D-galactose is widely used as an inducing reagent for animal models of aging. The aging model by D-galactose induction has similarities with natural old. In this study, we described the effect of D-galactose administration in rats against their body weight. Thirty healthy male rats aged 2 months were divided into 2 groups. Control group was treated with aqua sterile as placebo, while D-galactose group was treated with 3 mg/kg BW of D-Galactose orally every day for 6 weeks. The rats in both groups were measured using digital weigher every week. The data were analyzed descriptively for the average of body weight (g) each week and statistically for the average of weight gain (%) after 6 weeks using t-test. The average of body weight in control group from week-0 until week-6 were 119± 16.24; 144± 20.24; 160± 27.37; 170± 29.08; 179± 32.79; 197± 32.37; and 208± 32.07, while in D-galactose group were 129± 13.92; 151± 15.94; 164± 24.63; 173± 25.37; 182± 27.15; 192± 25.55; and 197± 25.55. Statistical analysis using t-test showed that there was a significant difference of average weight gain in both groups (p<0.05). The average of weight gain in control group and D-galactose group was 75.59%±21.19% and 53.76%±21.79%, respectively. D-galactose could decrease the weight gain in rat model of aging.

Indigenous chicken production has become an important source of income and protein for many households especially in the developing economies. This study was conducted to identify the common resources used and determine their level of influence on indigenous chicken production in selected wards of Kitui county using the production function approach Primary data was collected by administering structured questionnaires on 120 respondents. A multistage sampling procedure was applied where four sub counties where purposively selected followed by random selection of four wards from each sub county. Finally, 10 respondents were randomly selected from each ward. The questionnaire response rate was 83% and therefore 100 questionnaires were used for analysis. The study established that, the resources used by the indigenous chicken farmers were; poultry house, feeds, feeding traps, water traps, veterinary services and hired labour. The results of the stochastic production frontier showed that the costs of the identified resources significantly influenced the level on indigenous chicken production in the study area. Based on the results, the study suggests that: 1. there was need to educated farmers on optimum production techniques in order to cut down on costs and adjust their scale of production to match the costs and 2. Extension officers should help in mobilizing farmers into small self help groups through which the government and nongovernmental organization can assist the farmers.