Glyphosate formulations, widely applied non‐selective systemic herbicides, are progressively becoming the most controversial pesticides on the market due the adverse effects they pose to humans and environment. The information on these potential hazardous effects to the handlers of the pesticide remains obscure. This study investigated effects of glyphosate‐based herbicide on growth performance, seminal parameters and hemato‐biochemical profiles in male guinea pig. Forty sexually mature male guinea pigs weighing between 393.3 and 418.4 g were divided into four groups of 10 animals each and orally administered 0, 186, 280 and 560 mg/kg body weight of WILLOSATE daily for 60 days. Daily feed intake and body weight gain were recorded. At the end of experimental period all animals were humanely sacrificed, and blood samples and vital organs were collected for appropriate analysis. Results showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in body weight gain (−102.2%), final body weight (−9.8%) and feed intake (−13.1%) of animals following sub‐chronic exposure of WILLOSATE. The weights of the liver and kidney increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 25.4% and 28.8%, respectively, while testicular weights decreased (p < 0.05) by 24% with increasing doses of WILLOSATE. A decrease in sperm motility (−67.9%), viability (−52.7%) and concentration per vas deferens (−40.7%), and an increase in sperm major (28.1%) and minor (45.3%) morphological aberrations were recorded in WILLOSATE – exposed guinea pigs when compared to controls. There was a dose‐dependent increase (p < 0.05) in MCV and WBC and a decrease in Hb content and RBC, as well as serum content in total protein (−11.8%). The serum content of cholesterol (37.8%), urea (87.1%), creatinine (22.4%), ALAT (74.2%) and ASAT (88.7%) were significantly higher in treated groups compared to controls. These results point toward the toxic effects of WILLOSATE on vital organs and reproductive function of the body at high doses and long‐term exposure.

Heat stress is reported to have deleterious effects on rabbit physiology by impairing reproductive performances arising from free radical production due to oxidative stress. Plant extracts have been listed among efficient and healthy strategies for alleviating the effects of free radicals in the body of an animal. Numerous studies have documented the medicinal value of Moringa oleifera on various body functional systems although most of these data have not been scientifically validated. The growing concern of heat stress owing to the effects of global warming has affected animal productivity and even reproductive health, yet mitigation measures are still scanty. To this end, we investigated the efficacy of Moringa oleifera aqueous seed extract on selected in the alleviation of morphofunctional impairments on functional systems of the body. Here, we quantified the effects of Moringa oleifera seed extracts on reproductive performances, hormonal profile, and ovarian histology in the management of heat stress in female rabbits. We were particularly interested in testing the hypothesis that Moringa oleifera seed extracts do not have medicinal value in the mitigation of oxidative stress accompanying heat-stressed animals and, therefore, affecting growth performance and reproductive value. Twenty-eight female rabbits aged 6 months and weighing between 2015.6 and 2322.7 g were randomly assigned to four treatment groups of temperature, relative humidity, temperature humidity index, and M. oleifera seed extracts as follows: T0: ambient temperature (18–24°C), 59 ± 0.48%, 23.6 ± 1.52; T1, T2, and T3: 35–36°C, 64 ± 0.6%, 32.5 ± 0.7, followed by 100, 200, and 0 mg/kg b.w of M. oleifera seed extracts. Artificial heat was introduced in each rabbit cage from 08:00 h to 16:00 h. Reproductive performances related to female rabbits and relevant biodata of their young ones were recorded. All animals were sacrificed at the end of 80 days of experiments, and blood was collected for hormonal assays and ovary tissues for histology. Data on hormones and reproductive parameters of adult females as well as parameters related to kid performance and milk yield were subjected to one-way ANOVA, and significant differences among treatment subjects were analyzed using Tukey's post-hoc test at 5% significance level. The results revealed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in food consumption, body weight, and body weight gain in pregnant and lactating female rabbits exposed to heat stress. A decrease in fur removal by mothers, litter size from birth to weaning, litter weight, kid body weight, and body weight gain in adult rabbits submitted to heat stress was observed. The findings were also reflected on weekly milk yield and daily milk efficiency as well as serum hormone levels. Following administration of M. oleifera seed extracts at 200 mg/kg b.w., there was significant increase (P < 0.05) in these parameters. On the contrary, an increase (P < 0.05) in the number of services per conception, milk intake, and serum progesterone level was initially observed in the same subjects, but upon administration of M. oleifera seed extracts, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) on these measures. Ovarian histology of animals at T0 and T2 treatments showed structural features comparable to those of controls. Overall, our results show that administration of M. oleifera seed extracts at 200 mg/kg b.w possesses therapeutic value to the effects of oxidative stress associated with heat stress. Further pharmacological evaluation on seed extracts of M. oleifera may yield the much-needed medicine in the treatment and management of poor animal productivity and reproductive health arising from severe weather associated with global warming.

Aim: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of calf fetal wastage and its economic implications at ELAKAT slaughterhouse, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) to fill the research gap in relationship with this thematic. The study investigations took place from May to September 2018. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried at the slaughterhouse. For each visit, the number of cattle slaughtered, the number of pregnant cows slaughtered, and gestational ages (stage of pregnancy of the dam, and estimated by crown-rump length) of the fetuses were recorded. Results: Out of the 1035 cattle slaughtered during the study period, 970 were females. A total of 255 fetuses were recovered, representing a fetal recovery rate of 26.28%. The study established that one fetus was lost out of 4.5 cows slaughtered, and most of fetuses recovered (58.1%) were in the first trimester of gestation while 29.1% and 12.8% were, respectively, in the second and third trimester. Their age varied from 1.2 to 8.6 months, with body length ranging from 14 cm to 92 cm while their weight varied from 1.0 kg to 23.0 kg. The economic loss associated with the total cattle fetal wastages was estimated at Congo Democratic Francs (CDF) 29,906,400 ($15,787.5) with a monthly average of CDF 5,981,280 ($3,157.5). Conclusion: These results attested that slaughtering pregnant cows constitute a strong constraint on cattle industry development in DR Congo. Urgent measures, such as adequate enforcement of legislations on routine veterinary examinations at slaughterhouses as well as livestock owner's sensitization, are required to avoid selling pregnant cows during calving season.