[en] Full text: The numbers of X-chromatin body ('drumstick' appendages) in the interphase nuclei of three major breeds of Nigerian goats were studied. Each goat breed was derived from three different locations in the country based on the areas of its preponderance. Smears from buccal cavity and PMNS of each goat were developed using standard staining techniques. The mean values obtained per breed irrespective of sex were 1.92%, 1.65% and 1.60% for Sahel Goats (SG), Red Sokoto Goats (RSG) and West African Dwarf Goats (WADG), respectively. The mean value obtained for the bucks and does irrespective of breed were 0.13% and 3.07%, respectively. Those for males per breed were 0.15% for SG, 0.15% for RSG, and 0.10% for WADG and for does per breed were: 3.44% for SG, 3.10% for RSG and 2.67% for WADG. The results generally revealed that the frequency of 'drumstick' was statistically different (P < 0.05) between Bucks and Does; Bucks were statistically the same (P < 0.05) in 'drumstick' incidence, irrespective of breed and location, while the 'drumstick' incidence was statistically higher (P < 0.05) in Sahelian Does, followed by RS Does and least in WAD Does. This may account for higher prolificacy frequently observed in SG, followed by RSG. However, location exhibited an infinitesimal effect on the frequency of 'drumstick' within breeds, indicating that incidence of 'drumstick' is purely a genetic factor. (author)

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[en] African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal haemorrhagic disease of domestic pigs that may results in up to 100% mortality. Although, the disease was originally described in East Africa by Montgomery in 1921, it has subsequently been reported at epizootic scale in Central, Southern and more recently West Africa. Following an initial sporadic infection reported in 1973 which was subsequently eradicated, the recent waves of epizootics was first noticed in Nigeria around September 1997 but was confirmed in November 1997. The local government areas from Ogun and Lagos States closely bordering the previously infected Benin Republic confirmed index cases. Despite the early warning systems, it seemed the country was not well prepared for the infection and the disease reporting structure appeared deficient, hence the virus spread rapidly and the quick containment of the virus was unrealistic. In the first year of infection, a total of 125,000 pigs were lost at an estimated cost of $3.5 million. Since the time of these first outbreaks, the virus has continued to infect the country with waves of epizootics and as at the time of this report, it has been confirmed that 18 of the 36 states of the country has recorded infection with loss of an estimated one million pigs. Since a good surveillance system and rapid diagnosis of transboundary animal diseases (TAD) like ASF is key to the control and effective eradication of the virus, we carried out a nationwide epidemiological surveillance (serological and virological) in the country to determine the sero-prevalence of ASF in Nigeria, the strains of the virus currently circulating in Nigeria, and plan an effective strategies for the control and eradication of the virus through the understanding of the means and routes of spread of ASF in Nigeria. Specifically, collaborations were set-up with CISA/INIA, Spain and ILRI; the country was mapped, stratified sampling with cluster sampling within each stratum was used in farm site or slaughter slab/abattoir selection. A key factor in the selection of sites includes the main pig producing, marketing and consuming areas of the country. It must be understood that religious factors prevent close association with pigs in certain regions of Nigeria and as such, it was considered a futile exercise to expend or concentrate effort in such area in a bid to carry out surveillance for African swine fever. Sera and tissues (spleen, liver, kidney, lung and lymph nodes) were collected. Laboratory tests including i-ELISA and PCR were done. The results are shown in a table. Although work is still on going on the tissue samples, approximately 51% (70/137) of the tissue tested so far are positive. These results are similar to previous reports given in regional studies carried out in Nigeria. They indicated that since 1997, the ASF virus is still in circulation in Nigeria. It has been emphasised that no effective control of ASF exist without stamping out of all infected and in-contact animals. Movement of pigs within the country added to the re-circulation of the virus

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[en] Predictions of solar radiation for 17 stations in south-east and north-east Nigeria have been made using only the maximum air temperature and relative humidity. Both yearly and seasonal estimates have been considered. For yearly estimates, the maximum percentage error MPE is about 2% for a majority of the 17 stations and does not exceed 5.4% for any station. The average absolute percentage error AAPE and the sum of percentage errors SPE are less than 1.8% and 0.7%, respectively, while the coefficient of determination R² > 0.967 for all stations. For seasonal estimates, MPE < 0.3%, SPE < 0.006% while R² ⩾ 0.9997 for all seasons and all stations. (author)

[en] The Uranium mineralization at Mike is located near Zing in Taraba State, N.E., Nigeria. The host rock consist of a sheared Pan-African medium-grained granite which is in places intruded by rhyolite and siliceous veins. Numerous joints, faults and fractures criss-cut the area. Some of the fractures are filled with secondary quartz. The ore occurs in two parallel N-S trending shear Zones with the western limb hosting a rhyolite body. Drill section reveals a subsurface extension of the mineralization. In the upper limb, mineralization consisting of metal autunite and coffinite occurs associated with the rhyolite body. In lower ore limb meta-autunite, coffinite and pitchblende occur along a set of two parallel shear surface. The pitchblende occurs massive and as vein lets in association with sulphides. The ore body is marked by distinct hydrothermal alteration zones which feature sericitization, silicification, hematization and kaolination. Reactivated regional structures of NE-SW and the N140oE and N170E played an important role in the formation of Mika mineralization. These acted as channel and as mechanical barrier for the mineralization fluid. The bimodal magmatism of the Burashika group is postulated to be related to the process of mineralization in view of the ubiquitous rhyolite in the mineralized bodies