Production performance of Giant African Land Snails (Archachatina marginata) at the Sudano-Guinean highland zone of Cameroon.

A study on the production performance of Giant African Land snails was carried out within the Joint Initiative Group of Agro-pastoral Producers United Hands of Foungwo-Santchou (CIG-PAMUFOSA). The general objective of this study was to contribute to a better knowledge of the production performance of the Giant African Land Snail in captivity in Cameroon. For this purpose, the snails were monitored for two months and data on growth and reproductive performance were collected. Growth parameters were estimated from 183 snails aged between 6 and 8 months as a starting number. The results obtained show that the average daily weight gain was 0.06 ± 0.07 g and the shell length and diameter gain was 0.0019 ± 0.0077 mm/day and 0.016 ± 0.0012 mm/day, respectively. Food intake was 1.86 ± 0.17 g/day with a consumption index of 25.87 ± 2.60 and a mortality rate of 40%. Reproductive characteristics were estimated a starting number of 1095 adult snails aged between 1.5 and 2.5 years as it appears that the age at sexual maturity was greater than or equal to 11 months of age. For an average breeding weight of 93.09 ± 25.03 g, they produce clutches averaging 5.66 ± 1.80 eggs per clutch with an average weight of 8.18 ± 3.30 g. The weight of an egg was 1.44 ± 0.35 g, the individual large and small diameter of the eggs were 14.97 ± 1.45 mm and 11.28 ± 1.13 mm, respectively. The incubation period was 35.62 ± 8.16 days and hatching percentage was 76.08%. The factors influencing reproduction and growth performance of Giant African Land Snail would be: housing conditions (high density, breeding substrate), incubation condition, feed quality, and neglect. For an improvement in production performance on this farm, it would be wise to feed the animals with concentrated feed and to follow the strict standard guidelines regarding stocking density.

Seroprevalence and Risks Factors Associated with Coxiella burnetii Infection in Slaughterhouse Zebu Cattle (Bos indicus) from Northern Regions of Cameroon.

A study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risks factors of Coxiella burnetii in zebu cattle from the northern regions of Cameroon. From a total of 2016 (1754 females and 262 males) sera sampled, 801, 762 and 453 were collected, respectively, from Adamawa, North and Far North, and screened for Coxiella burnetii using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). A total of 23.76% (479/2016) were serologically positive. The seroprevalence of Adamawa, North and Far North were 29.09% (233/801), 19.95% (152/762) and 20.75% (94/453); respectively. The seropositivity of male and female were 4.58% and 26.62%; respectively. Cattle from Adamawa region were more likely to have been exposed to C. burnetii than animals from Far North region (OR = 3.28; 95%CI: 1.13-7.85; p = 0.02). The Gudali breed was significantly more infected than Aku (OR =2.52; 95%CI: 1.06-5.99; p = 0.03), and animals aged of (6-9) years were 1.89 times more likely to have been infected to C. burnetii than young animals (p = 0.03). The seropositivity to this bacterium was significantly associated to pregnant cattle than non-pregnant (OR = 1.71; 95%CI: 1.01-2.90; p = 0.04). Female cattle were more likely to have been infected by C. burnetii than male and the rainy season were 1.66 more associated to this disease than dry season. The linear regression model indicated that C. burnetii seropositivity were positively correlated to the regions (0.09, CI: 0.04; 0.18; p = 0.007), age (0.01, CI: -0.01; 0.04; p = 0.02), sex (0.19, CI: 0.08-0.32, p = 0.001) and physiological status (0.11, CI: -0.04; 0.26; p = 0.006). This study revealed that C. burnetii infection is widespread among zebu cattle of Adamawa, North and Far North of Cameroon.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Zoonotic Risk Perception of Bovine Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii) among Cattle Farmers and Veterinary Personnel in Northern Regions of Cameroon.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, practices and zoonotic risk perception of Q fever among 484 selected cattle farmers (438) and veterinary personnel (46) in three northern regions of Cameroon. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires and responses were recoded into binary scale. An ANOVA test was used to assess significant differences in mean knowledge, attitude, practice and zoonotic risk perception (KAPP) scores between regions, while Linear regression was done to explore the relationship between demographic characteristic and KAPP. Overall, surveyed had low mean scores for knowledge (0.02 ± 0.11), desirable attitude (0.30 ± 0.16), appropriate practice (0.43 ± 0.13) and negative perception of zoonotic risks (0.05 ± 0.11). The means knowledge, attitude, practice and risks perception scores of cattle farmers were lower than those of veterinary personnel. The nature of respondent was negatively associated to knowledge and risks perception, while regions were negatively correlated to attitude and practice. These results revealed significant knowledge gaps, low levels of desired attitudes, and high-risk behavioral practices. To improve awareness, control programs are needed to update knowledge on medical personnel and to prevent animal-to-human transmission.

