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Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) cause severe economic losses to many countries of the world where the disease is endemic. It has been targeted for global eradication by 2030 following the successful eradication of rinderpest in 2011. The proposed eradication program would benefit from efficient and relatively reliable diagnostic tools for early PPR virus (PPRV) detection. A total of 33 eight to 12 months old West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were used. Nineteen goats infected by commingling with two PPR virus–positive animals formed the infected group (PPRV-infected goats) while 14 non-infected goats formed the control group (CTG). The suitability of hydroxyl naphthol blue (HNB) staining of reverse transcription loop–mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and haemagglutination (HA) assays was compared for their sensitivity to detect the PPRV in PPRV-infected goats and non-infected CTG. PPR disease severity in WAD goats at different days post infection (dpi) was evaluated by clinical scoring and haemagglutination titre (HAT). HNB staining RT-LAMP reaction and HA showed sensitivities of 100% and 73.68%, respectively, for PPRV detection. Expression of PPR clinical signs began from 3 dpi, attained peak at 5 dpi, thereafter showed irregular patterns till 24 dpi. Evaluation of HAT in PPRV-infected goats at 12 dpi ranged from 2 to 64 haemagglutination units (HAU), while CTG goats had 0 HAU. In conclusion, HA could be a good tool for rapid diagnosis of PPRV in a developing country setting. However, HNB staining RT-LAMP assay demonstrated high sensitivity for accurate diagnoses of PPRV and as an important diagnostic tool when precise phenotyping is desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The haematological attributes during pregnancy assumed new importance when it was realised that pregnancy is a form of physiological stress and hormones appear to be involved in the process of pregnancy and parturition. Hence, an experiment aimed at assessing and determining the haematological, biochemical and hormonal profile during pregnancy was conducted for five (5) months using twelve (12) artificially inseminated female West African Dwarf goats aged 2 – 4 years with live weights ranging from 15 to 26 kg. Does were raised semi‑intensively throughout the duration of the experiment. Blood was collected once a month for haematological, biochemical and hormonal analysis. Data obtained were analysed by the method of least squares analysis of variance (SAS, 2003) using a general linear model appropriate for a completely randomised design. The gestation period had a highly significant (p < 0.001) effect on red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts. Cholesterol and glucose were significantly (p < 0.001) affected by the gestation period, similar to the cortisol and progesterone profile (p < 0.001).

Experiments were performed to evaluate the haematological (erythrocyte and leucocyte parameters) response of West African Dwarf goats following oestrus synchronisation and superovulation protocol. Twenty-four clinically healthy female goats aged 2.34 ± 0.4 years and average body weight of 13.83 ± 0.7 kg was used for the experiment. The goats were divided into two groups. Group I goats was synchronized using Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) for 18 days with the first day of insertion as day 0. On day 16 following CIDR insertion into the vagina, a single dose of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was administered to each doe intramuscularly while group II served as the control was subjected to the same housing and environmental conditions but was not synchronized. superovulation was induced with porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) which was injected intramuscularly at a rate of 5mg/kg in reducing doses twice a day at 06.00 h and 18.00 h for 3 days starting from 48hr i.e., 2 days before CIDR removal (day 17). A blood sample of 5 mL was collected by jugular venipuncture of each of the goats before the protocol (Day 0) and at the end of the protocol (Day 18). All erythrocyte parameters evaluated showed a significantly higher value in group II (control) compared to group I post-oestrus synchronisation while total leucocyte count, neutrophil count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio values obtained after the protocol were also higher in group I (P < 0.05) compared to group II. It is therefore concluded that oestrus synchronisation and superovulation may elicit stress in West African Dwarf goats and an appropriate antioxidant should be part of the protocol.

