Awareness of antimicrobial usage and emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among livestock farmers is of paramount importance in overcoming the challenges of AMR in agriculture and public health. A survey was conducted among 100 livestock farmers in ten randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Katsina State, Nigeria using a structured questionnaire to explore awareness of livestock farmers towards antimicrobial usage and Antimicrobial Resistance. Descriptive statistics were conducted to obtain frequencies and proportions of the outputs. A Mann-Whitney test was performed to get the difference in attitude of participants to antimicrobial use and AMR. Fifty-four (54%) of livestock farmers were shown to have poor knowledge of and 35 (35%) were shown to be misusers of antimicrobials and AMR. On the practices in the use of antimicrobial, the study revealed that, the most common antimicrobials used by the participants were oxytetracycline (59%), penicillin (10%), and gentamicin (2%). There was no significant association between participants’ level of knowledge, attitude and practices and the usage of Antimicrobials and AMR among livestock farmers in Katsina State (p= 0 .219). Therefore, in line with the recommendations of World Health Organization (WHO) for creating Awareness, and improving KAP of antimicrobials and AMR emergence, the results of the survey underpin the need for concerted efforts to overcome the threat of AMR through tailored programmes, research and policy direction.

Neuropeptide nesfatin-1, a nucleobindin-2 derivative, plays a role in regulating food intake, energy metabolism and body weight. It also interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and has functions in the reproductive system. However, its impact on the canine reproductive tract has not been well documented. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of nesfatin-1 in canine ovarian activity and uterine function.

Over the past three decades, emerging epidemiological evidence has shown the increasing incidence and prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). As a result, clinical awareness of the impact these organisms have on both human and animal health has grown.

Staphylococci commonly colonise the skin and mucous membranes of humans and animals, the close contact between which may promote interspecies transmission of these microorganisms and determinants of drug resistance.

Neurokinin B (NKB), dynorphin A (Dyn A) and kisspeptin (KiSS) are key agents that participate in the neuroendocrine regulation of the development and functioning of the reproductive system. While the role of KiSS is better understood, the functions of NKB and Dyn A at the pituitary level have not been elucidated. The objective of our study was to analyse their direct effect on kisspeptin-10 (KiSS-10) secretion by anterior pituitary cells isolated from pubescent ewes.

The aim of this article was to review current knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the avian eye and ocular diseases in poultry. The avian visual organ consists of the eye and extraocular organs and, unlike the mammalian eye, is characterised by many structural and functional adaptations that enhance vision. Avian eyes do not have the same functions as mammalian eyes. Bird eyes have high sensory sensitivity and are capable of constellation recognition for star orientation and navigation; they may be regarded as the finest ocular organs in the animal kingdom. It is generally accepted that the considerable differences in the morphology and function of avian eyes are largely due to adaptations to specific activities and environmental conditions. Eye diseases are rarely diagnosed in poultry because, unlike livestock and pets, detailed ophthalmological examinations are not carried out on farmed birds. Nevertheless, poultry are frequently affected by ocular pathologies, including developmental abnormalities, infectious and non-infectious diseases, degenerative processes, tumours, injuries and pathological conditions of unknown aetiology. In poultry, ocular disease is often associated with respiratory and systemic disease. Ocular pathology in farmed birds has a complex aetiology and its incidence can be reduced by controlling the incubation parameters of hatching eggs, avoiding feeding errors in breeder flocks and rearing poultry under conditions that optimise welfare and comply with biosecurity standards.

Newcastle disease (ND) is a viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds. Despite routine vaccination, outbreaks are frequently reported in the field. Studies have indicated that traditional medicinal plants provide rich sources of antiviral agents. Effect of ethanol bark extract of Mahogany (Sweitenia macrophylla) on ND virus shedding in cockerels experimentally infected with NDV Kudu 113 velogenic strain was determined in this study. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract contained some antiviral components and LD50 determination indicated that it is safe for consumption at the highest dose given (5500mg/kg body weight). Day old commercial cockerels (150 in number) were obtained and divided into five groups namely; A, B, C, D and E. Group A served as negative control where the birds were given normal feed and water, group B (positive control) were given only the extract, group C were only challenged with velogenic NDV, group D were given the extract after challenge with the virus, and group E were given the extract before challenge. Haemagglutination assay was carried out before experimental infection in groups C, D and E to check antibody titer of NDV. Result revealed that all the groups had unprotective titers. Real- time polymerase chain reaction was carried out to quantify ND viral shedding. The result in copies/ml was highest in group C at day 3 followed by day 5 then day 7 and lowest at day 1. Group D was second in viral shedding; highest at day 3, followed by day 1, day 5 and lowest at day 7. Group E was the lowest in viral shedding where the viral shedding was highest at day 1, followed by day 3, then day 5 and lowest at day 7. Using repeated measure ANOVA within groups C, D and E, difference in viral shedding was statistically significant with P<0.05. It was concluded that ethanol bark extract of Mahogany (Sweitenia macrophylla) has the potential of reducing Newcastle disease viral shedding in chickens when administered as both prophylactic and treatment agent with lowest shedding when given as prophylaxis. It is recommended that ethanol bark extract of Mahogany (Sweitenia macrophylla) should be considered as an alternative to symptomatic therapy done in the management of Newcastle disease. 

The effect of different processing methods on the nutrient and anti- nutrient composition of raw Leuceana leucocephala seeds meal was determined using proximate composition, gross energy, mineral composition and metabolizable energy as parameters. The samples were of raw, toasted, boiled and fermented Leuceana leucocephala seeds meal. The samples were sundried, milled and used for both chemical analysis as well as for metabolizable energy determination. The experiment was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The result of the proximate analysis of the seeds meal showed that the crude protein (CP) values for the raw was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the others. The result of macro-minerals showed that the boiled seeds values for Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca) Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) were significantly higher than others. The same sequence was observed in the values of the boiled Leuceana leucocephala for the micro-minerals of Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Manganese (Mn) which were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the raw, toasted and fermented samples. For the gross energy composition, the values of the raw were significantly higher (P<0.05) than all the other samples. The true metabolizable energy (TME) and the true metabolizable energy corrected to nitrogen equilibrium (TMEn) of the boiled samples were significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other samples. The anti-nutritional factors indicate that toasted Leuceana leucocephala seeds meal had the highest reduction followed by boiling. Conclusively, boiled Leuceana leucocephala seeds meal had the highest value for proximate composition, minerals (Macro and Micro), metabolizable energy (both TME and TMEn) gross energy and metabolizable energy thereby making boiling the best processing method.