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This study sought to determine if sheep suffer neurological symptoms when fed Acacia angustissima leaves, and whether an equivalent amount of 70% acetone extract would have the same effect. In addition, the study tried to determine if treatment of leaves with 70% acetone would destroy the activity of A. angustissima toxins, and whether extraction with 70% aqueous acetone extract would separate two components of a toxic system. Twenty-five Menz lambs were randomly assigned to one of five treatments (1) A angustissima leaves as half the diet, 2) dried extract (70% aqueous acetone) of the same quantity of leaves, 3) a corresponding amount of residues, 4) a recombination of the dried extract and dried residue, or (5) a control diet containing no A angustissima leaves or extract fractions. All animals fed the leaves and the recombined fractions died or were euthanized when they were observed to be dying of severe neurological derangement. None of the other animals showed any neurological signs of impairement. The results of this study indicate that healthy, well-fed sheep can be poisoned by A angustissima, that the toxins are not destroyed by acetone or oven drying, and that severe neurological intoxication requires two components, which can be separated by acetone extraction.

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chemical composition extracts analytical methods morbidity supplements mortality lambs (sheep) ...

International Livestock Research Institute - Kenya

Factors affecting hematological profiles in three Ethiopian indigenous goat breeds النص الكامل

2004

Hematological parameters were studied in 163 apparently healthy goats comprised of 3 indigenous breeds at Adami-Tulu Agricultural Research Centre (ATARC) and Sheno, Agricultural Research Centre (SARC), Ethiopia. Data were analyzed for the effect of breed, sex, age, and season. Hemoglobin (Hb) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for Arsi-Bale (AB) than Longeared Somali (LES) and Central Highland (CH) goats. Packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) for LES than the other two breeds. White blood cells (WBC) (P < 0.05), neutrophils (P < 0.0001) and basophils (P < 0.0001) were higher in CH than in the other two breeds. Conversely, lymphocytes were lowest (P < 0.0001) in CH goats compared to other breeds. Female goats had significantly (at least P < 0.05) higher red blood cells (RBC), PCV, WBC, lymphocytes and eosinophils than male goats. In contrast, males had higher (P < 0.05) mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and neutrophils than females. There was no significant age difference for the erythrocytic series but the age difference was highly significant (P < 0.0001) for the leukocytic series. WBC and lymphocytes decreased as age increased while the reverse was true for neutrophils and eosinophils. Seasonal variation was also considerable for both erythrocytic and leukocytic series. RBC, Hb, lymphocytes, and neutrophils of the indigenous goat breeds were remarkably different compared to most other exotic goat breeds.

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sex breeds (animals) age seasonal variation lymphocytes biological differences goats [caprinae] land races haemoglobin [blood proteins] ...

International Livestock Research Institute - Kenya