An outbreak of Peste des Petits ruminants (PPR) among recently vaccinated West African Dwarf male goats (buck) was investigated and managed at the Teaching and Research Farm University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The average age of the animals was ranged between 1½- 2years old. The morbidity rate of 87% and mortality rate of 28% was recorded on the flock, giving a case fatality rate of 32%. Sneezing, coughing, anorexia, mucopurulent nasal discharges, dyspnea, and diarrhea with pungent characteristic odor were observed clinically. Clinical examination of clinically infected animals on the average revealed the followings: Temperature: 40.5°C, Heart rate: 76 beats per min, Respiratory rate: 44 breathes per min. 13 mortalities were recorded within a week post vaccination. Postmortem findings revealed mucopurulent oculonasal discharges, crust on the lips, erosive lesions on the gums, fecal soiled perineum, frothy mucoid tracheal fluid, copious hydroperitoneum, hyperemia, congestion, and lungs hepatization with large intestine seemed congested. A rapid diagnostic kit for goat Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Antibody was used to detect the positivity and correlated antibody titer in four of the goats; two from the apparently healthy group and two from the group still manifesting the clinical symptoms. Results of the two apparently healthy revealed some positivity which correlated to 1:160 antibody titer while the two animals from the group showing clinical signs revealed complete invalidation. Clinically infected animals were isolated and treated symptomatically for five consecutive days with Tylosin, Sulphadimidine and Multivitamins at recommended dosages To the best of the authors knowledge, this case will be the first confirmed PPR outbreak among West African Dwarf goats linked with vaccination using PPR rapid diagnostic kit outcome combined with clinico-pathological findings in the South-Western Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of exogenous melatonin (EM) on growth, physiological and haematological parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) bucks was evaluated in the experiment. Intact selected sixteen WAD bucks were distributed into 4 treatment groups of 0, 3, 6 and 9 mg EM. Bucks were orally dozed with EM 3 times per week for 16 weeks. Blood samples were collected at 0th week, 8th week and 16th week of experiment for evaluation of haematological parameters. Analysis of Variance was carried out and significant means were separated using SAS. Results showed bucks given 6 mg EM had higher average daily weight gain of 31.3 g compared with others. Feed and water intake were similar across treatments, but feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in bucks given 6 mg EM. Values recorded in the morning of data collection days showed pulse and respiratory rates to be significantly different, with bucks given 6 mg of EM having lowest values. 6 mg group was also different for packed cell volume (32.57%), haemoglobin (10.72g/dl), red blood cell (11.38 1012 /L), neutrophil (35.50%) and lymphocyte (64.30%). Therefore, dose of 6 mg/animal EM influences growth performance, physiological and haematological parameters of WAD bucks positively and is therefore recommended for WAD bucks for optimal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition improvement with multipurpose trees could be a means of increasing milk yield. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of goats. The Panicum maximum was replaced by Moringa oleifera at the level of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of group T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively. Data recorded on conception rate, kids' birth weight; dry matter intake (DM), average daily gain, and milk yield; and kids' DM intake of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. The highest value for conception rate (50%), DM intake (3.08%), average daily gain (44.30 g/day), and milk yield (0.5 kg/day) were observed in the does fed T4 diet, except for kids birth weight (1.70 kg) at T3. The does fed T5 diet had the least values. Kids from T4 diet had significantly (P=0.05) the highest DM intake (152.33 g/day). M. oleifera herbage supplementation at 25 % with 75 % P. maximum based diet improved reproductive and lactation characteristics of WAD goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization and ruminal fluid parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) does fed Pleurotus sajor caju (Blight) biodegraded water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and green Guinea grass based diets. The chemical composition of fungi treated water hyacinth (FTWH), performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, ruminal fluid parameters and nitrogen utilization by WAD does were determined. Thirty female WAD goats with an average weight of 8.92 kg were used for a feeding trial which lasted for 105 days. In a completely randomized design, six animals each were allotted to five experimental diets comprising of 0%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 90% FTWH inclusion level (as fed basis). Parameters measured were: dry matter intake (DMI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, nitrogen intake, nitrogen balance, nitrogen retention, pH, rumen ammonia nitrogen, total volatile acids and molar concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate. Results revealed that the dry matter of FTWH was 77.73 g/100g DM, the crude protein and neutral detergent fibre were 14.38 g/100g DM and 60.20 g/100g DM respectively. Significant variations (P = 0.05) occurred in the DMI, DWG and FCR. They ranged from 342.12 - 368.62 g.d-1; 29.52 - 48.67 g and 11. 