Evaluation of the Effects of Agro Pesticides Use on Liver and Kidney Function in Farmers from Buea, Cameroon.

Agro pesticides are increasingly used worldwide to increase crop production. However, health hazards resulting from human exposure to these chemicals, especially from agricultural areas of developing countries have been a growing concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of occupational exposure to agro pesticides on the health of farmers in the Buea subdivision, which is one of the major agrarian areas in Cameroon. The study was transversal and involved 90 participants including 58 farmers using pesticides and a reference population of 32 men not involved in occupational use of agro pesticides. The participants were interviewed on agro pesticide use and their health status. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from the participants and used for the assessment of biochemical markers of the liver (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and the kidney (creatinine and uric acid) function. Results revealed that farmers frequently used insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides in their farming activities. Farmers reported several acute health symptoms related to pesticides use with the common ones being skin rash, eye irritation, and face burn. When compared to the reference population, the farmers showed significantly elevated (p < 0.01) alanine aminotransferase activity. However, other parameters investigated were not affected significantly. These results suggested that farmers were exposed to 3 different classes of agro pesticides, which induced eye and skin affections. Pesticides exposure resulted in alterations of the liver function hence the increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Therefore, there is a need to sensitize the farmers on toxicity and liver alteration potential of agro pesticides and the importance of appropriate protective equipment that may minimize exposure.

Heat Induces Oxidative Stress: Reproductive Organ Weights and Serum Metabolite Profile, Testes Structure, and Function Impairment in Male Cavy (Cavia porcellus).

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of heat that induces oxidative stress on reproduction organ weight and serum biochemical, testes structure, and function in male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Forty-eight male guinea pigs with an average weight of 330.56 ± 23.62 g, aged 3-4 months, were distributed into four groups of 12 animals each. One group (control) was maintained to ambient temperature (20-25°C), while other groups (Groups 2-4) were exposed daily for 6 h, to 32 ± 1°C, 39±1°C, and 46 ± 1°C, respectively. All animals were sacrificed after 60 days' exposure and their reproductive characteristics values were determined. Results revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of the weight of testes, epididymis, vas deferens, and accessory glands in cavies exposed to the highest temperature investigated (46 ± 1°C), compared to the control animals. There was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of serum testosterone and LH levels in all heat stress-exposed groups (≥46 ± 1°C) when compared to the control group. Heat stress significantly (p < 0.05) decreased sperm mobility, sperm count, and testicular antioxidant enzymes, while increasing testicular malondialdehyde content. However, the serum level of HSP-40 increased in the animals exposed to 39 ± 1°C and decreased when the cavies were exposed to 46 ± 1°C. In conclusion, exposure to heat-induced oxidative stress results in impairment of reproduction organ weight and serum biochemical, testes structure, and function in male cavies.

Attenuating effects of Mangifera indica leaves ethanolic extract against acetamiprid induced reproductive toxicity in male guinea pigs.

Acetamiprid (ACP) belonging to the neonicotinoid family used against wide array of pests in agriculture and domestic purposes. In this study, we evaluated the attenuating effects of ethanolic extract of Mangifera indica leaves (EEMI) in averting reproductive toxicity caused by ACP in male guinea pigs. Thirty male guinea pigs were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (n = 6). Group 1 (T0) received distilled water orally; group 2 (T0-) was given 80 mg kg-1 of ACP and groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated, respectively, with EEMI at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg-1 plus ACP. After 90 days, the reaction time, sexual organ weights, sperm count, motility and anomalies, spermatozoa with entire plasma membrane, testicular histology, serum testosterone concentration, testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) level, reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were assessed. Co-administration of EEMI significantly reduced the reaction time, sperm anomalies and testicular MDA, SOD and CAT levels compared to the T0- group. Co-treatment of EEMI significantly alleviated sperm count and motility, percentage of spermatozoa with the normal plasma membrane, serum testosterone concentration, accessory sex gland weights, and testicular GSH concentrations. The ACP treatment induced cell membrane degradation in the testis and this effect was prevented with the addition of EEMI. In conclusion, ACP negatively affected the animal reproductive function and induced oxidative stress. The addition of EEMI alleviated the toxic effects of ACP on the reproductive function of male guinea pigs.

