminated feed+kaolin. The fungal contaminants in the feeds were isolated and molecularly identified while the mycotoxins in the feed where analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Blood samples of birds from each group were analyzed for hematology and serum biochemistry. The liver, spleen, kidney, and bursa of Fabricius of the birds were excised and analyzed for histopathological changes. Results: The most common fungal contaminants in the feeds were Penicillium (33.3%) species, followed by Aspergillus species (22.2%). The mold-contaminated feed had the highest number of fungal contaminants, 55.6%, while the negative control (basal feed group) had none. Total aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol were high in the mold-contaminated feed (53.272 μg/kg and 634.5 μg kg, respectively), but these were reduced by the addition of adsorbents to the feed. The birds fed mold-contaminated feed had significantly (p<0.05) reduced red blood cell count counts, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin but increased white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Liver enzyme activity (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) and cholesterol concentration increased significantly (p<0.05) in the group fed mold-contaminated feed while the serum albumin and total protein decreased significantly (p<0.05) in comparison with the negative control. Adverse histopathological changes were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and bursa of Fabricius in the group fed mold-contaminated feed. Addition of S. cerevisiae, bentonite or kaolin in the mold-contaminated feed ameliorated these toxic effects. Conclusion: The observed histopathological lesions were consistent with mycotoxicosis in birds and were mild in the adsorbent treated groups. Kaolin had a higher protective effect against mycotoxicosis than the two other adsorbents.

The study explored the effectiveness of physic nut (Jatropha curcas) in the control of cowpea weevils (Callosobruchus maculatus). The repellence, mortality rates and progeny emergence of weevils were observed, as well as germination viability of the treated cowpea seeds. The study adopted experimental research, using complete randomized block design. The results showed that seed powder extract of physic nut is effective in disrupting the normal activities of the weevils. However, the repellence and mortality rates of the weevils depended on the dosage administered and the duration of exposure to the treatment. The treatment was found to be most effective at 20 g, where repellence and mortality rates were 53.3% and 60.0%, respectively, while 0 progeny emergence occurred during the experimental period. The treated seeds were also found to be viable for planting as there was 100% seed germination. The study adds to the literature on innovative, sustainable and indigenous pest control measures in post-harvest storage of edible seeds in Africa.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the key technology-enhanced learning (TEL) tools vocational and technical education (VTE) teachers should learn to promote sustainable skills acquisition and graduate employability, the experiences of VTE teachers about TEL tools and the extent of the relationship between years of teaching experience and the experiences of VTE teachers about TEL tools. Design/methodology/approach: The sample for the study is 318 teachers from 6 tertiary institutions that offer the majority of VTE programs in Nigeria. The instrument for data collection was developed by the researchers and was validated by five experts. The overall reliability index of the instrument is 0.81. Findings: The study found that in order to use TEL tools, VTE teachers must learn effective instructional delivery and found the experiences of VTE teachers with TEL tools as well as the relationship between teachers' years of experience and experiences of VTE teachers about TEL tools. Also, the study found that access to TEL tools mediates the relationship between VTE teachers' utilization of TEL tools and their performance in utilization of TEL tools. Originality/value: VTE teachers need to learn how to use TEL tools for effective online instructional delivery during and post-emergency situations.