31 - 7.56 in does fed 0% and 90% FTWH inclusion level respectively. The same trend was observed for digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and neutral detergent fibre digestibility. The values ranged from 70.14 - 74.33; 79.83 - 83.15; 80.02 - 83.67; 79.83 - 88.65; 71.22 - 72.26 and 80.26 - 86.13% respectively. The nitrogen balance and retention also differed significantly (P = 0.05). They ranged from 4.00 - 4.70 g.d-1 and 62.50 - 66.94% in does that consumed 0% and 90% FTWH respectively. Treatment effect on pH, TVFAs and molar concentration of acetate, propionate and butyrate was significant (P = 0.05). They ranged from 6.15 - 6.31; 55.23 - 61.15mM/100ml and 11.23 -21.41; 30.41 - 41.33; 7.31-10.15 mM/100ml respectively. Ammonia nitrogen for all treatments was similar, but increased as the level of inclusion of FTWH increased. It can be concluded that inclusion of Pleurotus sajor caju biodegraded water hyacinth into the diets of does significantly improved performance, digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen utilization and ruminal fluid parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An in vivo digestibility trial was conducted to evaluate the digestibility of six forages. These were selected indigenous browse species and groundnut haulms in Lawra and Jirapa Districts of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Groundnut haulms served as a control due to its known good digestibility in small ruminants. Thirty West African Dwarf (WAD) young castrated billy goats with a mean age of 8 months were used. The average live body weight was 8.9 ± 0.1 kg. The animals were randomly assigned to the six treatments and replicated five times in a completely randomized design. They were confined in metabolism cages. The adaptation period was 3 weeks after which data was taken for 10 days. The treatments were the leaves and tiny twigs of T1 Annona senegalensis, T2 Ficus gnaphalocarpa, T3 Pericopsis laxiflora, T4 Pterocarpus erinaceus, T5 Afzelia africana, and T6 (control) Arachis hypogaea. Feed intake, faecal matter and urine output were measured. The results indicated that dry matter (DM) contents of the feedstuffs were less than 50% but crude protein (CP) contents were higher than the minimum required for sustaining ruminants. Neutral and acid detergent fibre contents were high, and F. gnaphalocarpa, in particular, contained a higher level of phosphorus (P). The amounts of feed intakes were typical of most fodder species with the exception of P. laxiflora and P. erinaceus, which were lower (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility values were also typical of most fodder species but the digestibility of A. africana fibre appeared to be lower. Nitrogen retention was positive for all test species with the exception of P. laxiflora, which was negative. Mortality was recorded in animals on P. laxiflora, and the rate was high. Pericopsis laxiflora leaves, even though morphologically similar to the leaves of P. erinaceus, were not a suitable fodder. Ficus gnaphalocarpa appeared to be the overall best fodder species in terms of nutrient uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of lifetime productivity of individual animals in response to various interventions allows assessment of long-term investment opportunities for farmers. In order to gain a better understanding of promising feed interventions for improvement of small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria, a dynamic modelling approach was used to explore the effect of different feeding strategies on the lifetime productivity of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Modifications were made to the current version of Livestock Simulator developed for cattle production to simulate goat production systems particularly for WAD goats. Effects of changes in input parameters (quality of feed and potential adult weight) confirmed the sensitivity of the modelled weight development and reproductive performance. The values of simulated model outputs corresponded well with observed values for most of the variables, except for the pre-weaning mortality rate in the cut-and-carry system where a wide discrepancy between simulated (2.1%) and observed (23%) data was found. The scenario analysis showed that simulated goats in the free grazing system attained sexual maturity and kidded much later than those in the grazing with supplementation and the cut-and-carry systems. The simulated results suggested that goats require supplementation with protein and energy sources, in order to promote lifetime productivity, early sexual maturity and higher birth weight. In terms of economic returns based on feed cost alone, the moderately intense system produced the most profit. We therefore conclude that grazing with adequate supplementation using farm-generated feed resources offers an opportunity for improving smallholder goat production systems in West Africa.