Effects of heat stress on some reproductive parameters of male cavie (Cavia porcellus) and mitigation strategies using guava (Psidium guajava) leaves essential oil.

Climate changes, particularly the increase of temperature are among the main causes behind the decline of fertility in humans as well as animals. In this study, the effects of heat stress on some reproductive parameters of male cavies and mitigation strategies using guava leaves essential oil (GLEO) were studied. For this purpose, 40 male cavies aged 2.5-3 months and weighing between 348 and 446g were divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each and subjected to the following temperatures: Ambient temperature (20-25°C) for the control group, 35°C for group 1, 45°C for group 2 and 45°C+100µl GLEO/kg body weight, administered by gavage to animals for group 3. Exposure time of heat was 7h per day for 60 days. Results reveal that the relative weights of testes, epididymis, vas deferens and seminal vesicles were hardly affected by the temperature levels considered (P>0.05). The mass and individual sperm motility was significantly lower (P<0.05) in cavies exposed to the temperature of 35 and 45°C as compared with those which received GLEO and controls. The percentages of abnormal sperm and altered sperm DNA were higher in animals exposed to temperature of 35 and 45°C as compared with the controls. The activity of superoxide dismutase significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals exposed to temperature of 45°C and in those of 45°C and orally treated with GLEO, compared with cavies exposed to temperature of 45°C without receiving GLEO. The level of malondialdehyde was significantly increased (P<0.05) in animals exposed to temperature of 35 and 45°C, whereas the level of nitric oxide was significantly lower (P<0.05) in exposed animals as compared with controls. It was concluded that the exposure of male cavies at 35 and 45°C for 60 days induce heat stress that causes deterioration of sperm characteristics. These effects that can be mitigated by the administration of guava leaves essential oil.

Effects of propoxur on the reproductive system of male rats.

The reproductive toxicity of propoxur (2-isopropoxy-phenyl-N-methylcarbamate), a carbamate pesticide, was investigated in adult male Wistar rats exposed to 0, 1.73, 2.6, and 5.2 mg/kg body weight/day for 90 successive days. Results obtained from this study showed a significant (p < 0.05) concentration-dependent increase in food consumption, relative weights of testis, epididymis and kidneys with maximum effects observed at the highest dose of propoxur (5.2 mg/kg) compared to the control. On the contrary, there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the body weight gain, sperm density, serum and intratesticular total cholesterol concentrations, and intratesticular total proteins in rats treated with propoxur at the dose of 5.2 mg/kg body weight. Propoxur had no significant effect on gestation, fertility and parturition indices, average birth weight, litter size and pups sex ratio of untreated female rats mated with treated males rats. These results suggested that propoxur increased food consumption, relative weight of reproductive and detoxication organs, decreased body weight gain and sperm density per gram of cauda epididymis without affecting the reproductive performances.

Effects of pirimiphos-methyl (an organophosphate insecticide) on the fertility of adult male rats.

BACKGROUND: Organophosphate insecticides represent one of the most widely used classes of pesticides with high potential for human exposure in both rural and residential environments. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the effects of pirimiphos-methyl (0, 2-diethylamino-6-methylpirimidin-4-yl O, O-dimethyl phosphorothioate), an organophosphothioate pesticide, on male rat reproductive performances. METHODS: A total of 24 adult Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each and orally treated with 0, 41.67, 62.5 or 125 mg/kg of pirimiphos-methyl for 90 days. RESULTS: Results from the study showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in feed consumption, body weight gain, relative testis and epidiydimis weights and intra-testicular cholesterol level in rats receiving the test substance at doses of 62.5 or 125 mg/kg whereas a significant decrease (p<0.05) in serum total protein, sperm density and motility, fertility and parturition indices and pups sex-ratio (M/F) was recorded in animals treated with 125 mg/Kg of pirimiphos methyl. Histological findings also indicated enlargement of interstitial space, inhibition of spermatogenesis, rarefaction of Leydig cells and oedema in testes compared to control animals. CONCLUSION: It could then be concluded that pirimiphos-methyl (62.5 and 125 mg/kg) is detrimental to the reproductive potentials of male rats.