The experiment was carried out to determine the effect of urea-fortified concentrate corncob diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics of West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Fifteen WAD goats with an average weight of 9.33 kg were studied. The animals were weighted and randomly assigned to five (5) treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatments were of different levels i.e. 0%, 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% of urea in corncob-based concentrate diets. Results showed variation (P<0.05) in the live weight among all the treatments while no effect was observed in average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio, carcass and non-carcass characteristics among the treatment groups. However, the physicochemical properties of the meat showed that meat water holding capacity, moisture, dry matter, crude fibre and ash were not influenced by urea but there was a significant (P<0.05) difference in meat pH and meat crude protein among the treated groups. In conclusion, for better performance in the live weight gain of WAD goats, 3% best level inclusion of urea fortified corncob diet should be taken into cognizance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of Stevens–Johnson syndrome have been increasingly reported in Nigeria by individuals who consumed meat products of animals especially goats injected sulfonamides. Hence, tissue distribution and residues of intramuscular sulfadimidine were studied in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Twenty goats divided into two groups of 10 each (five males; five females) weighing 10.4 ± 1.63 kg were administered intramuscular sulfadimidine (100 mg/kg body weight), and the second group was coadministered 5 mg/kg of piroxicam via right and left thigh muscle, respectively. Samples of the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, intestine, brain, and skeletal muscle were collected into sterile cellophane bags. Two untreated goats were killed and used for preparation of tissue standards. The tissue samples were stored frozen for analysis. High concentration of sulfadimidine residues was found in all the tissues of goats administered sulfadimidine as well as tissues of goats coadministered sulfadimidine/piroxicam for up to 30 days postdrug administration. Generally, residues of sulfadimidine were observed to be significantly higher than the acceptable limit (0.1 ppm). Hence, consumption of meats from WAD goats administered sulfadimidine may pose very high risk of Stevens–Johnson syndrome in sensitive humans. As such consumption of such meats should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piroxicam is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug. It is presently used for postoperative pain management in ruminants. However, female animals have been reported to be more sensitive to piroxicam. Hence its pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Ten goats divided into two groups, each comprised five females and five males were administered piroxicam at predetermined dose of 5 mg/kg body weight via thigh muscle. The blood samples were collected into EDTA bottles before the treatment and thereafter at 0.08, 0.16, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, and 192 h for analysis of piroxicam using a spectrophotometric method at 330 nm wavelength. Concentration maximum (Cmax = 543.2 ± 64.4 μg/ml), absorption rate constant (α = 1.2 ± 0.4 h), and elimination rate constant (β = 0.4 ± 0.2 h of the male WAD goats were significantly higher (p

The study evaluated the developmental changes in the mesenteric lymph nodes, thymus and spleen of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat using histological techniques. Twenty-seven WAD goats of 1 day, 2 weeks and 1 to 7 months old were used for this study. Results showed that the mesenteric lymph node of the WAD goats had poorly organized cortical and medullary areas at 1 day postnatum, and dense infiltration of lymphocytes in the cortex with a few primary lymphoid follicles at 2 and 3 months. At 1 day old, the thymus exhibited thin cortical parenchyma and extensive medullary areas. The thymic parenchyma of 3 and 4 months old showed distorted outlines of the cortex and medulla with adipose tissue deposition in the trabeculae. The number of Hassal's corpuscles increased from the 1st day to the 7th month of birth. Furthermore, at 1 day old, the spleen demonstrated poorly defined red pulp and white pulp areas. The outlines of the red and white pulp areas were more obvious at 2 weeks of age and the red pulp areas became more expansive with increased concentration of red blood cells from 1 to 7 months old. It was concluded that the mesenteric lymph nodes of WAD goats may attain adult morphology as early as 1 month after birth, the thymus which appeared as a fully functional thymus at birth could regress at 3 months after birth and the spleen could perform limited lymphoid functions immediately after birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluation of lifetime productivity of individual animals in response to various interventions allows assessment of long-term investment opportunities for farmers. In order to gain a better understanding of promising feed interventions for improvement of small ruminant production in Southwestern Nigeria, a dynamic modelling approach was used to explore the effect of different feeding strategies on the lifetime productivity of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Modifications were made to the current version of Livestock Simulator developed for cattle production to simulate goat production systems particularly for WAD goats. Effects of changes in input parameters (quality of feed and potential adult weight) confirmed the sensitivity of the modelled weight development and reproductive performance. The values of simulated model outputs corresponded well with observed values for most of the variables, except for the pre-weaning mortality rate in the cut-and-carry system where a wide discrepancy between simulated (2.1%) and observed (23%) data was found. The scenario analysis showed that simulated goats in the free grazing system attained sexual maturity and kidded much later than those in the grazing with supplementation and the cut-and-carry systems. The simulated results suggested that goats require supplementation with protein and energy sources, in order to promote lifetime productivity, early sexual maturity and higher birth weight. In terms of economic returns based on feed cost alone, the moderately intense system produced the most profit. We therefore conclude that grazing with adequate supplementation using farm-generated feed resources offers an opportunity for improving smallholder goat production systems in West Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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The clinical signs and pathological changes in West African dwarf goats naturally infected with peste des petits ruminants (PPR) were studied. Twenty one goats were housed in one pen throughout the duration of the study. One out of 21 goats was purchased with clinical manifestations suggestive of PPR and the goat served as the source of natural infection to the rest of the goats. By day 3 post aggregation of the animals, 5 out of the 21 goats showed clinical signs of PPR which include coughing, sneezing, pyrexia, starry hair coat, mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharges, watery diarrhea, head pressing, kyphosis and dehydration. By day 5 post aggregation all the goats had come down with the disease. Gross pathological findings included zebra stripes on the cecal mucosa, exudative pleurisy in the thoracic cavity, ecchymotic hemorrhages on the trachea with extensive froth, consolidation and congestion of the lungs. New findings of degenerative fatty liquefaction around the coronary region of the heart and within the ventricles, including ante-mortem clots within the ventricles were made in some cases. These manifestations were observed in varying degrees of severity in the goats and can be considered pathognomonic of PPR infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The West African Dwarf (WAD) goat from the humid zone of Nigeria is known for its trypanotolerance as well as for its resistance and resilience to Haemonchus contortus (haemonchotolerance). Another ecotype of WAD goat with a larger body size is found in the drier savanna zone of the country. We tested the hypothesis that the latter is less trypanotolerant, and less haemonchotolerant than the former ecotype because they have been less exposed to these infections and because of the likelihood of introgression of alleles for parasite susceptibility into the latter from neighbouring parasite-susceptible Sahelian genotypes. Two controlled experiments were carried out. In the first, we compared the responses in 8–9 month old kids of both ecotypes to subcutaneous infection with 5×106 Trypanosoma brucei. Infection in both ecotypes was characterised by (i) prepatent periods of 3 days; (ii) a modest peak parasitaemia 4–5 days post infection (pi), followed by rapid clearance of parasites from the blood to microscopically undetectable levels from D11 or D12 until the end of the experiment on D30 pi; (iii) a sharp but transient drop in PCV following peak parasitaemia, with no other clinical evidence of anaemia; and (iv) normal growth and a small but weakly significant change in body temperature. In a second experiment we infected groups of goats of both ecotypes with 6000 L3 of H. contortus. This infection also produced no significant changes in the PCV and body weight of the goats. Only a small percentage of the inoculum was recovered from both ecotypes at necropsy on D18 pi (Mean % recovery±SE=3.29±0.61 for humid zone and 6.83±2.72 for savanna goats) and there was no significant difference in their worm burdens. On the basis of these results we reject our hypothesis and conclude that the savanna WAD ecotype exhibits comparable, strong degrees of trypanotolerance and haemonchotolerance to its humid zone counterpart. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated the possible toxicity of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in West African dwarf goats. The goats (20) were randomly divided into four equal groups; three of which were exposed to graded levels (low, medium and high doses) of 2,4-D for a period of 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the treatment group goats as well as the control group goats on weeks 0, 2, 4 and 6. The blood samples were used for analysis of haematologic indices such as packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte count (EC), total leucocyte count (TLC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). Total leucocyte counts were significantly reduced (p <0.05) by the test herbicide (2,4-D) in all the treatment groups. Significant reduction in the levels of PCV, Hb concentration, MCV, MCH and MCHC were also recorded in all treatment groups. There was no significant change (p >0.05) in the erythrocyte count value of all the four groups. The significant reduction in the haematologic indices of West African dwarf goats (WADG) as evidenced from the result of this study, suggest the possibility of 2,4-D toxicity in these goats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The influence of supplementary feeding using multipurpose leguminous leaves on the reproductive performance, milk production and kid growth in 24 West African dwarf goats (WADG) was carried out at Dschang University Animal Farm between June 2001 and July 2003. In addition to grazing on natural pasture, the group receiving feed supplement was given a mixture comprising the leaves of Calliandra calothyrsus and Leucaena leucocephala. Results indicate that during the dry and rainy seasons, the leaves had a higher content of protein compared to the grasses while the grasses were richer in cellulose. As a result of supplementary feeding, there was a marked reduction in abortion incidences. The average birth weight of the kids in the supplemented group (1.35±0.08kg) was significantly (P <0.05) higher than in the control group (1.12±0.10kg) during the dry season whereas the difference was not significant during the rainy season. At weaning age, the average kid weight in the supplemented group was significantly (P <0.05) higher than that in the control group during both the dry (5.95±0.45kg versus 3.56±0.45kg) and rainy (6.22±0.33kg versus 4.64±0.19kg) seasons. Kids from the goats receiving supplements gained 67.1% more weight during the dry season whereas only 34.1% more weight was gained during the rainy season in comparison to the control group. Average weekly milk production in the goats receiving supplements was almost double that produced by the control group in dry season (361±11g versus 183±43g) and about 32% more milk was produced during the rainy season. There was a positive correlation between weight gain and milk production which was highest in the group receiving supplements during the dry season (r 2 =0.96). This study has revealed that the reproductive performance, milk production and kid growth will be greatly improved in the WADG when the feed from natural pasture is supplemented with the leaves of C. calothyrsus and L. leucocephala. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The interactions of trypanosomosis and plane of nutrition on health and productivity of multiparous and primiparous West African Dwarf (WAD) does were studied in a multi-factorial experiment including diet (supplementation or basal diet) and infection (infected or control). Experimental does were infected with Trypanosoma congolense at the beginning of the second week post-kidding and monitored for 16 weeks after infection. Trypanosome infection significantly reduced packed cell volume (PCV) (control: 30.1±0.3% versus infected: 22.2±0.3%; P &#60;0.0001). Regardless of infection, the drop in PCV from the pre-infection period to the end of the experiment was more severe in animals under restricted diet (interaction diet×period, P &#60;0.001). Trypanosome parasitaemia tended to be higher in the supplemented group than in the basal diet group (P >0.05) and multiparous animals had a higher parasitaemia (score: 2.6±0.1) than primiparous animals (score: 2.2±0.1) (P &#60;0.05). Trypanosome infection as well as dietary supplement had a significant effect on lactation length. Milk off-take from trypanosome-infected does was significantly lower than that from the uninfected control group (17.5±3.2l versus 35.5±3.2l, P &#60;0.001) and there was a positive effect of plane of nutrition (supplemented: 32.8±3.2l and basal diet: 20.2±3.5l, P =0.01). The drop in milk off-take due to trypanosome infection was more severe in the supplemented group (control: 46.7±4.7l versus infected: 18.9±4.2l) than in the group receiving a basal diet (control: 24.2±5.0l versus infected: 16.1±4.7l) (interaction infection×diet, P =0.04) due to the number of does from the supplemented group that were withdrawn from the experiment. The effect of trypanosome infection on doe''s live-weight was only noticeable during the first 8 weeks of lactation and there was no significant effect on offspring growth rate unless the mother died. Plasma total protein (TP), albumin and cholesterol concentrations were significantly reduced by the infection but were significantly increased by supplementation. Supplemented does had a higher level of cholesterol and a tendency for a higher parasitaemia. Does of high parity also had a higher cholesterol level than primiparous does and, based on the number of animals that were withdrawn from the experiment, they showed a lower resistance to the infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Piroxicam is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drug. It is presently used for postoperative pain management in ruminants. However, female animals have been reported to be more sensitive to piroxicam. Hence its pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. Ten goats divided into two groups, each comprised five females and five males were administered piroxicam at predetermined dose of 5 mg/kg body weight via thigh muscle. The blood samples were collected into EDTA bottles before the treatment and thereafter at 0.08, 0.16, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168, and 192 h for analysis of piroxicam using a spectrophotometric method at 330 nm wavelength. Concentration maximum (Cmax = 543.2 ± 64.4 μg/ml), absorption rate constant (α = 1.2 ± 0.4 h), and elimination rate constant (β = 0.4 ± 0.2 h of the male WAD goats were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison withCmax(376.9 ± 61.2 μg/ml),α(0.8 ± 0.3 h) andβ(0.3 ± 0.1 h) of the female WAD goats, respectively. The absorption half life (t1/2α = 1.6 ± 0.6 h), elimination half life (t1/2β = 5.2 ± 2.3 h), body clearance (Clb = 1.1 ± 0.2 L/kg/h), mean residence time (MRT = 7.8 ± 3.5 h) and mean absorption time (MAT = 1.8 ± 0.4 h) of the female WAD goats were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison witht1/2α(0.9 ± 0.3 h),t1/2β(2.5 ± 0.6 h), Clb (0.4 ± 0.1L/kg/h), MRT (0.9 ± 0.6 h) and MAT (1.3 ± 0.5 h) of the male goats respectively. The percentage protein binding capacity in the species was 81.9%. But three out of five female goats were paralyzed. Hence female WAD goats may be more sensitive to piroxicam than male WAD goats. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]